29/04/2020
With everything going on at the moment, we have been left with no option but to cancel our plans for summertime. Staying at home is the only option to keep ourselves safe from the virus.
Self-isolating at home by no means has to be dull and unproductive. In fact, there are so many creative ways to make the most of your quarantine situation, and we’re here to help you!
Let’s begin with these classic, fun outdoor games ideas that will surely help you and your family be entertained and keep the summer fun going during this stressful and uncertain time.
1. HIDE AND SEEK
One player closes his or her eyes for a brief period (often counting to 100) while the other players hide. The seeker then opens his eyes and tries to find the hiders; the first one found is the next seeker, and the last is the winner of the round.You could even add a “home base” where the seekers can run to while the seeker is away looking for them; if all of the hiders return safely, the seeker repeats as a seeker in the next round.
2. ULTIMATE FRISBEE
Divide your teams, and you can even involve your dog into the game if you have one. To score a point, you must catch the frisbee in one of the end zones, thrown by your teammates. When a point is scored, the teams will switch ends. For a pass to be legitimate, it has to be caught. For intercepting, you have to catch the frisbee or slam it to the ground.
3. TUG OF WAR
All you need is a rope and some players to play this game. Divide the teams. Mark the center of the rope. Place the rope on the ground with a flag. The flag and the marker on the rope should be in the same spot before the game begins. Mark the points on both sides of the rope beyond which the players are allowed to hold the rope. All players should get ready and hold the rope, and the game begins. Once a team succeeds at pulling the majority of the rope towards their side, they win the game.
4. OBSTACLE RACES
For kids who like to run and clamber, a DIY obstacle run is perfect. Create an obstacle course with things like tires or hula hoops, hay bales or boxes, string and anything else you have around. Have each kid race and time them with a stopwatch. Add a mud pit (or a kiddie pool of dirt and water) if you can. Prizes can be awarded for the one with the best time, whoever gets muddiest or whoever runs the race in the most entertaining way.
5. BEAN BAG LADDER TOSS
Grab a step ladder from the garage for this one. Label each of the rungs with points and have the kids toss bean bags to see how many points they can get.
6. PLAY CAMPING
Set up a ‘tent’ using an old blanket or sheet draped over a clothes airer, chairs or some canes. A great place to have a picnic as well. Collect sticks for a pretend campfire.
7. SPORTS DAY
This can be as simple or as complicated as you want. Start with some simple running races, and then you can try a sack race (a decent bin bag), an obstacle course, skipping or even an egg (hard-boiled) and spoon race.
8. SARDINES
Sardines is the opposite of hide-and-seek. One person is designated to hide while the others count. If you find the hidden person, you join them. Last person to find them loses.
9. PIGGY IN THE MIDDLE
You try to keep the ball away from one person while throwing it back and forth with your partner. If the person does get the ball, whoever threw it is now the monkey in the middle. No points, no winning, just keeping away.
10. RED LIGHT, GREEN LIGHT
One person is the traffic light . All remaining players stand on the starting line and the traffic light has their back to them. When the traffic light says “green light,” players try to run to the finish line. When the traffic light says “red light,” they turn around and the other players have to stop. First to pass the finish line wins and becomes the traffic cop.