
Every family needs a great outdoors games list to work there way through to find their favourites. there are SO many benefits to outdoor play!
The benefits of playing outside & why you need an Outdoor Games List
Engaging in outdoor games provides a wide range of benefits for individuals, especially children. Here are 20 advantages of playing outdoor games:
- Physical Exercise: Outdoor games involve physical activity, promoting fitness and health.
- Vitamin D Absorption: Sunlight exposure during outdoor play helps in the production of vitamin D, crucial for bone health.
- Improved Motor Skills: Activities like running, jumping, and throwing improve coordination and motor skills.
- Enhanced Social Skills: Interacting with others in outdoor games fosters teamwork, communication, and cooperation.
- Emotional Well-being: Physical activity triggers the release of endorphins, reducing stress and promoting happiness.
- Boosts Creativity: Outdoor play encourages imagination and creativity, leading to inventive thinking.
- Cognitive Development: Games often involve problem-solving and strategy, enhancing cognitive skills.
- Better Concentration: Regular outdoor activities are linked to improved focus and attention span.
- Stress Reduction: Being in nature and engaging in play reduces cortisol levels, decreasing stress.
- Enhanced Sleep: Physical activity outdoors can lead to better sleep patterns.
- Appreciation for Nature: Outdoor play instills a love for nature and a sense of environmental responsibility.
- Healthy Competition: Learning to win and lose gracefully fosters sportsmanship and resilience.
- Improved Immune System: Exposure to different environments can strengthen the immune system.
- Risk Management: Outdoor play helps children learn to assess risks and make decisions independently.
- Time Management: Organizing outdoor games teaches kids about planning and managing time effectively.
- Better Vision: Outdoor activities may contribute to reducing the risk of myopia (nearsightedness) in children.
- Boosts Confidence: Mastering skills and succeeding in games boosts self-esteem and confidence.
- Embracing Nature: Outdoor games cultivate an appreciation for the natural world and its wonders.
- Camaraderie: Playing with peers builds bonds and friendships that can last a lifetime.
- Lifelong Habits: Children who enjoy outdoor activities are more likely to maintain an active lifestyle as adults.
Encouraging outdoor play is a holistic approach to child development, providing physical, mental, and social benefits. Lets take a look at our outdoors games list and see how many you have tried!
Take look at his list of fun family walks for kids to find inspiration too.
A year of nature walks and games ( a HUGE outdoor games list of ideas)
A year of nature walks and games has an huge outdoor games list that follows the season and covers everything from park games to beach games, camping games to lawn games, girl scout games to night time c games and more. it iwll delight the whole family! and if s it is filled with lovely images of outdoor games too to help you feel inspired.
100 outdoor games list for kids and families:
- Tag
- Hide and Seek
- Duck, Duck, Goose
- Red Light, Green Light
- Kick the Can
- Capture the Flag
- Simon Says
- Musical Chairs
- Sack Race
- Tug of War
- Obstacle Course
- Hopscotch
- Three-Legged Race
- Balloon Pop
- Scavenger Hunt
- Freeze Tag
- Kickball
- Hula Hoop Contest
- Limbo
- Water Balloon Toss
- Wheelbarrow Race
- Egg and Spoon Race
- Ring Toss
- Bean Bag Toss
- Nature Hunt
- Shadow Tag
- Hiking
- Bike Riding
- Jump Rope
- Chalk Drawing
- Blindfolded Obstacle Course
- Nature Scavenger Hunt
- Frisbee
- Pictionary
- Kite Flying
- Rock Painting
- Simon Says with a Twist
- Horse Shoes
- Marbles
- Capture the Flag REDUX
- Tin Can Stilts
- Dodgeball
- Juggling
- Paper Airplane Contest
- Nature Art
- Play in the Sprinklers
- Bubble Blowing
- Fishing
- Bird Watching
- Yoga in the Park
- Mini-Golf
- Soccer
- Volleyball
- Badminton
- Tennis
- Slacklining
- Croquet
- Water Gun Fight
- star gaze
- Rock Climbing
- Nature Bingo
- Geocaching
- Play in the Sand
- Leaf Printing
- Picnic
- Face Painting
- Jumping in Puddles
- Make a Scarecrow
- Homemade Water Slide
- Outdoor Movie Night
- Play with Remote Control Cars
- Build a Fort
- Make a Sundial
- Cookout
- Play with Bubbles
- Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest
- Outdoor Science Experiments
- Storytelling Under the Stars
- Play with Glow Sticks
- Stargazing
- Outdoor Concerts
- Make Friendship Bracelets
- Create a Family Banner
- Play with Chalk Bombs
- Outdoor Yoga
- Paper Boat Race
- Visit a Farmer’s Market
- Scarecrow Tag
- Outdoor Board Games
- Fly a Kite
- Outdoor Cooking
- Plant a Tree
- Climb a Tree
- Build a Sandcastle
- Visit a Botanical Garden
- Outdoor Art Show
- Outdoor Karaoke
- Fruit Picking
- Bocce Ball
- Jewellery Making with Nature Finds
Feel free to copy this outdoor games list. And when you use your outdoor games list check off the activities as you enjoy them with your family!
You might also like to take a look these cool yard games
Further reading on from this outdoor games list
You might also like my post on nature games with kids
and how about these instrument family games?