Eine Gruppe von Kindern beim Sackhüpfen in der freien Natur.

Outdoor children's games for the ultimate family fun

Family time is quality time ! Imagine it's summer, the weather is good and you want to spend time with your family, have fun with your little ones - and especially outside in the fresh air. Do you need some tips for cool, exciting and fun outdoor games ? Then this story is just right for you.

Playing is fun for everyone, whether young or old. Playing also has a number of advantages for children : they discover the world little by little. Especially when it involves exercise games outside in the fresh air and the challenges are designed to be child-friendly. We have summarized the advantages for you:

 

  • Playing promotes children's motor skills and concentration .
  • Children learn teamwork and conflict skills and fair play .
  • Failure and disappointment are addressed through games.
  • Playing promotes a sense of community and empathy.
  • Children learn how to deal with rules through play.
  • Games develop emotional , mental and physical abilities .
  • Children's thinking skills and creativity are stimulated.

In addition, by playing outdoor games in the fresh air, you will create lots of family memories and at the same time strengthen your emotional bond with your children. Who knows, maybe one or two beloved games will develop into a new family tradition , such as flying kites in the fall?

You see, playing does a lot of good things for your children's development . So: Get out into the fresh air and then play outside with your children as much as you can!

Because: Not only trips with children are a perfect leisure activity in the fresh air. Outdoor games for children and adults offer wonderful variety and are often more exciting and rewarding for the little ones than short trips and trips to the surrounding area. Whether the sun is shining or it is raining: we will show you games that are fun for the whole family.

 

 

Viking chess: outdoor fun for children

 

Did you know that Viking chess comes from the far north and can be traced back to the times of the Vikings? Hence the naming. The Swedish board game, also called “Kubb” , is also a popular outdoor game in this country for children as well as adults who enjoy playing and is a suitable children's game for outside on birthdays or summer parties . Get the wooden equipment or make it together with your little ones. You need ten square wooden blocks , six round throwing sticks and four corner sticks to define the playing field. The most important thing: the king . To play you need a large area in the garden , park or by the lake and get started.

The rules for the fun outdoor game:

  • Form two teams that line up against each other on the sidelines .
  • Dimensions of the playing field: 8x10 or 5x8 meters (i.e. 8x5 or 5x4 meters per team). If there are children, we recommend the smaller size. Of course, you can also work with individual playing field dimensions.
  • In the middle of the playing field you place the king
  • Each team gets five square blocks that are placed in a line in front of the team
  • The teams try one after the other to knock over the opposing team's square blocks with the round throwing sticks . Only when a team has knocked over all of the opposing team's blocks can they attempt to knock over the king.
  • The team that knocks down all the square blocks and the king wins

For optimal strengthening in between meals, we recommend the Dextro Energy Gums * . The handy fruit gums in different flavors are perfect as a small snack between two rounds of Kubb!

 

 

Spike Ball – the new game trend of the summer

 

You may have noticed Spike Ball in the park or at the lake. The fun outdoor game from the USA is fun for the whole family. The equipment: a small ball and a circular net similar to a trampoline (you can get it online or at your sports store). The ball is thrown onto the net with the aim that the opposing team cannot catch it and it falls to the ground . An outdoor movement game that is played with the whole body , as it is not just the hands that can be used.

The rules for Spike Ball are straightforward and child's play:

  • Form two teams that line up in a circle around the net.
  • The ball may only be touched three times by each team before being thrown .
  • If the ball falls to the ground for one team, the other team scores a point.
  • The first team to reach 21 points wins the game.

You see a very simple outdoor game that even small children can play as there are not many rules. Spike Ball can also be modified for the little ones and they get their money's worth when they throw the ball onto the net.

 

 

Ski jumping in summer – a fun exercise game for outside

 

Ski jumping as a game in summer ? You're probably wondering how this is supposed to work. We'll explain the perfect outdoor children's game to keep your little ones happy and exercise them at the same time. You need one meter long wooden slats , a ribbon and a folding rule . Attach the ribbon to the wooden slats like loops so that the shoes can then be tied to the wooden slats .

An outdoor game for children that doesn't have many rules:

  • The ski jumping child stands at a starting line .
  • Now you try to jump forward from a standing position using the wooden slats that are attached to your feet.
  • You can easily set the number of times each child can jump.
  • The distance you jumped is then measured .

Unlimited and safe fun for your little ones and the perfect children's game for the next birthday party. This is how the children can enjoy professional winter sports in the summer.

 

 

Bowling with a difference: outdoor water fun for children

 

Do you and your kids love going bowling? Then we have now found the perfect alternative for you in the summer : water bowling . The nice thing about this fun outdoor game: It can be played in a large team or just by two people - and the equipment is part of every household. All you need is two plastic bottles full of water and a ball .

And these are the rules of the water outdoor game for children:

  • Draw two lines that mark the playing field (a little tip: the older your children are, the larger you can make the playing field).
  • The two teams stand opposite each other on the marked lines.
  • In front of each team there is an open plastic bottle filled with water on the line.
  • Now each team has to take turns trying to knock over or roll over the plastic bottle with the ball so that the water runs out.
  • If the plastic bottle has fallen over, the team to which the bottle belongs must first get the ball and then put the plastic bottle back up again - speed and skill count here!
  • The team whose plastic bottle is empty first loses .
  • The number of rounds can be set depending on your mood

 

 

Pack up your family, find a quiet spot in the park or by the lake and play a bowling tournament outside with the kids that has never been seen before. By the way, it's also a perfect exercise game for birthdays and summer parties that take place outside . And for a snack in between, try the Dextro Energy* Minis . The energy-providing dextrose bars in different flavors and with vitamin C are always well received.

 

 

Children in a meadow run after a wind kite.

Outdoor children's games for endless fun and more creativity.

 

 

The classic outdoor activity: flying a kite

 

If the wind and weather are right, it's high time to find a nice, spacious spot and fly a kite . The classic brings you together, requires coordination and strength and is simply fun.

Here are some tips and tricks to get your kite safely into the air:

  • The optimal wind strength for kite flying is between 3-6 . Wind force 3 is ideal for smaller beginners.
  • It is important to determine the wind direction and position yourself with your back to the wind .
  • With the line in hand, you should walk backwards and wait for the wind to lift the kite high into the sky .

Another tip: You can fly your kite anywhere in Germany . However, observe the air traffic regulations by flying the kite in an area free of high-voltage lines and electricity pylons and maintaining a distance of at least 600 meters from such objects - this will make flying the kite an unforgettable experience.

 

 

And for rainy days: simple children's fun with puddles

 

What can you do when it rains ? Each of us has asked ourselves this question. Do outdoor games with children literally fall through? We'll convince you otherwise and tell you how you can make the most of the wet weather for yourself and for fun games outside . Rain doesn't have to mean slow family time , even if some rest is often necessary.

Did you know that there are countless ways to incorporate puddles into children's outdoor play ? Above all, these are outdoor games that are well suited for small children . We have summarized six variants for you. Get on the puddle, get set, go!

 

 

  • Build ships and boats and let them float in puddles.
  • Measuring puddles : Mark the depth of the puddle with a stick and discover the deepest puddles together in your fun outdoor game.
  • Climbing puddles on one leg : Jump through puddles first with your left leg, then with your right, counting how many puddles you have jumped through.
  • Catching “fish” in puddles : Let tree leaves float in puddles and the children try to fish for the “fish” with a stick before quickly pulling them out of the puddle with their hands.
  • Puddle fairy tale : Tell your children a story - as soon as the words “rain”, “puddle” or “wet” appear, the little ones have to jump into a puddle very quickly.
  • Puddle Boccia : Place a stone in a large puddle. Take turns throwing small pebbles into the middle. If someone hits the big stone with the pebble, he or she wins.

Anything that has to do with puddles means endless fun for children . Use puddle games with children outside to keep them entertained and exercise at the same time, even in bad weather . In such moments , wet and dirty children's clothing is simply a problem for the future and should be ignored with a clear conscience when planning varied children's and family games in bad weather.

When planning, focus on fun, unforgettable experiences and enough snacks . Pack the Dextro Energy* muesli bars for in between meals. Strawberry or yogurt flavor, it doesn't matter - your hungry family will thank you.

Whether you fly a kite, play Viking chess or jump in puddles: outdoor games for children are extremely important for their development and are also incredibly fun. By the way, also for the adults who are children at heart...

 

Health Claims

* contains carbohydrates

Photo credit

iStock.com/Caiaimage/Robert Daly

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