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Are you looking for some fun kids games to play at the park? We have got you covered. Parks are great outdoor spaces for children to play on slides, seesaw, or monkey bars. If your kids are glued to their mobile phones and video games, it’s important to get them to play outdoors and engage in physical activities. This is crucial for their growth, fitness, and overall development. Playing outdoor games also helps improve their social skills and promote emotional well-being. As they play with others, they learn important life skills. So, as a parent, you can take your kids to a park and engage them in interesting activities. Here we are with a list to tempt them to walk outside the comfort of their home and spend an enjoyable time outside. Keep scrolling to learn some kids’ games for a fun playdate at the park and choose one that interests them.
11 Exciting Games To Play At The Park With Your Kids
1. Scavenger hunt
Scavenger hunt is a great game for exploring the different nooks and corners of your neighborhood park. Make a list of things you want the kids to find at the park. Then divide the kids into two teams. Give each team a list and bag to collect the items. Decide the place to meet after collecting all the items. The first team to arrive at the destination with all the items in the list will be the winner. You can also add educational elements to the game—for instance, ask the kids to identify different types of rocks or leaves they discover during the hunt.
2. Basketball
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Fun ball games for kids such as basketball and kickball are relaxing. So, you can encourage your child to play a friendly game of basketball in the park. If there is more than one hoop, then divide the players into two teams and play the game. If there is just one hoop, then you can play a fun game of H-O-R-S-E.
Point to consider3. Badminton
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Badminton is an exciting game to play at the park. You can easily set up the badminton net in the grassy area of the park. The players have to hit the badminton shuttle to the opponent’s side of the net. Each time the shuttle hits the ground, the opposing team will score a point. The team that attains 21 points first is the winner.
4. Frozen tag
It is one of the best picnic games for kids to play in a park-like setting. Ask the children to scatter within the playing area. Make one player ‘IT’. When the person who is ‘it’ tags the other person, he has to freeze in the exact position. You can also participate and free the frozen players.
5. Hide and seek
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Hide and seek is a traditional game played at the park. All the children except one need to hide. The seeker needs to find all the hidden players now. This game comes in the list of ideal children park games.
Did you know?6. Captain of the ship
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In this game, you can don the role of the captain. You have to call out the orders and the child who makes a mistake either has to leave the game or become a shark to catch the other players. You can say ‘hit the deck’ (lie down on their stomach), and ‘love boat’ (grab a partner and dance). Other popular commands include ‘to the ship’ (run to a swing) and ‘to the port’ (run to the left). You can also yell ‘starboard’ (run to the right) and ‘shark attack’ (run to the island before the shark tags you).
7. Capture the flag
If you can get enough children to the park, then Capture the Flag is a wonderful game to play. The object of the game is to capture a pre-identified object from the opposite team. Each team has to hide the object within the boundary. If one team tags and captures the opponents, the other team can free the captive by reaching him safely and getting a free walk back to their base.
8. Follow the leader
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Go for a nature hike in the park while playing Follow the Leader. You have to play the lead in this game, and your followers have to imitate your actions. If you bend down to look, then the kids must also bend down and look. If you jump over a twig, others must jump too. Take turns so that everyone gets to be the leader.
Quick tip9. Outdoor bowling
Fill empty water bottles with water or sand. These bottles will be the pins. Arrange the bottles in a triangle and take turns to bowl and keep score. The player who scores the maximum points wins the challenge.
10. Make a pass
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This is one of the most fun running games for kids if you are in the company of ten children. You can divide the children into two teams. Mark two goal lines about 100 feet apart. Each team has to stand behind their goal lines. The game begins with one team throwing Frisbee to the other team. The team catching the Frisbee has to pass it to its players while moving towards the opposite team’s goal line. The team that gets the Frisbee successfully over the goal line of the other team scores a point. The first team to score 21 points is the winner.
11. Duck, Duck, Goose
Among the classic group games for kids, this one needs no introduction. It can be played with any number of players. You just need enough space to allow the players to play easily. Ask the children to sit in a circle. One player is assigned as ‘it’ and has to walk outside the circle. They tap another player on their shoulder and call them either a ‘duck’ or a ‘goose.’ When they call someone ‘goose’ that player gets up and starts chasing ‘it’ before ‘it’ can take their place in the circle. If ‘it’ sits in the circle before getting caught by the goose, the goose becomes ‘it’ and walks outside the circle, looking for another player to become the next goose. If the goose manages to catch ‘it,’ ‘it’ has to sit in the center of the circle until the next player is tagged by the new ‘it’ and takes their place.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are some games that younger and older children can play together?
Games such as frisbee, relay races, tag, Simon says, red light-green light, or scavenger hunt may be played together by younger and older children.
2. How can we ensure all children feel included and engaged in a game?
To ensure that all kids feel included, select games without particular expertise and have simple rules that all may follow. Modify certain games like a hula hoop to encourage teamwork and inclusivity. Ensure that every member gets their turn and does not feel left out.
3. Are there any educational games that children can play at the park?
Children may play hopscotch, count items (number of flower pots), and identify games, such as alphabet hunt, soccer, scavenger hunt, or color theme games where they can spot things of a specific color.
4. What safety measures should I take when letting my children play outdoor games?
When playing outdoor games, always watch the kids and make sure the area is safe—ensure they play in safe, designated spots to prevent injuries. Also, remind them to drink plenty of water, especially on hot days.
If your children are hooked to their phones and video games, you should encourage them to play outside and participate in physical activities. It is critical for their general development, fitness, and growth. So, as a parent, you can take your children to a park and engage them in these interesting kids’ games to play at the park listed above. Games such as basketball, frozen tag, follow the leader, and hide-and-seek can ensure a good time. You can also encourage your children to make up their own games or arrange unique outdoor games and activities for kids such as obstacle course, jump rope, four square, and red over.
Infographic: Amazing Park Games and Activities for Children to Enjoy
Engaging in games and activities in parks can help children develop social skills, emotional intelligence, and cognitive abilities and provide a chance for them to get some exercise and fresh air. Encouraging children to engage in various outdoor activities can also help promote their overall well-being. Check out this infographic for some fun activity ideas at the park. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Key Pointers
- Engaging in physical activity is crucial for the growth, fitness, and physical and social development of children.
- Involvement of parents in their children’s playtime can improve the parent-child relationship.
- The whole family can participate in games such as scavenger hunt, basketball, hide and seek, and passing games.
- Children can enjoy spending time with their parents at a park while playing games like badminton, follow the leader, frozen tag, and bowling.
- Parents should ensure that play equipment is safe at the park and supervise their children while they play.
Illustration: Fun Games To Play At The Park With Your Kids
Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team
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