Outdoor activities provide a carefree atmosphere where children and adults can run, yell, be silly, bond and get fresh air. When you play games outside you are getting exercise and burning calories without the concentrated effort. According to MayoClinic.com, outdoor exercise increases your energy level and boosts your immune system.
Croquet
Croquet helps develop your hand and eye coordination. The game consists of six wooden mallets, two wooden stakes and nine wire wickets. The start and end positions are designated by the placement of the wooden stakes in the ground. The wickets are randomly placed throughout the yard like an obstacle course. Players take turns hitting their balls through the wire wickets. The first person to clear the last wicket and hit the wooden stake is the winner. It sounds easier than it is; anytime you play a game on grass you have to maneuver around the natural peaks and valleys of natural turf.
Horseshoes
This classic game is easy to set up and can be played anywhere that you have some room. The game consists of four horseshoes and two stakes. The stakes are placed in the ground 40 feet apart and each player is given two horseshoes. The goal of the game is to be the first to reach 21 points with a two-point spread. Horseshoes can be played with individual players or as a team of players. Each player or team takes turns throwing a horseshoe in an attempt to get it as close to the stake as possible. A horseshoe within 6 inches of the stake is worth one point; a horseshoe leaning against the stake is two points; and a horseshoe encircling the stake is three points.
Badminton
Badminton is a traditional yard game that is played with a net, a shuttlecock and rackets. The game can be played with two players or two teams of two players. The goal of the game is to win the match. A match involves winning two of three games. A game consists of 21 points. The player or team that successfully volleys the shuttlecock until the other misses scores a point. If the score becomes tied at 20-20, the first to score two consecutive points is the winner. If the score reaches 29-29, the first to score a point is the winner.
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