No more duck, duck, goose for this crowd. School-age kids are
more sophisticated than preschoolers when it comes to games. They
can play more complex games, juggle multiple roles, and enjoy the
challenge of figuring out strategies.
Getting Started
Some kids will take as much active play as they can get, while
others enjoy less. Whether it's a birthday party or a summer
picnic, games are a great way to involve all kids in being active.
Grade school is a time of building identity and self-esteem, so
encourage every kid in your group to enjoy the game and find ways
to make sure that everyone is able to participate.
The following games are great for any outdoor event, and
we've included some rainy-day games too.
Game: Snake in the Gutter
Number of kids:
6 or more.
How the game is played:
Depending on the number of kids, make at least three kids the
snakes. Have the snakes form the gutter by standing in a line with
wide spaces between them, facing the rest of the kids, who should
be at a distance. The adult in charge (or a child) yells,
"Snake in the gutter!" The children attempt to run
through the gutter without being tagged by a snake. Those who get
tagged are now snakes and stay in the gutter. Those who make it
through can make another run through the gutter. But anyone who was
tagged must join the snakes. Continue the game until everyone has
been caught.
Tips for adults:
If a child is fearful of making a run through the gutter, help him
or her brainstorm a way to get through (or partner two kids up to
make a plan).
What the game teaches:
Agility, problem-solving.
Game: Giants, Wizards, and Elves
Number of kids:
at least 4, but best for larger groups.
How the game is played:
This is a whole-body game based on Rock, Paper, Scissors. Before
you begin, explain these rules to the players:
- Giants conquer wizards. To be a giant, raise your arms high
above your head.
- Wizards conquer elves. To be a wizard, make a triangle with
your arms over your head (like a wizard hat).
- Elves conquer giants. To be an elf, place your hands
alongside your ears with index fingers extended.
Divide the kids into two teams with a space of about 4 feet
between them. Direct each team to retreat a few feet for a huddle
to decide which they will be: giants, wizards, or elves. In their
huddles, each team decides what they will be, plus a backup choice.
Then they come back to their 4-feet-apart stance. On a count of
three, each team yells what they are. If one team yells
"Elves!" and the other yells "Wizards!," the
wizard team will chase the elves to their safe zone (you can mark
these with cones or use a tree or other found object). Anyone who
is tagged becomes part of the opposing team. If both teams yell the
same creature, they do it over using their backup choice.
Tips for adults:
A simper version of this game, called Crows and Cranes, works well
for younger children. In this variation, the adult designates one
team as Crows and the other as Cranes. The teams line up in the
same fashion as above. The adult chooses the chaser team by yelling
either "Crows!" or "Cranes!" The identical
sounds at the beginning of the words add to the suspense as the
teams wait to find out who will chase and who will flee.
What the game teaches:
Agility, listening skills, teamwork.
Game: Ready, Aim, Throw!
Number of kids:
at least 4.
How the game is played:
You'll need several blindfolds and a few soft balls (foam balls
are good choices). The children partner up, and one kid in
each pair is blindfolded. The partner who can see leads the
blindfolded partner by the arm. The object of the game is to get
the blindfolded partner to throw the ball at another blindfolded
player, then to get the second blindfolded partner to pick it up
and throw it at another blindfolded player. If a player is hit
twice, the pair is out and heads to the sidelines to watch the
game. Kids can help their blindfolded partners defend by telling
them when to duck or move in a particular direction.
Tips for adults:
Before playing, remind kids that safety is important. Have the
blindfolded kids walk with hands up in front of them for
"bumpers" to avoid collisions. Demonstrate how to lead a
partner by the arm and direct him or her to the ball: "Go
forward three steps. Now squat down and reach out with your left
hand." Remind the kids to tune in to their partner's
voice. Also, be sure that kids aren't throwing the balls at very
close range. For a fun variation, have kids lead partners without
touching, only with the voice. When you've played once, switch
the blindfold to the other player. This game can also be played by
a group of adults!
What this game teaches:
Teamwork, listening, motor skills.
Rainy-Day Games
Game: Bottle Bowling
Number of kids:
2, 4, or 6.
How the game is played:
For this game, you'll need several empty two-liter soda bottles
and a few balls (smaller ones like tennis balls are best). Line the
bottles up in a row. Divide the group of kids in half, one group
standing on either side of the bottles at a distance. Each team
gets a chance to try and knock down the bottles as quickly as they
can. The adult times the kids and names the winner.
Tips for adults:
Another version of this game uses clear bottles and green bottles.
The team on one side tries to knock down clear bottles, and the
other team knocks down the green ones. Kids may add their own rules
to this game, such as a penalty for knocking down the wrong color.
Go with the flow, making sure everyone understands any additional
rules that pop up.
What the game teaches:
Motor skills, teamwork.
Game: Scavenger Hunt
Number of kids:
1 to 4 (more if you are playing outside).
How the game is played:
Gather some easily recognizable objects and hide them around a
couple rooms of the house. Give each child a list of items to look
for and clues to help them find the objects.
Tips for adults:
You can pair kids up or assign teams to play. This game also works
well outdoors provided you set some boundaries (the edges of the
yard, certain spots in the park) for the kids to work inside.
What the game teaches:
Problem-solving, teamwork.
Tag Games
Most of us probably remember playing tag as kids, chasing
everyone amid shouts of "Tag, you're it!" Tag is
a great outdoor game, providing kids with great exercise and lots
of excitement. You can use these variations for anywhere from four
kids to larger groups.
Game: Blob Tag
How the game is played:
When the tagger tags someone, they join hands to form a tagging
pair. They now chase while holding hands, moving as a
"blob." When they tag someone else, that person joins
hands and becomes part of the tagging blob. The members of the
tagging blob have to work together to keep moving in the same
direction to achieve their goal.
Tips for adults:
Break up groups of four into two-person blobs to minimize confusion
and stepped-on toes.
Game: Tunnel Tag
Tunnel tag is a variation on freeze tag. In freeze tag, kids
"freeze" in the position they're in when tagged. In
tunnel tag, someone has to crawl through a child's feet to
"unfreeze" him or her so they can rejoin the game.
Game: Vegetable/Fruit Tag
How the game is played:
When a tagger approaches a child in this game, he or she must squat
down and say the name of a vegetable or fruit for protection. If
the tagger gets you first, you also become "it."
Game: Band-Aid Tag
How the game is played:
In this variation, when a child is tagged, he or she places a hand
on the spot that was tagged. The child must keep a hand on that
spot for the rest of the game. If the child gets tagged a second
time, a hand must be placed on the second spot. Now the child has
used up all the band-aids. If tagged a third time, the child must
go to the "hospital" (the sidelines) and do five jumping
jacks to "get well" and rejoin the game.
What the game teaches:
Motor skill, agility, and teamwork.
Reviewed by:
Mary L. Gavin, MD
Date reviewed: February 2009
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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