200 Games for Kids - Indoor and Outdoor Activities for Kids to Play at Home

Hello, and welcome to the wonderful world of games for kids. This article has 200 of them! There are classic games with cool twists, as well as tons of brand-new games. Some even use modern things like Snapchat and YouTube.

These games are perfect for birthday parties, rainy days, cottages, summer vacation, or any time the kids are bored.

There are games for every season. Many can be played indoor and outdoor. There are water games, snow games, drawing games, storytelling games, and even some math and science games. Most games involve physical activity like running, jumping, swimming, and throwing stuff. A few games even involve the family dog.

Each game comes with an optional “Hard mode” which increases the difficulty. So, if you’re playing with older kids (tweens, teens, adults) you can make it tougher for them, while keeping it simple for the kids.

Many games can be played inside or outside. (Water games can be played at in indoor pool.)

You can also modify the games if you think the rules are too tough or too easy. They were designed for ages 4-12, but everyone can play.

Most games encourage a spirit of competition, but there are also some arts and crafts and storytelling games which are just for fun.

Some games have voting. Just don’t let kids vote for their own thing. It’s more fun and ensures it isn’t just a popularity contest. You could also do a blind vote, where kids vote on the best whatever without knowing who made it.

You can modify the games. Many games can be played in sand, water, mud, snow, or leaves. Get creative!

Have fun and thanks for reading.

Squid Attack!

Everyone sits on a raft in the center of the pool. (Can also be played in a lake.)  The Lifeguard stands outside of the water and runs the game. Players can’t move from the raft until the Lifeguard yells, “Squid attack!” Then everyone jumps off the raft and swims to shore. The slowest person is eaten by the squid and is out. Play until one player is left.

You’ll need: Pool/lake, and a raft.

Hard mode: Players must hold on to pool noodles at all times.

Jobimals

Players select a random job and a random animal, either by picking them or using an online generator. Then they try to draw the animal doing the job. Like a gorilla dentist, or a lion firefighter.

Once they’ve drawn the picture, it’s time to color it in! Grab your colored pencils and get it to work.

You’ll need: Random lists of jobs and animals, paper, colored pencils

Hard mode: Put a time limit on drawing. Best drawing wins. (Can’t vote for your own.)

Fake News or Real News

Separate into two teams. Players take turns reading headlines from newspapers. They can either read headlines from real newspapers, or fake headlines from satire news sites like The Onion or The Beaverton. The other team must guess if it’s real news or fake news. If they guess right, they score a point. Play until 10 points.

You’ll need: Two phones/tablets

Hard mode: Players can swap one word from headline with any word they want.

Snapchat Scavenger Hunt

Separate into two teams.

Create a list of activities to perform, or objects to take a picture of.

Each team nominates a captain and this person will take the photos/videos and post them to their story.

The first one to complete the scavenger hunt wins.

You’ll need: Two phones.

Hard mode: Require a specific filter for each challenge.

LEGO Treasure Hunt

Set out clues around the house or yard to find all the pieces to a LEGO kit.

Each clue can direct the players to the next clue until all the pieces are found.

You’ll need: LEGO bricks, and a LEGO instruction manual.

Hard mode: Don’t including the LEGO kit instructions. Let the kids figure out what to build on their own!

Three-Legged Pirate Race

In teams of two, tie side-by-side legs together to make one peg leg, then race to the finish using coordination and communication!

Bonus points for any team that cackles like a pirate.

Yarrrr!!! It’s more fun if you dress up like pirates as well.

You’ll need: Tape or string to tie the legs together, as well as pirate stuff for dressing up,

Hard mode: Add eyepatches.

Stick Frisby

For setup you’ll need two sticks, some plastic cups, and a frisbee.

Plant two sticks like goal posts, approximately one foot apart from each other, and put a plastic cup on the top of each stick (bottom facing the sky.)

Walk 15 paces and then plant the other two sticks and do the same thing with the cups.

Each team takes turns throwing the frisbee at the other team’s sticks.

If you throw the frisbee between the sticks, you get one point.

If you knock one of the cups off, you get two points.

If a cup is knocked off but a player catches it before it hits the ground, no points are scored. Play until one team reaches 10 points.

You’ll need: Four sticks, four plastic cups, and a frisbee.

Hard mode: Players must balance on one foot and/or throw the frisbee with their bad hand.

Bubble Bonanza

Players blows bubbles until they get a bubble the size of their head. Once it’s floating they try to catch it with a tennis racket. Then they run around an obstacle course without losing their bubble. The winner is either the first person to cross the finish line, or the person with the fastest time.

You’ll need: Things to blow bubbles with, a tennis racket, and an obstacle course.

Hard mode: Two bubbles, and/or you can only use one arm.

Stupid Movie Lines

Download the script/screenplay to a movie or TV show that everyone in the group has seen.

One player (or parent) picks a line, players have three minutes to write a new line on a scrap of paper. Throw the scraps into a hat.

One player reads the scraps and then everyone votes for their favorite line (can’t vote for yours.) Player with the most votes gets a point.

You’ll need: Paper, movie lines.

Hard mode: Less time.

Flashlight Star Wars

Players need flashlights, and their favorite Star Wars movie. (The flashlights will be lightsabers.)

Break into teams and reenact your favorite scene from the movie.

Once you’re done, post it to social media and see which one gets more likes.

That team wins the round. Play until you’re bored.

You’ll need: Flashlights, and a Star Wars movie.

Hard mode: Longer scenes.

Glowstick Tag

Grab some glowsticks that you can wrap around your neck, arms, and legs.  You’ll need one glowstick for each player.

Someone starts out as the Glow Virus. Their job is to tag all the other players. If the Glow Virus tags someone, they give them a few glowsticks and that person is now on team Glow Virus. Keep tagging until everyone is glowing.

You’ll need: Glowsticks.

Hard mode: The Glow Virus can only tag with their shoulders.

Hot Potatomallow

This is played like the game of hot potato, except instead of a potato you’ll be sitting around a campfire roasting a marshmallow on a stick.

With some music playing, players pass the stick around the campfire, making sure the marshmallow doesn’t leave the fire. Whoever is holding the stick when the music stops has to eat it.

You’ll need: Marshmallows, a stick, something to play music.

Hard mode: Players can only pass the stick using their bad hand.

Ice Cube Relay Race

Split into teams of 4. Players race around an obstacle course with spoons. On each spoon is an ice cube. At certain points in the course you must pass the ice cube to your teammate with the spoon.

If someone drops an ice cube, they must restart of their chunk of the relay race.

You’ll need: Spoons, ice cubes, an obstacle course.

Hard mode: Smaller teams, longer race.

Would You Rather Game

Take turns asking each other funny Would You Rather questions.

You can either buy/download a book of questions or write your own. The sillier the questions, the more fun the game is.

Would you rather… be a mad scientist, or a secret agent?

You’ll need: An imagination.

Hard mode: Players must answer the question as though they were a ___________ (you decide.)

Horseshoes and Hand Grenades

Grab some water balloons and chalk. Separate into two teams. (Best played on a hot sunny day when the pavement dries quickly.)

Draw some targets circles onto the pavement far enough away from each other that it’s tough to throw the balloons accurately. Each circle should have three rings.

The goal is to throw the balloons outside the circle and have them explode on the pavement. You want the splash from the exploding balloon to land inside the circle.

If water splash lands in the outer circle, that team scores 1 point. If it lands in the second circle, they score 2 points. If it lands in the smallest inner circle, that’s a bullseye and you get 3 points. If a water balloon lands inside the circles, you get zero points. Play until one team reaches 15 points.

You’ll need: Chalk, lots of water balloons, pavement, and a hot sunny day.

Hard mode: Shrink the bullseye, and/or widen the distance between the two teams.

Shooting Alphabet Stars

Everyone lies down on the grass and stares up at the night sky. The first person to see a shooting star yells out a name that starts with A, like Aaron (Names must have at least 4 letters.) The next person to see a shooting star yells out a name that starts with B, like Brenda.

Play until you get to Z. Each name scores a point. If two people say a name at the same time they both score points.

You’ll need: Night sky.

Hard mode: Names must be at least six letters long.

Pirate Treasure Hunt

Everyone dresses up as pirates and separates into two teams. Both sides draw a treasure map and hide some treasure (candy, toy, or whatever) somewhere nearby.

Make sure that X marks the spot, but don’t make it too easy. Use a riddle for the final hiding spot.

Once a parent has approved the maps, trade maps with the other team and go find the treasure!

You’ll need: Paper, pencils, treasure.

Hard mode: Pirates can only say “Yarr” and “Avast.” (Yes and no.)

Pool Long-Jump

Make a long jump course in a pool using pool noodles and/or a rope. Players must jump past the rope without touching it. If they touch the rope they’re out. (Make sure there’s a referee in the water.) Once everyone has jumped, make the course longer and try again. Last person not to touch the rope is the winner.

You’ll need: A pool, pool noodles or a long rope.

Hard mode: Shout the name of an animal when jumping. (Each player must use a different animal.)

Triple Threat Dice

Best with only a few players. Grab three dice.

Before rolling, the player decides on an elimination number, between 9 and 12. (They can’t choose the same one twice in a row.)

Then they roll the dice. If they get the number, they’re out. Play until only player is left. They win!

You’ll need: Dice.

Hard mode: Players must add up their roll within 5 seconds, or they’re out. If they add it up wrong, they’re out.

Puzzle Race

For this we’ll need a puzzle and timer. Set it for five minutes.  Jumble all the puzzle pieces together and dump them on the table.

Start the timer. One player tries to put together as many pieces as possible before the timer runs out.

Score points equal to your largest chunk of completed puzzle.  Then the next player scrambles the pieces and restarts the timer. Whoever gets the most points wins.

You’ll need: Puzzle, timer

Hard mode: Use a bigger or tougher puzzle, and a shorter timer.

Capital Contest

Sit the players around in a circle. Each player takes a turn saying something that’s the capital of something.

Like: “Ottawa is the capital of Canada.”

You could also use product names and businesses. “Capital One is a credit card.”

If you can’t name a capital, you’re out. Last person standing wins.

You’ll need: Nothing!

Hard mode: Only use capital cities.

Speed Jenga

(Best with 4 or 5 players.) Grab yourself a Jenga tower or make your own with a pile of wooden blocks.

This is played like regular Jenga except each player only has 15 seconds to pull a piece and put it on top of the tower. If they don’t take a piece in time, they’re out. If they knock the tower down, restart it, and eliminate that player. Play until the last person is left. They win!

You’ll need: A Jenga tower.

Hard mode: Use your bad hand.

Storytelling Game

Everyone sits in a circle. One player starts telling a story with, “Once upon a time…” and finishes the sentence. The next player continues the story with, “But…”

Each player says a few sentences and then passes the story to the next person. They can continue the story with words like: But, Meanwhile, Therefore, So.

Play until the story is finished.

You’ll need: An imagination.

Hard mode: The story must follow a certain theme or genre.

Blindfold Balloon Darts

Blow up a ton of balloons and tape them to a wall or tree. (Make sure to use a brick wall, or a surface you don’t mind poking holes in)

Place the balloons in a circle like a dart board. Inner balloons should be a different color. These are worth more points. Make sure to put on the blindfold before you throw.

You’ll need: Balloons, darts.

Hard mode: Less targets, farther distance, use your off hand to throw.

Snowman Hangman

Played like the game of Hangman, but in the snow. And instead of drawing a stick person who dies if you don’t get the word right, players will build a snowman. You’re allowed to get six wrong answers.

So the six steps are: 1st ball, second ball, head, arms, face, and then if they get the last answer wrong, you knock off the snowman’s head.

You’ll need: Snow, sticks for arms

Hard mode: Four wrong answers and the snowman dies!

Deck Hopping

For this you’ll need a deck, or a small ledge, like at the edge of a sandbox. Someone is the DJ, and everyone else stands on the ledge. The DJ yells “Step on,” or “Step off,” and players must follow the command. If they get it wrong, they’re out.

The DJ can yell things like, “Step on, Step on, Step off.” If a command is given three times in a row, players must do the opposite.

You’ll need: A ledge

Hard mode: Add more commands, like “Hop,” or “Dance.”

Australian Potato Sack Race

For this game players will be wearing potato sacks on their heads. Make sure to poke some eye holes

On their feet, players must wear empty cardboard boxes, like tissue paper boxes, or taped-together cardboard.

Before the race starts, players must spin in a circle five times, hopping like a kangaroo.

You’ll need: Sacks/bags, cardboard.

Hard mode: Make it a team event, and both players must share a cardboard box foot.

Bang Bang

Everyone gets a water pistol and straps it to their waist. Stand in a circle about 5 feet apart from each another. Each round someone is the Sheriff and says “Ready, set….” And then “DRAW!” and everyone draws their pistols and fires it at someone. (You’re allowed to dodge the water, but if you move before the Sheriff says “DRAW” you’re out.) If you get hit with water, you’re out. Each round there’s a new Sheriff.

You’ll need: Water pistols.

Hard mode: Use snowballs instead of water pistols.

Pillow Head Race

Players balance a pillow on their heads. On top of the pillow they place a plastic cup. Then players run around an obstacle course.

If they drop their cup, they must pick it back up and put it on top of their head. If they drop their pillow they have to start the race over. (You can only hold onto the pillow while you’re picking up a cup.)

You’ll need: Pillows, plastic cups, an obstacle course.

Hard mode: Put two cups on the pillow.

Puzzle Mittens

Everyone puts on a pair of mittens and tries to finish a puzzle together. Set a timer and see how fast you can do it. After you finish, jumble the puzzle pieces and try to do it again and beat your time.

Everybody wins!

You’ll need: Mittens, and a puzzle.

Hard mode: Try and finish the puzzle while dangling over an active volcano. Just kidding. Wear thicker mittens or try a bigger puzzle.

Frisbee Dog

Players take turns throwing a frisbee for a dog. (Could also be played with a tennis ball.)

Whoever can throw the frisbee the farthest wins. The only trick is the dog must catch it and bring it back to you. The player isn’t allowed to move from their starting position, and the frisbee can never touch the ground. If the dog drops it, you’re allowed to look up at the sky and yell at the clouds.

You’ll need: A dog, and a frisbee.

Hard mode: Throw the frisbee with your bad hand.

Go Fetch

This game also requires a dog.

Each player gets a different colored ball. Someone counts down like a rocket ship and then everyone throws their balls at a target, which should be at least 20 feet away. (You’re allowed to encourage the dog to grab your ball.)

Hopefully the dog is a good boy and fetches at least one ball. If the dog brings back your ball, you win.

You’ll need: Colored balls, and a dog.

Hard mode: Throw the balls into the woods.

Hide the Marble

One person is given a marble, and they walk around shaking hands with others. Each time they shake hands, they choose whether or not to pass on the marble.

At the end, people try to guess who the last person holding the marble is. Let them play detective to try to figure out who has the marble! (Everyone should try to pretend they have the marble.)

You’ll need: A marble.

Hard mode: Make the marble an ice cube, or have multiple marbles.

Team Charades

Write down a bunch of mime-able activities that need two people to act them out. Put them in the hat. Mime out what you find in the hat with your partner and the other people will guess what you’re trying to describe!

You’ll need: Paper, pencil, a bowl/hat.

Hard mode: The performers aren’t allowed to discuss or plan what they’re doing beforehand.

Off-Hand Tug-of-War

Get a big rope and put people at either end to pull. Draw a line in the middle. You must use your bad hand to pull the rope.

Whichever side pulls the other team over the line wins.

If you have someone who is ambidextrous (uses both hands equally) give them one less team member.

You’ll need: A rope.

Hard mode: Add a swimming pool or mud pit in the middle.

The Wizard

Divide the children into four groups. The categories are: dragons, knights, princesses and unicorns. Create a large circle, with one person in the middle (called the wizard.)

When the wizard shouts a category, like princesses, all the children in the princess group must find another spot in the circle. Meanwhile, the wizard also tries to take one of the spots.

Whoever cannot secure a spot is now the wizard.

If the wizard says “Alakazam!” everyone finds a new spot.

You’ll need: Nothing.

Hard mode: The wizard must hop on one foot, and/or add some additional categories.

Marco Waterball

One person (Polo) closes and keeps their eyes closed. They repeatedly say “Marco” and the rest of the players must answer quickly with “Polo.”

They’re allowed to say it quietly, but no whispering.

The object of the game is for Polo to tag a Marco with a dodgeball. This Marco is then the new Polo.

You’ll need: Pool, and a dodgeball.

Hard mode: You’re not allowed to touch the pool floor.

Professional Horsing Around

Create a show jumping course using household stuff like chairs, sofa cushions, coffee tables, etc.

Organize them around the yard and create an order they must be jumped in. Add a timer.

The fastest jumper wins!

You’ll need: Household items large enough for jumping.

Hard mode: Heighten the difficulty of the jumps by making them higher, wider, or by adding a water element.

Hot Water Balloon

Everyone stands in a circle passing around a water balloon. They can sing the hot potato song, or any song with a time limit of 20-40 seconds.

Whoever passes the water balloon last gets to throw it. The soaked person is out, and the circle keeps getting smaller.

You’ll need: A water balloon.

Hard mode: Add more water balloons. You must toss them instead of handing them.

Backwards Red Rover

Divide players into two lines facing away from each other. They hold hands and one team calls someone over. Whoever’s called over leaves their side and runs backwards.

If they break through the hand holds, they return to their side. If not, they join the other side. Eventually, one side will have everyone.

You’ll need: Nothing. Maybe sunscreen.

Hard mode: Players must balance something on their heads.

Leaf the Bag Alone

Stuff non-transparent bags with leaves, flowers, pinecones and other objects found in the great outdoors.

Players take turns putting their hands into the bag and feeling the object. Then they try to guess what it is. When someone guesses the item, remove it from the bag.

You’ll need: Outdoor objects and non-transparent bags.

Hard mode: Use similar items, like leaves, or flowers.

Simon Dances

One person is Simon and shouts out dance moves. “Do the floss!”

If Simon doesn’t say “Simon says…” before the dance move, whoever dances is out.

Players can make up dance moves if they don’t know the exact one, but if they hesitate, or they don’t perform a move, they’re out. The last player standing wins.

You’ll need: Rhythm.

Hard mode: Add music, and every dance move is done to the beat.

Water Balloon Jackpot

A player throws a water balloon over their head to the group. During the throw they yell out a random number (someone generates them on a phone [10-50]), and if you catch the water balloon you get those points. If it breaks, you’re out.

The winner is either the last person left, or first to get to 100 points.

You’ll need: A water balloon.

Hard mode: Throw two at once.

Capture the Flag Buckets

Each team hides a flag on their side for the other team to find.  Once the flag is found, it must be thrown (standing 10 feet away) into a bucket in the middle of the field.

Tie the flag to a stick, pole, or long object to create a javelin.

You’ll need: A flag or equivalent, and a stick.

Hard mode: Stand farther from the bucket to throw.

Not that Noise

Sit in a circle.

One player makes a funny noise.

The next player imitates that noise and then adds their own. This will continue until someone can’t remember the order of noises.

You’ll need: Vocal cords.

Hard mode: Add a dance move or body movement for each sound.

Mummy Race

Two teams get a roll of toilet paper and race to transform one of their teammates into a mummy.

The mummies then race each other, with their faces covered, to a finish line.

You’ll need: Toilet paper.

Hard mode: Spin the mummies around before the race.

Frozen Egg Race

Give everyone an egg on a spoon and put on some music.

Players race across the yard towards the finish line. Meanwhile someone is in charge of playing music, and randomly pushes the pause button.

When the music stops playing, you must stop moving with your egg. If you drop it, you’re out.

You’ll need: An egg, a spoon, and a speaker.

Hard mode: You can only hop on one leg.

Sticker Tag

Everyone gets 10 stickers of a unique color. The object of the game is to get them on people’s backs without them noticing. Turn out the lights.

If you get caught, you must throw out that sticker. The winner will have the most stickers on people’s backs by the time someone runs out.

You’ll need: Colored stickers.

Hard mode: You can remove other people’s stickers if you aren’t caught.

Gummy Bear Battleship

Draw two grids on two pieces of paper. Place 5 gummy bears on sections of your grid.

Each player takes turns guessing which square the gummy bears are in. When guessed correctly, the player must hand over their gummy bear to their opponent. (Who eats it.)

You’ll need: Paper, pen, gummy bears.

Hard mode: Add different candies. The player must guess the spot and candy correctly.

Human Building

Split up into groups of four.

Each team must figure out how to have no one’s feet touching the ground.

They must work together to figure out the solution, which is a four-way plank with everyone’s feet on someone’s back in a square shape. The first team to figure it out wins.

You’ll need: Abs.

Hard mode: Add a time limit or blindfolds.

Activity Dread

Write an unpleasant activity (like a chore, or eating a gross vegetable) on a note, and put the note in a box. Wrap the box in several layers of wrapping paper.

Pass the box around in a circle, with each person unwrapping a layer. The person to open the box must perform the dreaded activity.

You’ll need: Paper, pencil, a box, wrapping paper.

Hard mode: You only have 5 seconds to unwrap a layer, or you also must perform the activity.

The Cereal Challenge

Put out a bunch of different dry bowls of cereal. Blindfolded, players must feel the cereal to guess what kind it is.

Whoever guesses the most correctly wins.

You’ll need: Cereals, bowls, blindfolds.

Hard mode: Only use a similar type of cereal, such as different types of Cheerios or flake shapes.

Foodies’ Never Have I Ever

Sit in a circle and hold up 5 fingers. Go around the circle and state foods you’ve never eaten. If others have eaten this food, they put a finger down.

The first person with no fingers left is the biggest foodie.

You’ll need: Nothing.

Hard mode: Limit the answers to a specific type of food.

Dare Dare Revolution

This is like Truth or Dare but the dares are funny posts on social media. Tweets, Snaps, Facebook posts, etc.

Dares are fun and make for better videos/pictures than truths!

You’re only allowed to delete them after 10 minutes.

You’ll need: Smartphones and apps.

Hard mode: Leave the truth or dares posted for an hour.

Math Wizards

Grab four dice and a timer (like on your phone) and set it to seven seconds. Players take turn rolling the dice and must add up the total of the four dice within 7 seconds. If they can’t, they’re out.

Stop the timer when they say their answer. Round up the remaining seconds, and that’s how many points you get.

Play to 50 points.

You’ll need: Dice, and a timer.

Hard mode: Use more dice.

Snap Pictionary

Write a bunch of people, places or things down and put them in a bowl. Split players into two teams.

One person on a team pulls out clue and they have 1 minute to create a snapsterpiece. If their team guesses it in under a minute, they get a point. First team to ten points wins.

You’ll need: Paper, pen, bowl, snapchat.

Hard mode: Shorten the time limit to 30 seconds.

Hula Hoop Toss

Divide players into two groups: those holding hoops and those throwing.

The throwers will see how many bean bags they can throw through the hoop their partner is holding in one minute.

You’ll need: Hula hoops, bean bags.

Hard mode: Stand farther away from the hula hoop.

Snap Mirror

In a group, one person is the photographer. This person and finds takes a snap of something. The remaining players divide into Drawers and Describers. The photographer sends their snapchat to the describers.

Sitting back to back, the describers have 5 minutes to describe the snapchat, and the drawers must attempt to recreate it with pen and paper. The most accurate wins.

You’ll need: Snapchat, paper, pen.

Hard mode: 3 minute limit.

Don’t Say E Water Gun Fight

Two teams of players sit across from each other with water guns and/or water balloons.

One team asks the other team a question. That team has 2 minutes to answer the question with at least a 10-word answer.

None of the words they use can contain the letter E. If the team says a word with E in it, or the timer expires then the first team fires the water guns!

You’ll need: Water guns/balloons.

Hard mode: Can’t use A.

Animal Press Conference

Write down a bunch of animals and put them in a hat. One person is chosen to be the animal, but only the interviewers get to see which animal is picked from the hat.

The interviewers ask questions that they would only ask this specific animal. The player who is the animal has five minutes to guess what they are.

You’ll need: Pencil, paper, bowl.

Hard mode: Shorten the time limit to one minute.

Who App I?

Print out the logos of popular apps. Tape them to players’ foreheads.

Players can ask other players questions about what their app would be used for until it is guessed correctly. Players only have five minutes to mingle and determine their app.

You’ll need: Printer, paper.

Hard mode: Shorten the time limit, use more obscure apps.

Gossip Girl

Each player writes down a piece of gossip about themselves and puts it in a hat.

Everyone takes a piece of gossip and must figure out who it belongs to. They must do this casually in conversation, preferably not with the person who wrote it. The first one to figure out their piece of gossip is deemed Gossip Girl.

You’ll need: Paper, pen, hat.

Hard mode: Add pieces of fake gossip in the hat.

Happy Feet

Tape two empty tissue boxes on top of players feet. Fill them with ping pong balls.

Turn on some tap-dancing music, and the first person to get all the balls out of their tissue boxes wins.

Can dress up as penguins for added flair.

You’ll need: Tissue boxes, ping pong balls, tape.

Hard mode: Add tissue boxes to players’ hands as well.

Pin the Tag on the Donkey

Rules are similar to basic tag, in which one player (who is “it”) must chase and tag another player to make them “it.”

You get a clothespin, and players will use it to signify who it “it” in tag. Instead of just running and touching the player when you’re “it”, you must pin the clothespin on them. (Try to wear baggy clothing while playing this game.)

You’ll need: A clothespin.

Hard mode: “It” must pin two clothes pins on one person.

Hide and Seek Tag

One person closes their eyes and counts to 30. The rest of the players hide.

If players expect they are going to be discovered, they can start running, turning the game into tag. These players must be tagged to be out.

You’ll need: Nothing.

Hard mode: Add a second person seeking.

Water Sticks

Stand at a bridge over slow-moving water. Players pick a unique looking stick.

One player drops all the sticks at the same time. The first stick to come out on the other side is the winner.

You’ll need: A bridge, sticks.

Hard mode: Drop your sticks individually so you’ll have to trust everyone drops at the same time.

Hula Goose Tag

Place hula hoops around groups of two. One team is deemed “it” and must chase the other teams together while honking like geese.

You must touch the other person to tag them, you can’t just touch their hula hoop. The hoops just make it more difficult to escape or climb trees.

You’ll need: Hula hoops.

Hard mode: Fit three people in the hoops.

Soapy Drip, Drip, Drop

Players sit in a circle. One player walks around holding a water and soap-soaked sponge.

This player walks around dripping a small amount on people’s heads, saying “Drip” until they squeeze out the sponge on someone and say “Drop.”

These two players race around the circle to get back to the spot.

You’ll need: Water, soap, sponge.

Hard mode: Make two people walk the circle with sponges.

Musical Bunnies

Set up a bunch of chairs. Players hop on one foot around the chairs to music. When the music stops, they must find a chair.

If your other foot touches the ground, or you can’t find a chair, you’re out.

After each round, a chair is removed, until there is one left.

You’ll need: Chairs and a speaker.

Hard mode: You must sit backwards on the chair.

Nature’s Imprint

Players find pinecones and different types of leaves. Push them into sand (or snow or mud) to make an imprint and have a judge guess which imprint belongs to which object. The judge that guesses most correctly wins.

You’ll need: Natural objects, such as pinecones and leaves.

Hard mode: Only use different types of leaves.

International Telephone

Everyone sits in a circle. The first person whispers a phrase in their favorite accent. The next player whispers what they think they heard to the next person, but in a different accent.

The last person states what they heard, and the first person states the original phrase.

You’ll need: Nothing.

Hard mode: Play music so it’s harder to hear whispering.

Soapy Twister

Bring a twister mat outside and cover it in soap and water. Take turns spinning the dial to decide which color hands and feet are placed on.

The last person who hasn’t fallen wins.

You’ll need: Twister, soap, water.

Hard mode: Put one hand behind your back.

Penguin Bowling

Paint plastic water bottles like penguins. Set them up on the lawn. Paint a ball to look like snow which you’ll use to roll at the penguins.

You could also use a snowball you’ve been saving in the freezer. (Requires some planning.)

Try to knock over as many as you can.

You’ll need: Water bottles, ball, paint.

Hard mode: Stand farther away from the penguins.

Hula Jump

Place a bunch of hula hoops in a zig zag line, around two feet apart. Players must only hop in the hula hoops, and race to get the last one.

The best time wins.

You’ll need: Hula hoops.

Hard mode: Put the hula hoops farther apart and/or players can only jump on one foot.

London Bridges

Make a popsicle stick bridge that can withstand weight. Using popsicle sticks and glue, you have 20 minutes to create your best structure.

Once complete, slowly place weight on the bridges.  Whoever’s bridge is standing last wins.

You’ll need: Popsicle sticks, glue, weights.

Hard mode: Lower the time limit to ten minutes, and no double layering your sticks.

Wheel of Favorites

Cut out a carboard circle and draw out pizza-like sections. Write down your favorite games from this article on the sections.

Spin a pen on the cardboard, and whatever it lands on is what you’ll be playing.

You’ll need: Cardboard, scissors, a pen.

Hard mode: Create a large, spinnable wheel.

Water Balloon Slap Fest

Set up a bunch of hanging water balloons. (Hang them from a tree or fence.)

Players get 30 seconds to see how many water balloons they can pop. But you can only slap the balloons with the palm of your hands.

You can’t poke them with your fingers or pull them off the tree.

You’ll need: Water balloons.

Hard mode: Lower the time limit to ten seconds.

Human Bowling

Cover a long tarp with soapy water. Place six plastic water bottles at the end. Put more plastic water bottles along side the tarp. The more bottles the more fun.

Body slide down the tarp and try to knock over as many as you can, but you can only knock over bottles using your legs/feet.

You’ll need: A tarp, soap, water bottles.

Hard mode: You can only slide on your stomach.

Dice Chains

Grab six dice. Each player takes a turn rolling the dice. The goal is to get a chain like 1-2-3 or 3-4-5. The bigger the chain, the more points you score. You’re allowed to re-roll any number of dice, but only once.

Score a point for each die in your chain.  (2-3-4 scores 3 points.)

1-2-3-4-5-6 scores 7 points instead of 6 points. Play to 50 points.

You’ll need: Dice, paper, pen

Hard mode: Another player can re-roll one of your dice.

Target Practice

Get a bunch of elastic bands and place a line of five plastic water bottles on a table.

Stand away from the table, and you have five attempts to hit the water bottles.

You’ll need: Water bottles, elastic bands.

Hard mode: Place the water bottles in harder to reach places.

Foodie Target Practice

Get a bunch of elastic bands and place a line of five different colored plastic water bottles on a table. Each color represents a different candy.

Stand away from the table, and you have five attempts to hit the water bottles. If you knock down a certain bottle, you get to eat the corresponding candy.

You’ll need: Candy, water bottles, elastics.

Hard mode: Place the bottles in hard to reach spots.

Selfie Sabotage

On scraps of paper, write numbers 1-20 and put them in a hat. Turn on the video camera of a phone and record yourself singing a nursery rhyme. After 20 seconds, stop the video.

Pull a number from the hat. That is the second in the video you will go to and take a screenshot. Post this selfie on social media. (You delete it after 20 minutes.)

You’ll need: A phone.

Hard mode: You have to wear a funny hat and make a funny face.

Best in Boat

Have each player make a boat out paper and/or other arts and craft supplies. It can be decorated with paint and flags.

Whoever’s boat can stay afloat the longest in a pool of water is the winner.

You’ll need: Paper, a bowl of water.

Hard mode: Add small weights to the boats like coins or rocks.

Mermaids Attack

In a pool, one person is deemed the Mermaid. This person can only swim like a mermaid to chase the other players, while others can swim however they like. Once another player is caught, they also become a mermaid.

The last one to stay human wins.

You’ll need: A pool.

Hard mode: The mermaids can only touch people with their feet.

Handstand Race

Separate into teams of two.

In a very shallow pool, river, or lake, players must handstand walk in the water to a finish line.

One player handstand walks, and the second player holds their legs and directs them, while making sure their head stays above water.

The first team to make it to the finish line, wins.

You’ll need: A body of water.

Hard mode: Make the finish line farther away.

Cannonball Questionnaire

One player starts running toward the pool. When they’re about to the cannonball in the pool, another player asks them a quick question.

The jumper must think of a funny answer in the air and blurt it out before going underwater.

You’ll need: A pool.

Hard mode: Other players can throw water balloons at the jumper.

Get the Treasure

Throw a bunch of different colored weights into the pool. The player collecting them cannot watch them be thrown.

This player must jump in the pool and try to find one specific color within 20 seconds. If they find their predetermined color and put it on the side of the pool, they score a point.

You’ll need: A pool, pool weights/objects.

Hard mode: Use weights with similar colors.

Pool Noodle Weave

Set up a bunch of pool noodles staggered parallel to each other. Set up a timer and swim over and under them as fast as possible. The best time wins.

Make sure to have someone standing by to take a great photo finish shot.

You’ll need: A pool, pool noodles.

Hard mode: Put more pool noodles to make it a longer race.

Pool Noodle Horse Race

Sit on the pool noodle like it’s a horse. Line up beside your opponent and stay sitting on the noodle horse during the race.

The first player to reach the goal line and let out a big neigh is the winner.

You’ll need: A pool, pool noodles.

Hard mode: Wear a cowboy hat and hold a plastic water gun and yell out cowboy stuff like, “Howdy, partner!” and “Reach for the sky!”

Zombie Apocalypse

Everyone plays dead on the ground, except for the zombie. The zombie can walk around and only use their voice and jokes to get the others to giggle and move.

Once someone on the ground moves or laughs, they rise from the dead and are also a zombie.

The last one still on the ground wins.

You’ll need: Nothing.

Hard mode: The zombies can tickle other players.

Magnet Toss

Place a magnet in the center of the fridge. Stand a few feet away, and toss other magnets towards it.

Whoever can get the most magnets close to the original magnet wins.

You’ll need: Magnets, a fridge, or metal.

Hard mode: Stand farther away to toss, and/or throw the magnets over your back while facing the opposite direction.

Juice Cups

Set up plastic cups filled with juice or water on either side of a table.

Stand at one end with a partner and take turns trying to get pings pong balls into the opposite cups.

The last one with cups is the winner.

You’ll need: Plastic cups, ping pong balls.

Hard mode: bounce the balls on the table into the cups.

Crab Race

Walk on your hands and feet, but with your belly up. Put a seashell on your belly. Put a bucket at the finish line.

Line up beside another crab and walk/run like this to get the shell in the bucket. If you drop the shell, you must go back to the start. First one to get the shell in the bucket wins.

You’ll need: A shell, a bucket.

Hard mode: You can’t use your hands to drop the shell in the bucket.

Fishing for Jewels

Make your own fishing rod with a stick, string, and magnet. Decorate it with fun stuff from an arts and crafts box.

Buy some cheap metal jewelry and put it in a bucket. Use the fishing rods to fish for treasure.

You’ll need: Stick, tape, string, magnet, jewelry, bucket.

Hard mode: Players must close their eyes and find the bucket of jewels.

Toilet Paper Path

Get a bunch of empty toilet paper roles. Players can decorate them.

Place them in a curvy ‘S’ line, around two inches apart.

Tap over the first one, and the rest will fall in a pattern. Designs can become more intricate with more rolls.

You’ll need: Toilet paper rolls.

Hard mode: Make bigger designs with rolls spread farther apart.

Musical Spoons

All players hold a spoon. The first player taps the spoon to anything that will make a sound, such as the counter. The second players taps their spoon to the counter, and then the window.

This continues until someone messes up the musical order.

You’ll need: Spoons, a kitchen.

Hard mode: Players must close their eyes and guess what object the spoon hits from the noise.

Snow Sculpture Competition

Players do their best to recreate an animal using snow. When everyone is finished building, they vote on their favorite sculpture (can’t vote for your own.)

Whoever wins gets to pick the theme for the second round. Try mixing it up with monsters, super heroes, and other stuff.

You’ll need: Snow.

Hard mode: Put a time limit of five minutes.

Snowball Lawn Bowling

Split up into two teams. Each team stands approximately 20 feet away from the other.

Each team makes six bowling pins out of snow, and a bunch of snow bowling balls. Players takes turns throwing or rolling their snowballs at the other team’s pins. (Team with the youngest member starts.)

The first team to knock over all the other team’s pins is the winner.

You’ll need: Snow.

Hard mode: Roll farther from the pins.

Snow Golf

Dig a hole in the ground. Make a snowball (or use a tennis ball if the snow isn’t co-operating) and use a stick to try to hit the ball into the hole. Whoever can do it using the least amount of strokes wins.

Try to set up your course like a mini putt place. Have some obstacles like a snowman, or a beaver dam.

You’ll need: Snow, a stick.

Hard mode: Put the hole on a hill or another hard to reach place.

Sledding Snowball Fight

Players make 20 snowballs before the fight. They can build walls and make a safe zone. However, players must always be on a sled and push themselves around with their arms.

Each time you hit someone on a sled with a snowball, you score a point. (There should probably be a judge.)

You’ll need: Snow, sleds.

Hard mode: No walls or safe zone.

Snow Soccer

Make a snow soccer ball. Make two posts for the goalie’s net. Try to kick the ball between the other team’s snow posts. The most goals in 20 minutes wins.

One player (or parent) plays the role of the Crazy Snow Monster. And their job is to run around the field causing mayhem by throwing snowballs at both teams.

You’ll need: Snow.

Hard mode: Add a second ball, or another snow monster.

Snow Jump

See how high players can jump over a snowbank. If the snow is soft players will have a cushion. Create bigger and bigger snow walls to jump over, until someone knocks it over.

While someone is jumping, other plays can throw snowballs, but only at their legs. (Be safe!)

You’ll need: Snow.

Hard mode: Make the walls wide as well as tall.

Snow Canvas

Separate into teams of two. Look up a list of random nouns. One player on each team picks a word (not showing it to their partner.) When both teams are ready, they start drawing in the snow. (No words or symbols.) Their partner tries to guess what it is. First teammate to guess their partner’s drawing gets a point. Then you swap artists. Play to 10 points.

You’ll need: Snow.

Hard mode: Use adjectives instead of nouns.

Guess the Face

In fresh snow (or sand or mud!) players form a line and then smush their faces into the snow. One of the players is the judge and must guess which face is which. Scramble the order and have a different judge. The judge that guesses the most number of correct faces is the winner. If you get a tie, do a sudden death round.

You’ll need: Snow.

Hard mode: Each player writes a word instead of imprinting a face.

Dress the Snowman

Each player makes their own snowman. Standing ten feet away, they throw stuff at it, trying to get a hat, mittens, scarf, and a jacket to land anywhere on the snowman. The player with the most dressed snowman wins.

You’ll need: Snow, hat, mittens, scarf, jacket.

Hard mode: Stand 20 feet away.

Melted Targets

Build a snow wall and draw a target on it. Each player gets a water pistol filled with hot water and different color of food coloring. Players stand ten feet away and try to hit the target (one squeeze of the water pistol only.) Whoever gets closest to the center in five tries wins.

You’ll need: Snow, water guns, food coloring, water.

Hard mode: Stand farther from the target.

Coasters

Everyone gets ten soft coasters. Players throw the coasters at each other as if it’s dodgeball. If you get hit with a coaster by another player three times, you’re out. Players can run around, chase, and dodge.

You’ll need: Coasters.

Hard mode: You can only throw coasters while standing on a couch or chair.

Alphabetical Countries

Get a pen and paper. Write a list starting with every letter of the alphabet (1. A, 2. B, 3. C). Players have five minutes to write down as many countries as they can think of that start with every letter. The player with the most correct answers wins.

You’ll need: Pen, paper.

Hard mode: Make the time limit one minute.

Soup Chef

Make a soup creation out of any food or drink you can find. Players get a point for best color, texture and taste. Everyone votes for the best soup and that player is the winner. (Can’t vote for your own.)

You’ll need: Different types of food, drinks, and bowls.

Hard mode: Players must eat whatever they make.

Frisbee Switch

Get four players to play frisbee. Stand in a square. Throw the frisbee diagonally, and then everyone runs to the next spot over in the square so that a player must run to catch the frisbee.

You’ll need: A frisbee.

Hard mode: Use two frisbees at once.

Plane Tag

Players must keep their arms out like a plane. Whoever is “it” must keep their arms straight. They can only tap other players’ hands, not arms. Players must turn their bodies rather than bending their arms to stay plane-like.

You’ll need: Nothing.

Hard mode: Only the “it” player must keep their arms straight.

Chicken Egg Hunt

Chicken eggs are hidden around a backyard. Once one is found, it can be cracked on another player’s knee. The last player without egg on their legs wins.

You’ll need: Eggs.

Hard mode: Eggs can’t be ran with, they must be passed to other players who are close enough to crack them on someone’s knee.

Talk Show

Create a talk show with other players. One player will pretend to be a famous celebrity. The host will ask them questions and see how they fare.

Players in the audience (as well as the celebrity) will try to guess who they are.

You’ll need: Nothing.

Hard mode: Use historical figures.

Echolocation

One player is The Blind Dolphin. The Blind Dolphin must keep their eyes closed. Whenever it makes a dolphin cackle sound, all other players must respond with fish noises (gurgles, water splash, etc.)  The Blind Dolphin tries to catch the fish and tag them. Once a fish is touched it is out. The dolphin must catch all the fish to finish the game.

You’ll need: Nothing.

Hard mode: The fish also close their eyes.

Make a Duet

Two players decide on a rhymable word. They each separately write three sentences that end in something that rhymes with the word. Then, players go back and forth singing their sentences, creating a non-sensical duet.

You’ll need: Pen, paper.

Hard mode: Players only have one minute to write their lyrics.

Countdown Zone

Players must go around a circle saying zones/areas (states, provinces, territories, counties etc.)  If a player repeats a zone, or hesitates for more than five seconds, they lose.

You’ll need: Nothing.

Hard mode: You can only use zones that are not in your home country.

Leave Some Space

One person is the Sun. They stand in the center of a circle and spin slowly around. The next player is Mercury and stands a foot away but walks slowly around the Sun. The next player, Venus, walks outside of Mercury, and so on. When the Sun stops rotating, other planets must stop. If other planets continue walking, they’re out. The last planet standing wins.

You’ll need: Nothing.

Hard mode: Run instead of walk.

Chocolatier

Place pieces of different chocolate bars in different bowls. Blindfolded, try to guess which chocolate bar is which. The players with the most correct guesses wins.

You’ll need: Chocolate bars, bowls.

Hard mode: Only use very similar types of chocolate bars, such as one’s with nuts and peanut butter.

(Watch out for allergies!)

Spider Tag

Grab some string, or silly string. This will be the webbing players will launch from their web shooters (hands.)

Whoever is “it” must hit another player with their spider web. Once hit, that player becomes a spider and the game continues.

You’ll need: String or silly string.

Hard mode: Everyone has to crabwalk.

Tangled

Players are put in partners of two. One partner must have long hair. (You’ll probably need to round up some girls.)

Teams compete against each other to see who can French braid their partner the fastest. First braid completed wins.

You’ll need: Hair elastics.

Hard mode: Do a fishtail braid.

Stomp! Fight! Roar!

Make a cheerleading pyramid with players. Either compete against another team to see who can hold it for longer or work together and make a big one. Players start on their hand and knees at the base, until there is one on top of the pyramid.

You’ll need: Strong players.

Hard mode: Players only have two minutes to make the pyramid.

Astrological Guessing Game

To get to know new people, players will act like their astrological sign in any way they know how. Once guessed correctly, they can help other players guess the rest.

You’ll need: Nothing.

Hard mode: Players only have five minutes to figure out everyone’s sign.

Make that Money

Put a bunch of different coins on a table, such as 4 dimes, 5 nickels, 3 quarters. Say a random number, and the first player to get to that number using coins wins.

You’ll need: Different types of coins.

Hard mode: Only say numbers that aren’t multiples of 5, such as 31-34, so that players must round up or down as well.

Tongue Twister Game

Players write their own tongue twisters. After ten minutes, they trade their tongue twisters with another player. Then each player tries to say the other’s tongue twister. Once everyone tries everyone else’s tongue twister, they vote on the best one (can’t vote for your own.)

You’ll need: Pen, paper.

Hard mode: Players only have five minutes to come up with their tongue twister.

Coke or Pepsi?

Get two large bottles of Coke and Pepsi (or two other similar drinks.) Pour some of each into 20 plastic cups, making sure to label them to remember which is which.

Put a blindfold on each player. They take turns testing each cup and try to guess what it is. Whoever gets the most correct answers wins the game.

You’ll need: Soda, plastic cups

Hard mode: Use 4 different sodas, and/or mix them together and players try to guess the mix.

Let’s Make a Band

Players use their voice to imitate an instrument in a band.

One player starts with the beat, the next comes in with the guitar, and so on. Add in some chimes, piano, flute or saxophone. Finally, someone can be the singer to the final beat.

Try to recreate an entire song.

You’ll need: Nothing.

Hard mode: Let your parents pick the song.

Surf’s Up

In a pool or lake, players balance standing on surfboards, rafts, or other soft/inflatable things. One person (the Kraken) stays in the water and makes waves trying to knock the others into the drink. If nobody is falling, then the Kraken can ask them to put a hand on their head, or stand on one foot, or other things to make them fall.

You’ll need: Water, balance boards

Hard mode: The Kraken can splash players (be fair, do it to everyone!)

Yoga Studio

One player is the Yoga Instructor and gets to come up with a unique yoga pose. The student that can hold this balancing pose the longest scores a point.

Then someone else becomes the Yoga Instructor and creates a pose.

Play until someone gets 5 points.

You’ll need: Yoga mats.

Hard mode: Players must close their eyes. (This makes it harder to balance.)

Team Rubik’s Cube Race

Separate into teams of two and give each team a Rubik’s cube.

One player does a single turn (one move) and then passes it to their partner. You can go as fast as you want, but only one move per team member until you pass it back.

The first team to complete the cube wins.

You’ll need: Lots of Rubik’s cubes

Hard mode: Use four Rubik’s cubes, and the teams must pass two back and forth.

Sim Village

Act out as Sims characters! Go about your daily life but only speaking gibberish as a Sim would. Walk robotically and speak the Sim language with some friends and see how long you can last without breaking character.

You’ll need: Nothing.

Hard mode: Play the Sims game in public without telling others what’s going on.

Opposite Mulligan

Create a game of golf, either with real golf clubs or just sticks. Instead of calling mulligan on a bad shot, you can take away a player’s great shot and they must try again. Players only get three opposite mulligans per game.

You’ll need: Golf clubs/sticks, balls.

Hard mode: Play with a Wiffle ball instead of a golf ball.

Giant Checkerboard

Using spray paint, or colored string, make a giant checkerboard on the lawn. Instead of checkers pieces, you can use frisbees, lawn gnomes, balls, or whatever you want. Players could also build their own pieces using fun stuff they find in the woods. Make sure to paint them red or black, or blue and white!

You’ll need: Paint and stuff.

Hard mode: Build a giant outdoor chess set.

Disney Rap Battle

Players split up into teams of two write their own rap song. It must involve characters from a Disney movie. When finished, perform the song and get someone to record it.

Post both videos on social media and see which one gets more likes. Both teams win because they both had fun.

You’ll need: A video recorder.

Hard mode: Add dance moves and a movie stunt. (Be careful.)

The Yodeler

All players are sheep except for one yodeler. The sheep walk in a large circle, while the yodeler walks the same circle but in the opposite direction. When the yodeler yodels, all the sheep must run over and touch the yodeler. The last sheep to touch the yodeler is kicked out every round until the last sheep wins.

You’ll need: Nothing.

Hard mode: All the sheep close their eyes when the yodel starts.

Clown Off

Get some long balloons that are used for making balloon animals. Do your best to create your favorite balloon animal. Compete against other players to make the most accurate balloon animal.

When finished, everyone votes for their favorite. (Can’t choose your own.) The winner choses who you should give the animals to. Like a grandma, or a neighbor.

You’ll need: Long balloons.

Hard mode: Set a time limit of ten minutes.

Paper Plane Toss

In teams of two, one player makes a paper airplane while the other holds a hula hoop. The players stand 20 feet apart, but as soon as one player throws the plane, the other player can run with the hoop to help get the plane through it.

Once you get a plane through a hoop you score a point. Play to 10 points.

You’ll need: Paper, hula hoops.

Hard mode: Stand 30 feet away.

Paper Mâché Puzzle

Each player makes a paper mâché bowl. After a day of drying, players decorate the inside. Then, all the bowls are flipped over. After being shuffled, players try to figure out which bowl is theirs from the outside. Once players pick a random bowl, they decorate the outside.

You’ll need: Paper, water, glue, paint.

Hard mode: One of the bowl’s isn’t decorated on the inside.

Cotton Candy Wars

Each team has a cotton candy bundle hidden on their side. All players hold a water bottle. Teams can tag out players if they enter the opposing side. Players must find and destroy the other team’s cotton candy to win.

You’ll need: Cotton candy, water bottles.

Hard mode: Once a player is tagged, they join the opposing side.

Wizards That Wish They Were Knights

Two players find sticks, which become their wands. The players hit their wands against the other player’s wand. Whoever’s wand breaks loses the duel.

You’re allowed to cast one magic spell per round. The other player must play along.

You’ll need: Sticks, or maybe cardboard tubes.

Hard mode: Player’s pick each other’s wands.

Beach Lacrosse

Separate into teams of two. Give each player a lacrosse stick. (If you don’t have any, you can use canoe paddles, or make your own.)

Stand 10-15 paces apart. Fling a beach ball at your partner and have them catch it with the stick. Toss it back-and-forth. The longest chain without dropping the ball wins the game.

You’ll need: Lacrosse sticks or canoe paddles, and beach balls.

Hard mode: Stand further apart or use a volleyball.

Piano Phone

Using a piano or a keyboard, the first player pushes a key. The second player pushes the same key, and then adds one of their own. The third player pushes the first key, then the second key, and then adds a third key, and so on and so forth.

Keep going until someone messes up the song. That player is out. The last player left is the winner.

You’ll need: A piano or keyboard

Hard mode: Use a well-known song, and/or go fast.

Super True or False

Separate into teams. Two, three, four, etc. Grab a fact book. Take turns reading facts from the book. Another team must answer “True” or “False.” (Change them just a little bit if you want them to be false.)

If they answer correctly, they get a point. Play until one team gets 20 points. Score 4 points if you say “False,” and say the real answer.

You’ll need: A fact book.

Hard mode: Put a time limit.

Muggers

This game is fun and simple. All you need are five plastic markers (like a Sharpie) and two coffee mugs. Put the mugs on a table six feet away from you.

The goal is to throw the markers into the mugs. The first marker you land in a mug scores one point, the second scores two points, and so on. If you get them all in, you score 15 points. Play until 30.

You’ll need: Markers, mugs.

Hard mode: Play from 12 feet.

Sandcastle Kong

Everyone builds a sandcastle. Choose someone at random to be King Kong. They must stomp on the castles and create havoc. The other players pretend to be airplanes and try to shoot him down. (Use water pistols.)

Make sure to have your phone handy so you can record the mayhem.

You’ll need: Sand, water pistols

Hard mode: Players must build a fancy city instead of castles.

Things in The House

This fun memory game can also be played outside, or anywhere there’s a lot of stuff surrounding you. One person runs the game and asks questions, while everyone else closes their eyes.

Ask questions like, “How many chairs are in this room?” or “What is the man in the painting doing?”

You’ll need: A room with stuff.

Hard mode: Ask hard questions, like “What color are my socks?”

Paper Toss, with Fans!

Everyone designs and builds a few different paper airplanes. At least three. Set up a goal across the room, at least 15-20 feet away. You could make it a bucket, or a tire, or anything for the planes to land in. Then line the room with fans, or air conditioners, or anything that makes wind. This makes it tougher to throw the airplanes at the goal.

You’ll need: Paper, fans.

Hard mode: Add more obstacles, and more fans.

Hula Darts

Grab some hula hoops and some lawn darts (or bowling pins, or balls.) Split into teams and give each player some darts to throw. Darts must be thrown at least 15 feet. Once each team has thrown their darts, they try to throw a hula hoop around the darts. Toss three hoops per team. Score one point for each dart inside your hoops. Play until 20 points.

You’ll need: Darts/balls, hula hoops

Hard mode: Hoops can’t touch.

What’s That Song?

One person is the DJ and has their music player set to a top 100 or hits list. As soon as they hit play everyone else tries to guess the name of the song. If they guess wrong, they can’t guess again this song. If they guess right, they get 1 point, and the DJ skips to the next song. Play to 10 points.

You’ll need: Something that makes music, like a phone or laptop

Hard mode: Use older songs, or obscure bands.

Higher or Lower

A simple card came that’s good for teaching probability. Take a deck of cards and deal a card to each player. Ask each player, “Higher or lower?” then deal them another card. If they’re wrong, they lose a point, if they’re right, they score a point. You can also expand it to red/black, suits, and inside or outside. (The smaller the deck the easier it is to teach probability.)

You’ll need: A deck of cards.

Hard mode: Use two decks.

Trampoline Hoops

Split into teams of two. One player bounces on the trampoline while their partner tosses them a ball when they’re in the air. The catcher jumps as high as they can (no baby jumps.) If the catcher catches it, they try to throw it into a garbage can to score a point. After five tries, switch with your partner, then switch teams. First team to 20 points wins.

You’ll need: A trampoline, balls, and a garbage can.

Hard mode: Throw two balls.

ABC Story Game

One player starts the story with an important person/object/detail that starts with the letter A. The next player must continue by injecting/adding a new important thing that starts with the letter B, and so on until you get to Z.

Chain together an easy story by using keywords like: But, so, thus, meanwhile, therefore.

You’ll need: An imagination.

Hard mode: Start and Z and go backwards to A.

Word Pasta

Grab all the tiles from a game like Scrabble, Words with Friends, or Bananagrams. Pile them face down on the table. Each player takes 20 tiles. Someone says “Flip!” and everyone flips their tiles up.

Make words from your tiles. Each word must be attached to another. If you don’t like your letters, you can return one to the pile and take four. (You can only do this 3 times per round.)

The first player to use all their tiles says the name of a pasta, like “Spaghetti!” or “Lasagna!”

Check to make sure all their words are legit words (are in a dictionary) and there aren’t any typos. If it’s all good, then the winner scores points equal to the sum of their two longest words.

All other players score points equal to their shortest word. (So try to make a long word as fast possible.)

Play until someone gets 50 points.

You’ll need: Letter tiles from a game like Scrabble.

Hard mode: You can’t use cities, names, products, or slang.

Ladder 44

Set up a ladder. Write out point scores like 5, 10, 15, 25, 30, and tape them to each step. Higher steps should score more points. Players take turns throwing bean bags from across the room/yard and try to land them on the steps. Each player gets 4 tosses. Play 4 rounds. Whoever has the most points at the end is the winner.

You’ll need: Bean bags, ladder

Hard mode: Throw with your bad hand while standing on one foot and circle-rubbing your head.

Super Ring Toss

Line up/arrange ten bottles in the yard and split into two teams. One team takes a turn throwing 10 rings onto the bottles. If they land a ring, you remove that bottle and score 1 point. The second team then tries to throw their 10 rings onto the remaining bottles, scoring 2 points per bottle. Then you replace the bottles and the second team starts the new round. Play until one team scores 25 points.

You’ll need: Rings, bottles.

Hard mode: Less rings.

The Giant Memory Game

You’ll need two copies of the same magazine. Rip out pages and then cover one side with colored paper. Make a 6 by 6 grid. Randomize the pages and flip them so the colored side faces up. Players take turns flipping over a page and trying to match them with another page. If you match two pages, you can try again. Score 1 point per match.  Player with the most points wins.

You’ll need: Two magazines

Hard mode: 10 by 10 grid!

Cowboys vs Aliens

Find two plastic cups of different colors. (Brown and green are best.) Poke tiny holes in the bottom of the cups. Cut two large pieces of string. Run some string through the holes.

Tie the two pieces of string tightly between two trees (or anything you can attach them to.)

Split into two teams. One team is the Cowboys (brown cup) and the other team is the Aliens (green cup). Give each player water pistols.

One person is the Sheriff who acts as the referee. When the Sheriff yells “Draw!” players shoot water at their team’s cup, trying to push it along the string. First cup to reach the other side wins.

You’ll need: String, cups, water pistols

Hard mode: Each side gets a Double Agent, who stands behind the other team’s cup and tries to sabotage them by shooting at their cup from the other side.

Unburied Treasure

Players sit in a circle in a living room and close their eyes and wait for the Archaeologist. They tell everyone to close their eyes, and then pull an item out of a box (prepare beforehand.) The Archaeologist places the item in plain sight somewhere in the room. Then says, “Okay, let’s dig!” Players open their eyes and look/walk around, and try to spot the item that wasn’t there before.

You’ll need: A room, and stuff.

Hard mode: Use small stuff!

Captain Hook

Screw a hook into a wall or tree. Attach a metal hook to a piece of rope/string and hang from the ceiling in front of the hook (five/six feet.) Players take turns swinging the ring forward trying to get it to attach to the hook. If it attaches, they get 1 point. If they say “Yarr!” before it attaches, they get 2 points. But if they say “Yarr!” and it doesn’t attach, they lose a point.

Play until someone gets 5 points.

You’ll need: Ring and rope/string.

Hard mode: Wear an eyepatch.

Touchdown, Arkansas!

Players take turns throwing a football into wooden/cardboard cutout holes.

Assign point values to each hole. The smaller the hole, the more points. If a player throws a ball through the smallest hole, they must yell “Touchdown, Arkansas!” and do three pushups in order to get their points.

You’ll need: An American football, and wooden/cardboard cutouts.

Hard mode: Scatter the cutouts and one player plays defense.

Streets

Best with a group of players all from the same area. Sit in a circle. One player says a local street name. The next player has 20 seconds to say a street that connects to it. (Can’t say a street that’s already been said.) If they can’t name a street, they’re out.

Play until one person is left. They win the title of Streets Ahead.

You’ll need: Locals.

Hard mode: 10 seconds time limit.

Name That Thing

Grab some things from around the house and put them in a box. They should be recognizable, but not too easy to guess. Like a coffee grinder, or a tool from the toolbox.

Players sit in a circle. Very slowly, pull an item from the box. Only reveal a little bit of it at a time. First player to guess what it is scores a point. Whoever has the most points at the end wins.

You’ll need: A box of cool stuff.

Hard mode: Use similar things like different types of screwdrivers.

Gold Diggers

Paint some rocks to look like gold coins, nuggets, and bars. Bury them in the sand on a beach. (Could also be played in the snow.) Players have 15 minutes to dig through the sand looking for the buried treasure. Score 1 point per coin, 2 points per nugget, and 3 points for a bar. (Make sure there are more coins than bars.)

You’ll need: Fake gold coins, nuggets, and bars.

Hard mode: Players can only use their hands to dig.

Save the Marshmallow

Players split into two groups and sit in circles. Everyone has a straw, and one player holds a cup of mini marshmallows and an empty cup.

Players pick up mini marshmallows with their straws and pass them around the circle into the empty cup. The first team to get them all in the other cup wins.

You’ll need: Mini marshmallows, straws, cups.

Hard mode: Use regular size marshmallows.

Sandcastle Challenge

Players split into two teams. Each team has two buckets 30 feet away from each other on the beach. Fill the far bucket with sand.

With shovels, each member races to pick up sand from the far bucket and drop it into the close bucket. The first team to fill their bucket flips it over to make a sandcastle and wins.

You’ll need: Buckets, shovels, sand.

Hard mode: Players spin five times before running.

Medieval Battle

Divide into two teams. Each team gets an equal number of tissue boxes. They stack these into a wall and prepare newspaper balls.

Teams will throw the balls at the other wall. If they hit a player, that player is out. If the wall goes down, that team loses. Players can leave their wall to get closer to the enemy wall, but it’s risky!

You’ll need: Tissue boxes, and newspaper.

Hard mode: Players can rebuild fallen boxes.

Get Ready Relay

Players divide into two teams. There is a bucket of clothes at the other end of the room.

Each team chooses one player to be the Mannequin. Other players take turns running to get an article of oversized clothing for the Mannequin. The first team with a fully dressed Mannequin wins.

You’ll need: Two sets of oversized clothes.

Hard mode: Add a five-minute timer.

Pass the Cube

(Play this outside when it’s hot and sunny.)

Players divide into two equal teams. Teams sit in a circle. Players see how many times they can pass an ice cube around the circle before it melts.

The team that gets their cube around the circle the most times wins.

You’ll need: Ice cubes.

Hard mode: You must toss the cube instead of passing it.

Laughing Cow

Players go around the circle saying different cow noises. Either “moo”, or any type of grunt/huff. If you laugh, you’re out.

You must look the other players in the eyes. No looking away! It’s tougher than it sounds. Like a staring contest.

You’ll need: Nothing.

Hard mode: You can use any noise from any farm animal.

Make a Rainbow

Players divide into two teams. Place sticky notes with colors written on them on players’ backs. The first team to arrange themselves into the correct order wins. Only read the rainbow colors out once. Players have to remember the correct order.

Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet.

You’ll need: Sticky notes, pen.

Hard mode: Do a reverse rainbow.

Body Language

Divide players into two teams. Using a random word generator, players must spell out words (of at least 8 letters) using their bodies. Players cannot form letters with their hands, they must use their arms and legs to make giant letters.

One player will try to guess the word for their team. The team that gets through five words first wins.

You’ll need: List of random words.

Hard mode: Add a 5 minute timer.

Muddy Limbo

Create a mud pit with sand and water. Find a stick and hold it horizontally as players lean back to go underneath it. Keep lowering the stick until players fall backwards into the mud.

Whoever can limbo the lowest wins.

You’ll need: A stick, mud.

Hard mode:  Spin five times before attempting the limbo.

Animal Challenge

In teams of four, three players each say a descriptive word of a random animal. The other player must try to guess what the animal is with as few hints as possible.

Whichever team can guess their animal with the least hints wins.

You’ll need: Nothing.

Hard mode: Players must use sounds and gestures instead of word hints.

Stranded at Sea

Put two air mattresses in a pool or lake. One player goes on each, or two players if it can handle the weight. Use a canoe paddle to race against another team to the finish line. (The larger and awkward the paddle is, the more fun the game.)

You’ll need: Air mattresses, paddles.

Hard mode: Players can splash the opposing team.

What’s That Smell

Find things in nature with interesting smells, such as mint, pine, and different flowers. Place them in bags. Players close their eyes, sniff each bag, and try to guess what it is.

Whichever player guesses the most correct answers is the winner.

You’ll need: Scented things found in nature, plastic bags.

Hard mode: Add things with no scent to throw off the players.

Hula Dodge

Split into two teams. Played like regular dodgeball, except players carry hula hoops on their shoulders. When you’re tagged, you’re not out. Instead you must drop the hula hoop at your feet. You can’t move from that spot unless you catch a ball, then you pick up your hoop. If you’re tagged while standing in a hoop, you’re out for good. Play until one team is eliminated.

You’ll need: Balls, hula hoops.

Hard mode: You must always be swinging the hoop around yourself.

Animal Guessing Game

One player finds a zoo or farm animal noise on YouTube. Taking turns, other players have one guess for what it could be.

If you guess it correctly, you get the point. If not, the next player gets to guess. If no one guesses it, the player who chose the animal noise gets the point. First player to five points win the game.

You’ll need: A phone or computer.

Hard mode: Can only be one species of animal (cats, dogs, rodents.)

Rabbit in the Haystack

Fill an inflatable/wading pool with straw/hay. Hide a cotton ball somewhere in the haystack. Players dive into the haystack and try to be the first person to find the cotton ball. Whoever finds it, gets a point. Then they get out of the pool and close their eyes. Re-hide the cotton ball and play again. First person to get 3 points wins.

You’ll need: Wading pool, straw, cotton balls.

Hard mode: Rip the cotton ball so it’s ¼ the size.

Shape Shifters

Split players into two teams. Write some random objects onto scraps of paper and put them in a hat.

One player on each team gets a piece of string. The players with string pulls from the hat and must try to make that shape with the string. If their partner guesses correctly, they get a point. First team to five points wins.

You’ll need: Paper, pen, hat, string.

Hard mode: Teams only have 30 seconds.

Scout Training

Split into teams of two and give each team a piece of rope.

Print out some instructions on hard to tie knots. In teams of two, one player reads the instructions while sitting back-to-back with their partner holding the rope.

The first team to complete the knot wins.

You’ll need: Instructions from the internet/book, rope.

Hard mode: Teams switch positions halfway through instructions.

Suit Up

Players divide into teams of two. Print out some instructions on how to tie a tie. (Or multiple tie knots since there’s lots!) The first team to successfully tie a tie on one of the players wins.

It’s more fun if players have no prior experience tying a tie. You could also tie the tie onto Mom or Dad if there aren’t enough players.

You’ll need: Ties.

Hard mode: Try to figure it out without instructions, just the photo.

Nerf Tag

One player is given a nerf gun and must stand in one spot. In a confined space like a gym. Other players run around trying to avoid being shot.

Players can hold a paper plate as a small shield. If their body is hit, they are out. The last standing player wins.

You’ll need: A nerf gun, paper plates.

Hard mode: Two players in the center with nerf guns.

Hat Toss Challenge

Divide players into teams of two. Each team gets a hat of their choosing and stand five to ten feet apart. (Funny hats are more fun. Like cowboy hats, or top hats.)

The first team to land the hat on to their partner’s heads five times wins. Players can tilt their body to help catch the hat with their head.

You’ll need: Hats.

Hard mode: Players must stand completely still when catching the hat.

Leaf Me Alone Relay

Split into two teams. Each team has their own leaf pile and bucket at opposite ends of the yard.

Players use a plate to carry as many leaves as possible from the pile to the bucket. The first team to fill the bucket wins.

You’ll need: Leaves, bucket.

Hard mode: The player getting the leaves keeps their eyes closed.

Leaf Me the Button

Make as many leaf piles as there are players. Place a button at the bottom of each leaf pile.

Players must look through the leaf pile to find their button. They can also try to sabotage other players by throwing their leaves at them. The last player to find their button is eliminated.

You’ll need: Leaves, buttons.

Hard mode: Only half of the piles have buttons and players can switch piles to steal buttons.

Gooey Matters

Hollow out some pumpkins for each player but leave the goo inside. Put an interesting object into the goo. Players close their eyes and reach for the object, and try to guess what it is, then write it down. (Don’t let other players see your guess!) Once everyone makes their guess, reveal the answer. Play as many times as you have objects

You’ll need: Pumpkins, knives, household objects.

Hard mode: Use fruit that will blend into the pumpkin goo.

Gourd Jump

Each player gets a gourd to paint.  Give it some racing stripes, a face, whatever you want!

Build a ski ramp by placing a piece of wood at a 30-40 degree angle.

Players take turns rolling their gourd up the ramp and watching it fly across the yard.  Whoever’s gourd flies the farthest wins.

You’ll need: Gourds, markers, plastic/wood, tape, nails.

Hard mode: Each player must make their own ski jump.

Catch-A-Ball

On a volleyball court, there are two players on each side. One player throws the volleyball to the other side of the court, and the other team must scramble to catch it. Whoever catches it throws it back.

If the ball lands on the ground, the team that threw it gets a point. Games go until 25 points.

You’ll need: A volleyball and volleyball court.

Hard mode: Play with two balls, one starting on each side.

Aquatic Catapult

Place an air mattress at the end of a dock. One player sits on it with their feet hanging off the dock.

Another player jumps on the other side of the air mattress, sending the sitting player flying into the water.

Whichever player flies farthest wins.

You’ll need: A dock on a lake, an air mattress.

Hard mode: Player that goes flying must try to do a midair somersault.

Snowman Curling

Divide players into two teams. Each team makes three ball snowman, and places it in the middle of an ice rink/lake.  Half the team stays with the snowman, while the others stand 20 feet away. These players slide a carrot, a hat, stones, sticks, and mittens on the ice towards the snowman for the other player to decorate. The first team to finish, wins.

You’ll need: Ice, snowman stuff.

Hard mode: Players can throw snowballs at each other.

Opposite Sledding

Place snowmen on sleds at the bottom of a hill. Players must race to push their snowman to the top of the hill.

If the snowman falls off, the player must rebuild it before continuing up the hill.

You’ll need: Sleds, snow.

Hard mode: After players reach the top, they must slide to the bottom of the hill while keeping their snowman intact.

Scaredy Crows

One player dresses up as the Scarecrow. The rest of the players are Crows. The Crows surround the Scarecrow and close their eyes. Pick someone to screech after 10-30 seconds. The Scarecrow throws their pinecones in the air. If a crow catches a pinecone, it’s safe. If not, it’s scared away (eliminated). Play until one Crow is left. They win.

You’ll need: Pinecones, scarecrow outfit.

Hard mode: Play with less pinecones than there are Crows.

Float or Sink?

Get two buckets. Fill one with water and one with oil. Test out different objects (wood, metal, plastic) and players will try to guess if they’ll sink or float.

The player that guesses the most correctly wins.

You’ll need: Buckets, water, oil, wood, plastic, metal, household objects.

Hard mode: If a player guesses one wrong they are eliminated.

Foxes and Rabbits

With a large group, three players are deemed foxes. All other players are rabbits and have ten minutes to run away.

Foxes then must hunt the rabbits and tag them out. The last remaining rabbit wins. This game is best played in a forest or large area with places to run and hide.

You’ll need: Area to run.

Hard mode: Rabbits become foxes when they’re tagged.

Duck Hunter

One player is the Duck Hunter. All other players are Ducks. They stand in a line about 5 feet from the Duck Hunter. Everyone closes their eyes. Someone quacks and everyone opens their eyes. The Duck Hunter throws bean bags at the ducks. Ducks can run but the hunter can’t move. The hunter scores 1 point for each duck they hit. Take turns being the hunter.

You’ll need: Bean bags.

Hard mode: Duck players must waddle like ducks.

Crab Fest

Players split into two teams. Each player gets a shell. There are two buckets placed 20 feet away.

Each player must crab walk with their shell on their stomach to the bucket and place it in the bucket. If the shell falls off, they must start over. The first team to get all their shells in their bucket wins.

You’ll need: Shells, buckets.

Hard mode: Players must carry the shell on their forehead and drop it in the bucket without using their hands.

Wizard and Witch Race

Each player gets a broom. (Make your own for even more fun.) Design a simple obstacle course in a tight space so the brooms will bump into each other. If you knock over an obstacle, you must put it back. Players race through the course with the broom between their legs. First one to finish and yell, “Alakazam!” wins.

You’ll need: Broom, obstacles.

Hard mode: Players can cast spells at each other. (Throw glitter, snow shredded paper, leaves, etc.)

Any Season Egg Hunt

Just like at Easter when you hide chocolate eggs, except this time you adapt it for whatever season or holiday you wish. Halloween? Hide some candy. Christmas? Hide cookies and candy canes.

Have prizes for the players that find the most items, or the most of a certain type. (Doesn’t have to be food! You could hide tiny plastic toys, like dinosaurs.)

You’ll need: Themed stuff to hide.

Hard mode: Limit the time, and hide tiny stuff.

Scrambled Word Eggs

Print out a list of 10 words with at least six letters. Split players into teams of two. Each team has five minutes to break each word into smaller words using only the letters in the word.

Example: Playground. Play, ground, don, loud, round, plan, etc.

Score a point for each word players come up with. Play until 50 points.

You’ll need: Word list, timer.

Hard mode: Only score a point for unique words. If both teams have the same word, no points!

Elephant Math

Get a bathroom scale and 10 heavy objects. Players write down how much they think each item weighs. (After weighing each item, erase your guess.) The person that’s closest scores 1 point. If they nail it exactly, they score 2 points. Once you’ve weighed all the items, weigh 2 or 3 items at once, and see if players can remember what their weights add up to.

You’ll need: Scale, heavy-ish stuff.

Hard mode: Combine 5 items in the second round.

Hula Cones

Players take turns throwing hula hoops and onto traffic cones. Cones that are closer to the players should be further apart from each other. Far cones can be grouped together. So if you land a hard shot you’ll score more points. Each cone is worth 1 point. Each player throws 3 hoops per turn. Play 5 turns. Whoever has the most points at the end is the winner.

You’ll need: Traffic cones.

Hard mode: Use smaller hula hoops and spread out the cones.

That’s all, folks!

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