With their addiction to screen time via television, computers and video games, getting children outside for fresh air, vitamin D from the sun and the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity a day can be a challenge. While larger groups can organize a game of softball, volleyball or basketball, smaller groups can't fill two competing teams; however, small groups of two to five children can play a number of outdoor games that promote coordination, flexibility, rhythm, cooperation and healthy competition.
Dance Games
With plenty of space outside, any number of kids can let loose and bust a move in dance games. In freeze dance, kids dance until the judge stops the music. The second the music stops, the dancers must freeze in position. If a dancer fails to freeze, or falls out of the frozen position before the music begins again, that dancer exits the game. With a copycat dance party, one child starts his own dance moves and the other children try to copy his moves. The children take turns learning new moves from one another. Children also can dress in costumes that are safe for outdoor play.
Jump Rope Games
With at least three participants, children can jump with a long jump rope. Two children turn the rope and one or more children jump in the middle of the rope. Children can perform jump-rope action songs and take turns turning the rope. Chinese jump rope also requires only three participants. Two players hold the Chinese jump rope in place at their ankles, and one child jumps in a pattern. Each time the jumper successfully completes the pattern, the children raise the rope higher on their legs. Once the jumper makes an error on the pattern, she loses her turn and helps hold the rope in place for a new jumper.
Catch Games
Two kids can play catch with a ball, football or flying disc, or more children can join in to add to the formation. Three kids can stand in a triangle and four kids can stand in a square. In one version of catch, each time all the participating children throw and catch the ball without dropping it, the children take a step back, increasing the difficulty of the game. In keep-away catch, one child stands in the middle of the formation and tries to grab the flying item in mid-air. For another variation, on each toss a child must throw a different way than he did before, such as from behind his back, through his legs, overhand or underhand.
Race Games
Races work great with a small group because you don't need a certain number of children. While the point of every race is the same -- to get from start to finish the fastest -- every race can be performed differently. Children can race in potato sacks, or by skipping, jumping or even somersaulting across a field. You can add obstacles to the race, or make the race a relay in teams of two if you have at least four children. Younger children might enjoy racing as animals -- acting out the hops of a bunny or the gallop of a horse, for example.
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