We all know that kids nowadays like staying at home and spending their time on their phones, tablets and computers. That's okay for a while, but when it becomes an obsession and they get lethargic, lazy and start having health issues, it's no longer fun and games. Kids need to have outdoor activities, something that will engage their senses, develop their skills and benefit their health. There are many games you can engage them in your backyard or at the park.
Frisbee
The frisbee has been around for a long time and it has never lost its popularity. It's a great way to spend your free time outdoors with your kids. You could play in your backyard, at the park, at the beach or when you’re going camping. The versatile, compact and portable kids frisbee is a great way to make new memories and keep the kids physically active.
They come in many styles and designs and you should choose one depending on the environment you’re playing in and the age of the kids. They have developed a lot since their original form, and are not just flying plastic disks any more. They are sophisticated and have many interesting features on them. Some have solar power, some run on batteries and some even have Bluetooth speakers that can add music to your game time.
The first thing you should consider when buying is the weight. When you’re buying a disk for children it should be lighter. The weight of a lighter disk varies between 160-166g. As they grow older you can increase the weight up to 174g. But until they learn how to control it and how hard they throw it, stick to the lighter options.
Most frisbees are made from plastic. They're sturdy, durable and easy to throw. Plus, they’re easier to clean. Sometimes they can be thick and hard for children so you can go with other softer materials such as lightweight plastic or silicone. But most importantly, they should be durable. Frisbees take a lot of hits. They bump into rocks, trees, and pavements and fall into the water. That's why you need something that can stand up to a lot of wear and tear.
Instead of just throwing the disk around with no purpose (which can still be fun), try making it into a competitive game. Divide into 2 teams and create a field. Each team should try to advance and score with a pass in the opposite team’s end zone. Or get a big basket placed on one end and try to get the disk inside. This teaches kids fair play and teamwork and makes them competitive.
Hopscotch
This is a game that stood the test of time and has become of the favourites. It developed and improved over the years and a lot of new rules and variations appeared. All you need is chalk and a small flat object. Draw the outline of regular hopscotch on the pavement and the game can start. Try explaining the basic rules at first. When the kids learn them, they can adapt and add something new to them.
Throw the small object (stone, twig, beanbag) into the first square. Start hopping with one leg inside the squares. When you get to the 4-5 and 7-8 spots jump with both feet. Once you reach the 10, hop on both feet, turn around and do the same until you reach the square with the marker. Bend down (still on one leg) pick up the marker and finish the hop.
If the marker falls on the line or outside of it, you lose your turn and the next person should play. If you successfully finish the hop, throw the marker on the second square and repeat the actions. The goal of the game is to reach square number 10 first. Whoever does that, wins the game. This is a good game that improves the child’s balance and hand to feet coordination.
In case you get bored with these rules you can try the variations. You can set a timer for 30 seconds and each player should finish the course in that timeframe. If they don’t do it, they lose their turn. You could also try to kick the marker around the squares as you hop from one square to the other.
Another option is to give each square a category and when the marker land on it you should name something from that category (books, games, animals, plants, desserts). Hopscotch may not involve a lot of running like when playing with a kids' frisbee, but it still requires some effort to complete the game.
Hide & Seek
This is another classic game that’s fun to play. You choose one player that’s called a “seeker” and the rest are the “hiders”. The seeker usually leans to a tree, closes their eyes and counts to 100, or less, depending on what the group decides. While they’re counting, the hiders try to find a suitable place to hide so the seeker doesn’t find them. Once the countdown is over the search begins.
The first person that’s found is usually the next seeker and the last person to be found wins the game. This game has many variations around the world, but those are the basic rules. Just make sure you tell the kids if there are some off-limit spaces they should go in, places that may be dangerous where the child can fall or get trapped. Everyone should understand the importance of safety first.
Badmington
Badmington is a game that the whole family can enjoy. Besides playing with the children's frisbee, you can also grab a backpack with Badmington equipment and have fun at the park. Each player uses a racquet to hit the badminton birdie, also known as the shuttle, across the net to the rest of the players.
The other team scores a point if the shuttle touches down on the other side. The winning team is the first to score 21 points. You can play it as teams, doubles and singles. Make sure the weather is nice and there isn’t a lot of wind. It's a game suitable for many ages and you can adjust the rules accordingly.