I was recently contacted by someone doing research for Tiger Sheds with regards to how children play in the outdoors. She had written an article with some suggestions for games that groups of kids can play outside. We as a family really love the outdoors and I will always try and get my kids outside at least once a day regardless of the weather. Sometimes they do just need a bit of direction and they are off. Have a read and see what you think.
Article below is a guest post
According to statistics on adventureintheoutdoors.com, children are spending on average 6 hours of the day watching TV or playing computer games, with 50% of children between the ages 8-16 watching TV for 5 hours a day.
There are many reasons, why children are spending less time outdoors. Their busy lifestyles of clubs, teams, friends and school, as well as our own busy schedule, are keeping them form spending time outside. There is also the concern for their safety, the growing number of cars both driving and parked (therefore being in the way of play), and the growing intolerance of seeing young people lurking around the streets, as highlighted by the guardian.
Often, when children do find a safe place to play outside, they will return to computer games as they simply don’t know what kind of games they could play. Even though all these reasons for not wanting children to play outside as much as they used to, the main and most important one being their safety are valid, there is a way to let them enjoy the outdoors while being safe and teaching them some fun games they can cherish forever.
A group of 4 to 8 children or more if you’re feeling up to it, creates more fun for these games. You may want to invite some of the kids’ friends round to help with the numbers, or you may want to get your own kids to bond with each other more through play. Once you have a group of children, you can teach them some of the old classics in the safety of your own garden. Go through the rules with them and supervise for the first 2 or 3 rounds, and once you know they’re having a good time, leave them to it.
You can also give them the freedom to roam the other facilities of your garden. As it is still cold outside, consider clearing out or at least making some space in your garden shed , and add some chairs and a small table to it. Bring out some drinks and snacks, and it won’t only be their headquarters for plotting their next adventure, but their refreshment area, too.
Here’s some inspiration on what you could teach them to play, and a reminder of the rules.
1. Red Light- Green Light
Personally, I recommend starting with this game, as it starts off slow and then becomes more interesting, so it’s a good option of getting the kids used to the concept of playing outside. The rules are simple:
One player, the traffic light, has their back to the group and shouts ‘Green Light’. The group takes slow steps toward the traffic light. The traffic light faces the group and shouts ‘Red Light’. No one is allowed to move during a red light. If someone does move, they have to return to the starting point. The first person to reach the traffic light wins, and becomes the next traffic light.
2. Freeze Tag
Freeze tag is just like your traditional tag, except that when someone is caught, they’re not ‘it’ instead they have to freeze where they are. They can be unfrozen by another player, but whoever is ‘it’ can also catch the player trying to free the frozen one.
3.Wolf’s Dinner Time
This game combines the tactics of the first game with the speed needed for the second. One player is Mr Wolf, and the rest of the group faces him from a distance of about 15 feet. Mr Wolf has his back to the group. The group shouts ‘What’s the time Mr Wolf?’, and the Mr Wolf turns to the group and must answer with a time. If Mr Wolf says ‘6 o’clock’, then the group takes six steps toward him. The wolf then turns his back on the group again. He may only face them when answering them. Once the wolf believes the group to be close enough, without peeking in between his answers, his answer becomes ‘Dinnertime!’ and he chases the group with the intention of gobbling them up. Whoever he catches becomes the next Mr Wolf.
These three games are merely examples of some of the classic and still fun outdoor games. There are many others and kids love learning new things, so tell them your favourite games, too. You could also encourage them to come up with their own games, once they’ve got the hang of the classics. Outdoors needn’t be boring or dangerous. It can be a fun and safe adventure.
