*Collaborative Post.
As soon as the school holidays roll around, it’s time to get the kids outdoors! But keeping them entertained can be a challenge. Endless hours of “I’m bored” can start to wear thin on even the most patient parent.
And keeping them stimulated away from school can be just as important as their academic education. According to research, playing outdoors can have a positive impact on kids’ physical and mental health, social skills, and creativity.
Whether you’re dealing with a group of kids or just your own, we’ve got you covered with five fun (and active) garden games that are sure to keep the kiddos happy (and tire them out!) all holidays long.
This is a classic game that can be easily tailored to any age group. Simply make a list of items that can be found in your gardens, such as a flower, a blade of grass, a seed, or a rock. Then send the kids off into the garden to see who can find the most items on the list.
For older kids, you can make the game more challenging by adding a time limit or by having them find items that are specific to a certain colour or shape.
Not only is this game a great way to get the kids moving, but it’s also an opportunity for them to learn more about the plants and animals in their own backyard. It helps to keep their minds active and engaged while they’re having fun.
An obstacle course is a great way to get the kids up and moving while also encouraging them to use their imagination. You can set up an obstacle course using whatever you have on hand, such as hula hoops, balls, jump ropes, or even just a few simple household items.
For example, you could set up a series of cones to weave in and out of, a jump rope to hop over, or a hula hoop to crawl under. Be creative and have fun with it!
You can also make the game more challenging by timing the kids to see how quickly they can complete the course. Or, you can set up a point system and award points for each task completed. The child with the most points at the end is the winner!
This is a great game for hot summer days! Fill up some water balloons and divide the kids into teams of two. The object of the game is to toss the balloon back and forth between partners without dropping it.
For each team that drops their balloon, they are out of the game. The last team standing is the winner!
Not only is this game a lot of fun, but it’s also a great way to cool off on a hot day.
Get the kids active with a game of their favourite sport in the garden. An easy game to play in the garden is tennis. All you need is a racket and a ball, and you’re good to go!
If you want to set up a net, it’s not as difficult as some may think. There are a lot of great retailers that sell tennis nets that can be set up in just a few minutes. Huck Nets stock tennis nets that are manufactured by one of the best-known tennis net manufacturers, with their products being used across clubs and competitions – including Wimbledon!
Another fun garden sport is croquet. This game is perfect for larger gardens as it requires a bit more space to play. All you need is a ball and a set of croquet wickets, and you’re ready to go!
For a real challenge, try setting up a mini golf course in your garden! This is a great game for kids of all ages and can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be.
If you’re feeling creative, you can even make your own course using everyday household items. Or, you can purchase mini golf set online or from your local toy store.
This is a classic game with a garden twist! To play, one player is chosen to be “it” and counts to 50 while the other players hide. Once the player has finished counting, they call out “ Ready or not, here I come!” and try to find the hidden players.
If the player who is “it” finds a hidden player, they can then give them a task to do, such as sing a song or hop on one foot. The hidden player must then do the task before they can be found and tagged by the player who is “it”. The first player to be tagged is the next player to be “it”.
This game is great for encouraging kids to use their imagination and be creative with their hiding spots. It’s also a lot of fun for everyone involved!
It’s important to encourage kids to be active and to play. Not only is physical activity good for their overall health, but it’s also a great way for them to develop important life skills such as cooperation, communication, and problem-solving.
In addition, play is an important part of child development. It helps kids to explore their creativity, learn new things, and build their self-confidence.
There are a lot of great benefits that come from getting the kids moving. Not only does it improve their physical health, but it also helps to boost their mood, reduces stress, and improves their cognitive function.
You don’t have to splash out on expensive toys or gadgets to get the kids moving. There are plenty of great games and activities that can be done right in your own backyard! So, get out there and have some fun!