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Here are some awesome outdoor yard games for kids and activities for your toddlers, preschoolers, and older kids. Group games, yard games, and outdoor toys.
We are country folk.
And one aspect of being country folk is that we love the great outdoors. When I had my 5 kids, I knew I wanted their childhood to be one of getting in the mud, playing outside, and getting plenty of vitamin D and fresh air.
Since they were toddlers they’ve spent countless hours outside. Both supervised and unsupervised.
In free play and games. Activities like nature walks or just good old family strolls and even games that are set up and organized.
Outdoor games are excellent for kids who need to release some of their hyper energy and they are a great way to get your kids off screens and get them playing in the real world.
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Yard Games For Kids
Whether you have parties coming up, want to organize some games for your children (if you have a large family like me!), or if you’ve got some neighborhood kids coming over and want to make sure you have some yard games up your sleeve…
These will help make your house the fun house.
And what mom doesn’t want her own house to be the fun house, right?
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Outdoor Games And Activities For Toddlers & Preschoolers
If you want to encourage more outdoor play, particularly during the summer months at home, these games or activities are great ways to get your little ones outside.
They require a little bit of prep, but are easy, simple, and general toddler and preschooler crowd pleasers.
⭐ Slip ‘N Slide
There’s nothing more exciting than a good old slip and slide to get the kids playing outside. It builds motor skills, helps them take a bit of managed risk (it’s scary to slide!), and plus it’ll tire them out so there won’t be any bedtime battles.
⭐ Frisbee
Throwing the frisbee takes a bit of skill, but even preschoolers can learn to do it with a bit of practice. You can get the frisbees with holes in them or different shapes to make it easier.
You can even throw and chase the frisbees, or throw them to the dog!
⭐ Fun In The Sprinklers
If you have sprinklers in your yard, don’t be shy! Turn them on and let the kids run through them with abandon. Don’t have sprinklers? A water hose will do!
⭐ Parachute
Parachutes are great when you have a few kids (and probably some adults) all together. You can put water, bubbles, soap, or toys onto the parachute and move it up and down.
You can let kids run under them or play any of these fun parachute games.
⭐ Red Light Green Light
This is a classic game of stop and go. I actually used this game the other day to help teach the kids to stop when I said STOP and to wait until I get to them. This is good for kids who tend to run away!
⭐ Simon Says
A good ole game of Simon Says keeps kids focused and watchful. If you need to keep them in one spot and feel like being Simon, this helps learn to listen closely and think before reacting.
Remember, some kids tend to be sore losers, but you can help them overcome that.
⭐ Scavenger Hunts
Scavenger hunts are a fun family activity that kids of all ages can do. Toddlers and preschoolers particularly love finding things and hunts make it such an adventure. You can do nature hunts, activity hunts, or anything in between.
Here are 30+ easy scavenger hunts your kids will love.
Life School At Home
Help prepare your kids for life, one skill at a time. Simple, easy skills every month!
⭐ Bubbles
Nothing says child magic more than bubbles. You can get bubble machines, long bubble wands, or good old fashioned bubble blower. These are a great way to pass 10 or 15 minutes outside. They make for great photo ops too!
Get packs of bubble wands here or make your own DIY bubble mixture here.
Group Yard Games
Here are some group yard games that you can play with larger groups of people. Some of these will require some props but some you can just play in a big group.
These will be family and child friendly – of course – but may require some older kids or parents around to keep the rules or explain them to the younger kids.
Yard Games For The Kiddos
Some of these are yard games for kids are quick and some are a bit more involved. Some require an adult and some do not, but either way your toddlers and preschoolers will be loving life outside with these fun activities.
⭐ Red Rover
In Red Rover, you split up into two teams. Each team lines up in a line holding hands with the people on either side of them. They hold hands tightly creating a strong chain, then call a person from the other side over to see if they can break the chain.
⭐ Hide And Go Seek
Everyone splits up and someone is It. The person who is it tries to find everyone hiding before they can get back to base. A classic children’s game that people have played for decades and never gets old.
⭐ Ring Toss
Whether you buy a ring toss set or make one of your own, this game is another class that’s fun to play in a backyard, no matter how much space you have. Play it while you’re eating popsicles or homemade ice cream.
⭐ Cornhole
This game has come into popularity in recent years and involves a slanted piece of wood with a hole in it. You stand a certain distance away from the board and try to get the bean bag into the hole. Sounds easier than it is.
⭐ Capture The Flag
Capture The Flag is a good ole classic that is great for a big group of kids when you have a large yard. Or if you’re in a park, of course. This game requires a bit of planning and coordination, but so worth it for a large gathering, like a family reunion.
⭐ Bocce
Bocce is a fun game for kids. The balls are quite large and heavy so, you know, may need to supervise this, but it’s a game that keeps on giving.
⭐ Croquet
I grew up playing croquet at my grandparents house. It involves hitting balls with a mallet through hoops. If you have a soft lawn and enough people, this is a fun game.
You can find a croquet set here.
⭐ Kick The Can
This game doesn’t need anything but a bunch of people and a can to put in the enter of the yard or field. It’s like a combination of hide and seek and capture the flag.
⭐ Races
There is something inherently competitive about kids. They want to win! They don’t want to lose! Racing is a great way to get some excess energy out. You can do relay races or just good old fashioned race from point A to point B.
Outdoor And Yard Toys You Can Buy For Your Toddlers And Preschoolers
Here are some reasonably priced toys and games your little ones can play out in the back yard. Most of these you’ll pack up after every use, but they are great to pull out for parties and get togethers.
These yard games for kids are inexpensive and fun!
⭐ Toy Rocket Launchers
These little rocket launchers can be sent off into space much to the enjoyment of little ones. You’ll need an adult to get the game started, but the kids will love watching them fly up above.
Get a rocket launcher here.
⭐ Ring Toss
This is a great game of gross motor skills, plus it helps kids take turns and work on their aim. It’s good for the whole family.
Get a ring toss set here.
⭐ Soccer Ball Set
This is actually an indoor/outdooor game so you can bring it in if the weather is bad. It has a USB chargeable hover soccer toy that you can kick into the goals that are included.
Get a goal set here.
⭐ Splash Pad
This inflatable splash pad is great for kids. It’s easy to use and install and will fit in any small backyard to give you something to do on those hot days when there’s no pool nearby.
Get your own inflatable splash pad here.
⭐ Giant Connect 4
This giant connect 4 set is fun to play in groups with little kids, older kids, and even adults. If you’ve got a family who loves board games, they’ll love this.
⭐ Horseshoe
This game is as old as time. Whether you get an old set (make your own out of old metal horseshoes) or get a new plastic one so nobody gets hurt, it’s fun for everyone.
It’s also not as easy as it looks to win this game.
Get a horseshoe set here.
⭐ Bowling Set
If your kids are running around the house knocking things down, give them something specific to knock down and aim for. These are inflatable, easy to blow up, and make for some quick simple fun for your toddlers and preschoolers.
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