Family games to play in the park this summer!
Scavenger hunt
Have an adult create a list of items to find, then split into teams. The team that brings back the most items wins!
This game can be adapted to fit different settings. For example, if you’re camping in the woods and want to get away from all responsibilities, set up your scavenger hunt around camp. If you want to use it as a way to build teamwork among adults in your office or workplace, make sure each team gets a list with tasks designed specifically for their skill set—for example: “Make yourself look like a superhero; it doesn’t have to be perfect but try!”
Frisbee
-
How to play: Frisbee is a game that anyone can play, but it’s best if you have two teams. To start the game, each team lines up on opposite sides of the field and takes turns throwing the frisbee to each other while trying not to drop it. The person who catches the frisbee then passes it back to their team members.
-
How to throw: Make sure your arm is straight as you throw the disk so that it goes far and doesn’t wobble around too much.
-
How to catch: When catching a flying disk, jump up high in order for your hands and arms to reach higher than normal—this will help make sure that you don’t miss!
Simon says
Play Simon Says. This classic game is great for kids, but it's also a fun way to get exercise. To play, you'll need:
-
Enough people for each team to have four or five members. You should split into teams of roughly equal size (if there are more players than teams, you can assign them randomly).
-
A leader who will say "Simon says" and then add an instruction like "touch your nose," "put your finger in your ear," or whatever else comes to mind. The goal is for the players on the other team to follow this instruction without giving away that they know what's coming next by saying "Simon says." If someone says something like "I don't know what that means" before doing it—or if they simply do not perform the action—they're out and must return to their side of the field as quickly as possible while being chased by everyone else on their team!
Hopscotch
Hopscotch, also known as "court" or "jumping the squares," is a timeless game that has been played by children all over the world since ancient times. The most important thing to remember about hopscotch—besides drawing it on the ground with chalk—is that it's really fun! You can play with friends or family, and you don't need any equipment except for chalk and maybe some marbles for keeping score.
Hopscotch can be played almost anywhere there's pavement or concrete: in parks, on sidewalks, even inside your house if you want (though I'd advise against it). Just make sure there are no holes in your sidewalk before playing!
At least two people can play at once; however, if one person wants to play alone they'll have to hop across their own square pattern while trying not to step into another player's pattern. This can get tricky when everyone else is playing at once so it's best if just one person plays at a time unless they don't mind having different patterns overlapping each other occasionally so long as they aren't touching any other colors than their own color block."
Tag
Tag is a game that's both easy to learn and fun for all ages. This classic playground game is played by one player chasing the others around until they are tagged by the "it" person, who then becomes it themselves. It's also a great way to burn off some energy before dinner!
Sandbox relay race
Make a path of sand through the sandbox (so you can't see it, then you'll have to use your legs to find it!). Have each person race to see who can run the fastest. You can use different body parts to run through the sand, such as your hands and feet. This is a fun activity for children and adults alike!
Enjoying family time together doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. Try some of these ideas!
Games that don't require lots of equipment are great for family time. You can play them anywhere!
-
The park. The best part about playing games at the park is that there's usually a lot going on, so it's easy for everyone to stay entertained and engaged.
-
The beach. If you're lucky enough to have a beach nearby, this is where you want to be spending your summertime! Beach games are always fun because they're casual and relaxed--plus they involve getting wet and sandy (if you're into that sort of thing).