Are your students tired of spending their days indoors? When the weather gets warmer, it’s nice to get your class outside so they can really stretch their legs and get some fresh air.
Of course, there are the classic games that you can get your kids involved with, these being running, soccer, tennis, etc. But sometimes, you want something a little more interesting.
Outdoor activities not only promote physical fitness but also help kids develop essential social and collaborative skills.
In this article, we’re going to look at ten super fun outdoor PE games that will get kids moving, laughing, and engaged in healthy competition.
Whether you’re a parent looking for some weekend fun or a PE teacher planning an exciting lesson, these games will surely become a hit with kids of all ages.
1. Tag
Let’s kick off our list with a classic favorite – tag. This timeless game never goes out of style, and kids love it. All you have to do is gather your children together in an open area and pick a child to be “it”.
This mission is to tag other players, who then become “it”. The game continues until everyone has been tagged.
Something that we love about tag is how many different versions of tag there are, depending on how complicated or physically demanding you want the game to be.
Freeze Tag: Once you’ve been tagged, you stand still until someone performs a pre-agreed action to free you
Link Tag: Like freeze tag, but you can’t be freed. Once tagged, you have to link arms with the closest other tagged person around until the whole group is part of the link.
2. Find The Destination
Gather your kids into groups. If you have a playground with different landmarks, like a basketball court, water fountain, bike rack, etc., then you can play “Find The Destination” for a fun and engaging scavenger hunt that will get them moving quickly and challenge their puzzle-solving skills.
Give your kids an initial clue that leads them to one location; once there, they will find a clue for the next location.
Eventually, they will reach the final destination and finish the game. The first team to get to the final destination wins!
Top Tip: This game doesn’t have to be complicated; you just need to come up with some simple clues and set them in each location before the game starts.
3. Capture The Flag
“Capture The Flag” is a team-based outdoor PE game that combines strategy, teamwork, and physical fitness. Divide the kids into two teams, each with its flag placed at the team’s “home base.”
The objective is to capture the opposing team’s flag and bring it back to your team’s base without being tagged by opponents.
If a player is a tagger, they have to go to the opponent’s “jail” until a teammate rescues them.
This game not only encourages running and physical activity but also teamwork and strategy as players plan their attacks and defenses.
Top Tip: Encourage your kids to spend some time planning before the game starts.
4. Captain’s Orders
This next game is a fun and engaging outdoor game that incorporates physical activity with creative thinking.
Designate one child as the “captain” who gives orders to the rest of the group. The captain can call out various commands such as “jump like a kangaroo,” “waddle like a penguin,” or “spin like a top.”
The other children must follow the captain’s orders and execute the actions.
The twist is that the captain can try to trick the others by not saying “Captain’s Orders” before giving a command, and anyone who follows that command is out.
The last child remaining becomes the new captain.
Top Tip: For added fun, bring a captain’s hat for the captain to wear.
5. Scavenger Hunts
Scavenger hunts are an excellent way to get kids moving while nurturing their problem-solving skills. Create a list of items or clues for the kids to find in a designated outdoor area.
Divide the children into teams or let them work individually, arms with their lists or clues. The first one or team to find all the items or complete all the clues wins.
You can customize the scavenger hunts to match the theme of the outdoor space, making it both educational and enjoyable.
Top Tip: You don’t have to prepare anything; just make the items on the list things that are available in your location, like a stick or a flower, etc.
6. Crazy Hoops
Combine basketball with a twist of fun in “crazy hoops.” Set up hoops at various heights and angles around the outdoor area.
Assign different point values to each hoop based on the level of difficulty. Kids take turns shooting a basketball into the hoops, aiming to score as many points as possible.
You can make it even more entertaining by challenging them to make trick shots or use unconventional shooting methods.
Crazy Hoops not only enhances basketball skills but also promotes healthy competition and physical activity.
Top Tip: Switch up the sizes of the hoops for added difficulty.
7. Fartlek Runs
“Fartlek Runs” is a fantastic way to introduce kids to interval training while keeping it fun. This game involves alternating between periods of high-intensity running and slower jogging or walking.
Create a course with markers or cones and assign different activities or challenges to each marker. For example, at one marker, kids might have to do jumping jacks, and at another, they could perform a silly dance.
Between these activity markers, they should run at a brisk pace. Fartlek Runs not only improves cardiovascular fitness but also adds an element of excitement and unpredictability to outdoor PE classes.
Top Tip: You can scale the intensity of the activities depending on the age and ability of your students.
8. Relay
Relay races are a classic outdoor PR game that fosters teamwork and friendly competition. Divide the kids into teams and set up a relay course with defined start and finish lines.
Each team member takes turns running a designated distance, often passing a baton to the next runner. The team that completes the relay race first wins.
You can make relay races even more entertaining by incorporating various challenges or obstacles along the course. Relay races promote teamwork, communication, and physical fitness.
Top Tip: To add some variety, use bean bags or hula hoops as your batons.
9. Frisbee Golf
Also known as “disc golf,” frisbee golf is a fantastically fun outdoor game that combines the precision of golf with the excitement of Frisbee throwing.
Create a “course” with a series of target areas or baskets, each marked with the number of throws it takes to reach the target.
Kids take turns trying to complete the course in as few throws as possible. Frisbee golf not only enhances hand-eye coordination but also encourages kids to enjoy the great outdoors while engaging in low-impact physical activity.
Top Tip: Use your environment, for example, if there are hills or trees, to create more of a challenge for your golf.
10. Bowling
Bring the fun of bowling to the great outdoors with a game of “outdoor bowling.” Set up pins (or any suitable objects) at one end of the grassy area and mark a throwing line for the kids.
Each child takes a turn trying to knock down the pins by rolling a ball (a soccer ball, basketball, or even a beach ball will do) from the throwing line.
Assign point values to the pins based on their position or size. This game not only improves throwing accuracy but also provides a unique twist on a familiar activity.
Top Tip: Mix your pins up with smaller, lighter pins and larger, heavier pins for more of a challenge.
Final Thoughts
Incorporating these ten super fun outdoor PE games into your child’s routine or PE class can make physical activity enjoyable and memorable.
They offer a delightful way for kids to burn off energy, build physical fitness, and develop essential social and cognitive skills.
So, whether you’re planning a family day in the park or an outdoor PE lesson, remember that these games are all about having fun while staying active.
Get out there, get moving, and watch as your kids grow stronger, more confident, and healthier, all while creating unforgettable memories.
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