Back in the day we didn’t have iPads to keep us occupied, we ran around outside playing games and building forts. And what about those legendary playground games that seemed to go on for hours but were only the course of a lunch break?
Some of the best memories are the ones outdoors and with half term around it’s a great opportunity to play those games with your kids! We put together some of the best classic children’s games that will appeal to your kids as well as bring up some nostalgia!
Hide and Seek
This one is almost as old as time and can be played inside and out. Some people hide and someone is the seeker, the game isn’t over until everyone is found. It’s as simple as that!
Stuck in the mud
Two people are ‘It’ and they catch the rest of the group. If someone is caught they are ‘stuck’ holding their arms out with their legs wide. Someone else has to crawl through the legs or under the arms to get them unstuck.
Grandmother’s Footsteps
Someone stands with their back to the others. The group has to try and creep up behind person and tap them on the shoulder before they turn around. If they turn around and points to someone moving, that person has to go back to the start.
Tug of War
Two teams. One rope. One line in the sand. Whichever team can pull the other one over the line wins!
What’s the time Mr Wolf?
This one is a bit like Grandmother’s Footsteps with someone with their back to a group. The group creeps closer asking ‘What’s the time Mr Wolf?’ The Wolf then shouts whatever random time they like. But when the Wolf thinks the kids are close he can change it up to ‘Dinner time!’, turn around and catch the closest kid.
Wink murder
Someone is sent outside to be the detective. Someone is assigned as the murderer. The detective comes back in and has to identify the murderer. The murderer has to wink at members of the group without attracting attention. The detective only has 3 guesses to get it right!
Duck duck goose
A group sits in a circle with one person standing up outside of the circle. The one standing up goes around the circle tapping people on the head as ‘duck, duck..’ until they reach someone who is ‘goose!’ The goose has to catch the person before they sit back down in the place the goose has just vacated.
British bulldog
This is best played with a big group of people over a big expanse. There are bulldogs in the middle and people on either side, usually up against a wall. The people have to get to the other side without being caught, and if they are caught then they also become bulldogs. The last man standing is the winner!
Simon says
This one always catches people out! The nominated Simon tells you what to do, but has to say ‘Simon says’ before every instruction. If anyone follows the action without him saying ‘Simon says’ they’re out!
Capture the flag
Another one that is better played in a big group, and if you know the neighbourhood well could be played in an area much bigger than a garden. Two teams exist, each with a flag on their own territory. As the name suggests each team has to capture the flag from the opposing team, but then bring it back to their own territory. If you are caught by someone of the opposite team you are sent to ‘jail’ where you must wait until you are liberated. The team that captures the flag and brings it back wins!