Here is a list of some fun summer games for kids to play outside. All games are free or very low in cost to play. We also give a quick summary about how to play each game. Enjoy the summer!
Water Balloon Toss
Fill up a bunch of water balloons and have kids pair up. They toss the balloon back and forth, taking a step back each time they successfully catch it. The last pair with an unbroken water balloon wins!
Freeze Tag
One player is “it” and tries to tag the other players. Once a player is tagged, they have to freeze in place until another player unfreezes them by crawling through their legs.
Scavenger Hunt
Create a list of items for kids to find around the yard or neighborhood. You can make it a race by timing them and awarding prizes for the fastest finisher.
Simon Says
This classic game is perfect for outdoor play. The person who is “Simon” gives commands, and players have to follow them only if “Simon says” first.
Obstacle Course
Set up an obstacle course in your backyard or at a park using items like hula hoops, cones, and jump ropes. Kids can race against each other, and you can time them for an added challenge.
Water Gun Fight
Give each kid a water gun and let them run around the yard squirting each other. You can set up “bases” for each team to protect, or just let them run wild! This is a great game to play on a hot summer day to cool down!
Red Light, Green Light
One player is “it” and stands at one end of the yard. The other players stand at the other end. When “it” calls out “green light,” the players run towards them. But when they call out “red light,” the players have to freeze. The first person to reach “it” wins and becomes the next “it.”
Kick the Can
Set up an empty can in the center of the playing area and have one player be “it”. The other players hide while “it” tries to find them. If “it” tags a player, they are sent to jail. But, if a player kicks the can without being tagged, all jailed players are freed.
Four Square
Draw a large square and divide it into four smaller squares. Each player stands in one square and must hit the ball into another player’s square without it bouncing twice. If the ball bounces twice, that player is out and moves to the end of the line.
Capture the Flag
Divide players into two teams and give each team a flag to hide in their territory. The goal is to capture the other team’s flag and bring it back to your own territory without being tagged by an opponent.
Hopscotch
Draw a hopscotch grid on the ground with chalk and have players take turns hopping through it. They toss a small object like a pebble onto the grid and must hop over that square without touching it.
Frisbee Golf
Set up targets (such as trash cans or trees) around a course and have players throw a frisbee towards each target. The player who takes the fewest throws to hit all the targets wins.
Tug of War
Divide players into two teams and have them pull on opposite ends of a rope. The team that pulls the other team over a line wins.
Mother May I
One player is “mother” and stands at the end of the playing area. The other players ask “mother” if they can take a certain number of steps or do a certain action (such as hop on one foot). “Mother” can grant or deny the request, and the first player to reach “mother” wins.
Balloon Volleyball
Use a beach ball or balloon as a volleyball and have players hit it back and forth over a “net” (a string or rope tied between two trees). The team that lets the ball touch the ground on their side loses.
Thank You For Reading This List of Outdoor Fun Summer Games For Kids
We hope you enjoyed this list of fun summer games for kids. Leave a comment below and let us know which game is your favorite!