2 of 30

Write now Article Tools

As the weather grows warmer and the days longer, it is natural to want to be outdoors. The outdoors can provide an oppurtunity to bring your family together for some outdoor activities. Backyard family games is a great way to spend time with your family and get your family active. Here are some good backyard games to get your heartrate up.

1)Badminton-It's a lively game that will really get your heart going while having a great time doing it. Get those rackets out and create some family backyard entertainment.

2)Tag or Chase-You don't need any equipment for this game. Just a few friends to run around chasing each other. Watch out not to get touched. Tag your it!

3)Hide and Seek-Have someone close their eyes and count to 10, while everyone else runs and hides. 1,2,3.... Ready or not here I Come.

4)Mini-Olympics-Compete in running,wheel barrow races, obstacle courses, water balloon tosses, and jumping contests. Finish off the fun with a mini-olympic award ceremony to honour all the athletes.

5)Dodgeball-Divide up into two teams and take turns throwing a ball back and forth to each other. You can catch the ball but be careful not to get hit or your out.

6)Red Light, Green Light-Have one person be the call person while others are lined up meter away. When the call person says green light you can run, walk with the yellow light, and stop on red. Whoever reaches the call person first, wins!

7)Tug of War- Grab a strong rope and divide into two teams. Put something on the ground in the center of the rope. Each team pulls as hard as they can to drag the other team across the center. Pull with all your might to drag the others across.

8)Simon says-You can play this old-fashioned kids game and incorporate excercise at the same time. Have someone be the leader and say "Simon says, do 5 jumping jacks" Continue doing this with other ways to exercise. For example push ups, run in place, and hop. Remember to say "Simon says".

9)Shark-This is kind of like tag. Set 3 hula hoops out to serve as dens for all the fish. One child gets to be the shark. When the shark says "Fishie,Fishie cross my ocean" all the fish have to move to a different den. If the shark tags a fish out of the den they become the new shark.

10)Mouse tails-Tuck pieces of string or yarn about a foot long into the back of kids shoes. After your "Go!" kids try to step on each other's tails. When all the tails are lost replace and repeat.

Learn more about this author, Andrea Simmons.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about A guide to backyard games that incorporate exercise?
We want to hear your view. Write now!