Top Outdoor Games to Play with Kids: Fun and Active Games That Get the Whole Family Moving Outside

Top Outdoor Games to Play with Kids: Fun and Active Games That Get the Whole Family Moving Outside

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Few things bring joy and connection quite like a day spent playing outside. In a world where screens often take center stage, outdoor games offer a refreshing reminder of how fun simple activities can be. Whether you have a spacious backyard, a local park, or just a small patch of grass, there are countless ways to inspire kids to move, explore, and play creatively.

Here are some of the best outdoor games to get everyone—young and old—off the couch and into the sunshine.

1. Classic Games That Never Go Out of Style

Sometimes, the old favorites are the best. Games like tag, hide-and-seek, and capture the flag have lasted generations for good reason. They’re easy to set up, require little to no equipment, and allow for endless creativity.

If you want to add a fun twist, try using glow sticks or LED bracelets for nighttime play—kids will love the excitement of running around under the stars. We love these snap bracelets that light up when the kids play team capture the flag at night. (6PCS Led Light Up Slap Wristband - https://amzn.to/4q2RBMy)

2. Obstacle Courses and Backyard Challenges

Turn your yard into a mini adventure zone. Use cones, jump ropes, hula hoops, and garden furniture to create a timed obstacle course. Encourage the kids to take turns setting up new challenges.

You can add simple fitness stations—like hopping on one leg, crawling under a rope, or balancing on a plank—for both fun and exercise.

3. Water Games for Hot Days

When the temperature climbs, there’s nothing better than cooling off with water play. Classic water balloon tosses, sprinkler runs, and sponge relays are always a hit.

For something more exciting, consider a slip-and-slide or a small inflatable splash pad—they’re budget-friendly ways to keep everyone active and cool all afternoon.

We live by the sprinkler run, the slip-n-slide and the splash pad for our youngest daughter. These are the ones we definitely recommend:

• WOW Sports Super Slide Giant Backyard Slip and Water Slide with Sprinkler, Extra Long, 25 x 6 ft - https://amzn.to/42yN8XT

• Hydro Swirl Spinning Sprinkler - https://amzn.to/48TSkta

• 127 inch Extra Large Non-Slip Splash Pad - https://amzn.to/4mTIw5G

4. Nature Scavenger Hunts

Encourage kids to explore and learn about nature through a scavenger hunt. Make a list of outdoor treasures like pinecones, feathers, smooth stones, or specific leaf shapes. This game encourages observation skills and appreciation for the natural world.

You can tailor hunts by theme—like colors, textures, or seasonal changes—and even include a small magnifying glass for closer discoveries.

We do outdoor bingo scavenger hunts with these super handy bingo cards. 30 Pcs Nature Scavenger Hunt for Kids - https://amzn.to/4nHaWBf

5. Creative Play with Chalk and Bubbles

For younger kids, sidewalk chalk and bubbles open a world of imagination. Draw hopscotch grids, make obstacle paths, or create “lava floors” to jump across. Bubbles, meanwhile, encourage running, chasing, and laughter.

It’s simple fun that sparks creativity and movement—perfect for spontaneous afternoons outside.

Chalk you can get anywhere, but our toddler loves the Gazillion Bubbles, Hurricane Bubble Making Machine. Pro-tip, add a couple squirts of dawn to the ready mix bubble solution to get a more durable bubble. https://amzn.to/4pYYu1c

6. Team Games for Family Bonding

If you have older kids or multiple families joining, team-based games like kickball, volleyball, or cornhole bring everyone together. These games promote teamwork and friendly competition while getting hearts pumping.

A compact cornhole set or portable badminton kit is a great addition to any backyard and easy to pack for picnics or camping trips.

Cornhole is the way to go, no skills necessary although it does help. https://amzn.to/42rIj2A

7. Evening Games Under the Stars

When the sun goes down, the fun doesn’t have to end. Set up an outdoor movie night, flashlight tag, or firefly chase(in areas where they thrive). Use string lights or solar lanterns to keep your yard softly lit for safety and ambiance.

It’s a beautiful way to wind down the day and create lasting memories before bedtime.

Movie nights are standard for us in the summertime. The only hard part is the sun sets so late for us that sometimes a full movie night doesn't start with the kids until 10pm. But we do love our projector hooked to our fire stick for the perfect night time under the stars.

Outdoor-Projector-4K with Wifi6 and Bluetooth, Smart TV OS & DoIby, Portable Projector with Netflix/YouTube/PrimeVideo - https://amzn.to/4mUfQK4

Making Outdoor Play a Family Habit

The key to keeping kids active is consistency—set aside time each week for family play outdoors. It doesn’t need to be structured or expensive. The most memorable games are often spontaneous ones that start with a laugh and end with everyone smiling, grass-stained, and happily tired.