When the weather is nice, turn off the television and take everyone outside for some lawn games. Whether you have a weekly outdoor fun day or save the games for special occasions, both kids and adults will enjoy the fresh air and healthy competition. Most games can be adapted for all ages.
Water Relay
Divide the players into two teams. Each team will need one bucket filled with water, an empty bucket or plastic milk jug cut off below the spout and a large sponge. Line the team members up behind the buckets of water. Place the empty containers approximately 20 to 30 feet away. At the sound of "Go," the first players on each team fill their sponges with water, run to the empty bucket, squeeze as much water out of their sponges as possible and run back. They hand off their sponges to the next players who do the same thing. The first team to empty the original water bucket and fill the other one with water wins the relay.
Pick Pocket Tag
Disney Family recommends a game of pick pocket tag. Place strips of cloth in each player's back pocket, or tuck it into the waistband. At the sound of a whistle, have the players try to grab each other's strips without losing their own. The game is over when everyone has lost their strips of cloth. The person who has grabbed the most strips wins.
Tossing Games
Purchase ready-to-play tossing games or improvise with items around your house and garage. All you need are things to toss and a target, which can be a large piece of wood with a hole big enough for the items to pass through or an empty container. The players can compete individually, or divide them into teams. If you have small children, allow them to stand closer to the target while tossing. The person or team tossing the most items into the container or through the hole wins the game.
Obstacle Course
AmazingMoms recommends setting up an obstacle course for outdoor gatherings. Have starting and ending points, with a variety of obstacles in between. Divide the players into two teams. Use lawn equipment for the players to crawl under or hop over, a garden hose to walk on and balls that must be balanced or tossed. Time players on each team, and the group with the lowest total time wins.
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