Children love to play

  • Fun outdoor games for six or more people

    • children pay game with flag

      Capture the Flag

      This classic outdoor game for kids requires six or more people and two flags (pieces of fabric in different colors). Start by dividing your yard into two adjoining courts that are roughly the same size and large enough to make the game fun (but the size can vary depending on available space). Split the players into two teams, and have each place a flag near the back of their court. The object of the game: Players must dash into the opposing team's court and steal their flag. A player becomes "out" if they get tagged, and they win the game if they successfully capture the flag.

    • children run

      Kick the Can

      Gather four people and designate someone as "It." This child kicks an empty can while the other players hide. After they count to 100, the kicker sets the can upright, and they shout, "Ready or not, here I come." They then search for other players in the area. Once they find someone, they yell the player's name out loud. Both people race to the can and try to kick it. The game ends if the hider succeeds in kicking the can first. But if the kicker succeeds, the hider becomes trapped near the can and the game continues. Captives can become free if other hiders kick the can without being spotted. The game ends once everyone has been captured.

    • People are hiding behind the couch

      Sardines

      Sardines is a twist on hide-and-seek. Here's how to play this easy outdoor game for kids: One person hides, and everyone else searches for the hider. Once a player finds the hider, they join them in the hiding spot. The last person to find the hidden group (who ends up looking like a bunch of sardines) loses the game—and becomes the first person to hide in the next round.

  • See your neighbourhood with new eyes

    1. Alphabet street

      Try to find all the letters of the alphabet when you are out. They could be found letters or letters that you find from shapes in architecture.

    2. Pretend you're a tourist

      Become a tourist in your local area - if you were a visitor for the day what outdoor spot would you head to? What pictures would you take? What would you write in a postcard? Navigate around and find out what's hiding just beyond your doorstep.

    3. Try geocaching

      Geocaching is a treasure hunt that uses coordinates to direct you to hidden containers called caches.