Kids nowadays spend a lot of time playing games on phones and watching cartoons and videos online. They don’t often go outside to play. Hey there, parents! Maybe you want your kids to enjoy playing games outside, like badminton, hopscotch, or tag – just like you used to do when you were their age.But your child might also play virtual versions of these games. So, what’s the solution? You can explore some more fun and exciting games and activities to get your kids moving around – and we’ve got some ideas for you. We’ve put together a list of enjoyable activities, both indoor and outdoor for kids, to keep your child and their friends happily active for a long time.
Indoor Activities for kids:
Trying to find fun stuff to do at home with kids can be a bit tricky, especially now. As it gets colder outside, your kid might be inside a lot. But guess what? Being indoors doesn’t have to be dull!
Some parents might think indoor games mean sitting around playing board games. Those are cool, but indoor games can also get kids up and moving, help them make friends, and even make learning fun. And the best part? You can do it all right at home!
1. Magical Game
Picture this: a coin under one of three cups. Shuffle the cups and let your kids guess where the coin is. You can make it even cooler by tricking them a little. They’ll be amazed when the coin disappears! And you’ll have fun too.
2. Card games
Cards are awesome for challenging your brain and having a blast indoors. Get a deck of cards and try out some classic games. Trust me, it’s a good time.
3. Puzzles
Puzzles are like brain workouts that are super fun. You can use ones from the store or make your own. Get creative and draw a picture on a strong piece of paper.
3. Paper-bag skits
This is a game for when you have lots of friends over, like a sleepover. Divide into teams, grab a bag of random stuff, and make up a funny play. It’s all about having fun, no need to compete.
4. Indoor hopscotch
Remember hopscotch? You can play it indoors too! Stick some tape on the floor to make squares and hop away. Just use a coin or something as your marker.
5. DIY balance beam
Use that tape again to make a balance beam. Put on music and take turns walking on it. You can even make it trickier by walking backward or balancing on one foot.
6. Hide and Seek
Who doesn’t love Hide and Seek? One person counts while the rest hide. The last person found becomes the next counter. If you’re feeling brave, try it in the dark!
7. Treasure hunt
Here’s a fun one: leave clues around the house and follow them to find a hidden treasure. You can use coins as the treasure. It’s like a fun detective game!
8. Indoor basketball
No height restrictions here! Grab a bucket and a rolled-up sock. Take turns tossing the sock into the bucket. Step back if you make it and see who’s the champ from far away.
So, there you go! Tons of indoor fun for you and your friends or family. Have a blast!
Outdoor Activities for Kids:
Need some awesome ideas to get your kids playing outside? No worries, we’ve got you covered! We’ve found all the cool outdoor games for kids, so you don’t have to search. This article is full of easy play ideas that help your kids explore, play together, and use their imagination. We’ll give you all the tips you need to convince your kids to go outside, even if they want to stay indoors.
1. Discover Geocaching:
Unveiling outdoor treasures with GPS gadgets geocaching is like a super cool treasure hunt game that happens outside and involves special GPS devices. Just follow the GPS directions to track down a hidden treasure called a “geocache” in a specific spot. This guide can help you get started on this exciting adventure.
2. Craft a Park Wish List:
Creating a collection of parks to explore make a list of parks you’re really excited to visit. It’s kind of like putting together a list of awesome outdoor places you want to check out and have fun in.
3. Bubble Bonanza:
Grab a big pan, add some bubble solution, and use a giant bubble wand to see who can blow the biggest bubble. It’s bubble-tastic!
4. Splash-tastic Water Play:
Kids absolutely love playing in water. You can wash a car, water plants, run through sprinklers, slide on a wet slide, jump into an inflatable pool, or even set up a water table. So many cool ways to enjoy water!
5. Dive into a New Sport:
Get into a new sport like dodgeball, wiffle ball, or soccer. Playing with friends makes it even more exciting to be outside and active.
6. Sidewalk Masterpieces:
Let your creativity shine by making sidewalk art. Grab some colorful chalk and draw on the ground. You can even use pictures or stencils to help you come up with cool ideas.
7. Rock Climbing Adventure:
Let’s go ‘bouldering’ with your kids! It’s like climbing on rocks, something kids really enjoy. Find a safe place where you can climb on rocks and have loads of fun.
8. Al Fresco Dinner:
Have dinner on your porch, deck, or in your backyard. It’s a nice change from eating inside and gives you a chance to enjoy the outdoor atmosphere while you eat.
9. Sail the Mini Seas:
Build a small boat that can float in a stream. Your kids will be super excited to give it a try, although you might need to take a little walk to find a stream for your boat adventure.
10. Create Outdoor Challenges like ‘Survivor’:
Turn your backyard into an adventure zone by coming up with challenges for your kids to tackle, similar to the challenges on the ‘Survivor’ TV show. Make it even more exciting by offering a special reward at the end, like spending quality time with Mom or Dad or getting a break from kitchen chores.
11. Fun with Toy Rotation:
Make playing with toys a blast by trying out an outdoor toy rotation plan. Kids love rediscovering toys they haven’t seen in a while. Divide your outdoor toys into three groups and keep one batch of toys available at a time. Think about items like bubbles, balls, kites, jump ropes, skateboards, sports gear, and water squirters.
12. Outdoor Activity Jar:
Help kids who struggle to decide on activities with an outdoor activity jar. Write down various outdoor activities on popsicle sticks and place them in a jar. When your kids want something to do outside, they can pick a stick and do that activity. Keep the activities simple and doable, such as spending a short time at the park, watering plants, creating a water shooting range, gathering flowers, or drawing with sidewalk chalk. There’s an abundance of fun ideas to choose from!
13. Regular Activities, Outdoor Style:
You can even bring your regular indoor activities outside. Whether it’s doing homework, enjoying meals, crafting, reading books, or playing games, you can do it all while soaking up the outdoors! You don’t need an elaborate outdoor setup; just find a comfy shady spot and lay down a blanket to create your own outdoor haven.
14. Creative Outdoor Art:
If you’re tired of messy projects inside the house, take them outdoors! Here are some fun ideas: Have a playdough picnic where your kids can make pretend food using playdough. Try nature art by collecting leaves, flowers, sticks, seeds, and pine cones to make artwork from nature. You can also bring paints outside and set up an easel so your kids can paint scenes from nature.
15. Watching the Sky:
Look up at the sky and discover stars or find shapes in the clouds. You can spread out a blanket, use binoculars or a telescope, and enjoy the sky’s beauty.
16. Enjoy a Bonfire:
Have a bonfire with your family, but make sure you follow safety rules and watch over the fire activities. It’s a wonderful way to create special memories and have fun together outdoors.
17. Help Clean Up:
Kids can care a lot about taking care of the environment, and they might even get excited about it! Cleaning up litter is important and you can turn it into a game or a mission to help our planet.
18. Join a Race:
Look for a local race that your family can participate in. If you have younger kids, you can push a jogging stroller and run together as a family.
19. Zoom on Wheels:
Ride scooters, bikes, or tricycles for a fun time on wheels. Create a mini racecourse and have a friendly competition.
20. Weeding Adventure:
Let your kids help with the yard by pulling weeds. You can even give them a penny for every weed they pull, which could make it more exciting.
21. Pick Your Own:
Find a place where you can pick your own fresh produce right from the plants. It’s like a yummy adventure in nature.
22. Bug and Leaf Hunt:
Search for bugs or leaves in your surroundings. Try to find 10 different kinds and learn about them.
23. Nature Photography:
Borrow your phone camera to your kids and see how many different types of animals and plants they can find and take pictures of. It’s like creating a nature photo album.
Fun Learning Activities for 4-6Year-Olds
Your child is probably learning about sounds and letters at school. You can help them practice these skills while playing games at home. There are other activities that can help your child with speaking, listening, and math skills too. If you’re not sure what your child is learning in school, you can find more information on our school section.
Here are some fun things you can do with your kids to help them learn and have a good time:
1. Rhyming Games:
Listen to stories that have words that sound the same, like “The Gruffalo” by Julia Donaldson.
Play games where you say words that sound similar, like “cat” and “hat.”
Make up funny jokes that rhyme, like “What do you call a smelly elephant? A smellyphant!”
2. Phonics Games
Play games with letters and sounds. You can make cards with letters and play games like snap or bingo.
Use magnets and string to “fish” for letters.
When you’re outside, play games like “I spy” using letter sounds.
3. Memory Games
Play a game called “Kim’s game.” Look at things on a tray, cover them up, and try to remember them.
Talk about and remember things you’ve done together, like a day at the park.
Make a shopping list and try to remember what’s on it.
4. Listening Games
How about playing a game called “Simon says”? It’s a fun way to practice listening and doing what someone tells you to do.
Listen to music and talk about the different instruments you hear.
5. Action Games
Make a puppet show and have your child use puppets to tell a story.
Dress up and act out stories together.
Play pretend games like “What’s the time Mr Wolf?”
6. Tactile Games
Use magnetic letters to spell words on the fridge.
Make letters or simple words with modeling clay.
Have fun doing jigsaw puzzles together.
7. Screen Games
Watch TV shows based on books and then read the books.
Explore websites or apps that tell stories and have games.
8. Car Journey Games
Play word games in the car, like making sentences with a specific word.
Look for specific things on the road and call them out.
9. Out and About Activities
Read labels on things while shopping and have your child find the items.
Visit libraries or community centers for special activities.
Explore places related to what your child is learning at school.
10. Reading Books Together
Keep reading different kinds of books together, like picture books, pop-up books, and more.
Record your child reading for fun.
Have a blast trying out these activities with your kids.
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