Outdoor Party Games That Will Also Work Well in Large Indoor Venues Too.
If you are hosting a party outside, then it’s a great excuse for planning lots of fun and energetic outdoor party games to tire the children out! Most of the games below would work equally well in a large indoor venue too, such as a church hall or a gymnasium.
If you are in a new space that you don’t know well, then make sure you do a quick recce to check the area for any hazards before you start the games. If outside, it’s best if you are clear where the children are allowed to go and where the boundaries are and make sure they know not to talk to strangers.
Old School Sports Day
Tug of War
Three Legged Race
Sack Race
Egg and Spoon Race
Relay Races
Sweet Bowl
Each team has an empty bowl and at the far end of the room they have a bowl filled with an equal number of sweets (or buttons) for each team. In relay style, each child has to run and collect a sweet from the far end and bring it back to the empty bowl and then the next child goes. The team that transfers all the sweets from the far end first is the winner.
Getting Dressed Relay
At one end there is a basket for each team and then one at a time each child has to run to the basket, put all the clothes on and then off again and run back and tag the next team member and so on. You could also do this fancy dress outfits, particularly if it’s a themed party.
Chain Relay
A relay where the first child runs to the end and back and then holds hand with the second child and they both run to the end and back. They then hold hands with the third child and run to the end and back and so on. Make sure you have the most energetic children run first, as they will end up doing a lot of running!
Knock Kneed Relay
A team relay race where the children have to run with a ball or an orange between their knees.
Sponge Relay
Best played on a hot day! Put a bucket full of water at the start line and an empty bowl at the finish line. The goal is to fill the bowl at the finish line with water carried in the sponge. The team who has the fullest bucket after a set time or once the music stops is the winner.
Ball Games
Team Sports
Football, quick cricket, rounders, volley ball etc.
Shoot and Score
Set up a line of coloured buckets and the children have to throw the balls into the buckets to score – each of the coloured buckets has a different number of points when you score.
Tennis Cricket
One child (the batter) has a tennis racket and must stand with their feet together and not move. The other children bowl a tennis ball and try to hit the batters legs below the knee and the batter has to try to hit the ball away, so the ball doesn’t touch their legs (without moving their feet). If the batter is hit below the knee or the ball they hit is then caught by one of the other children, then the batter is out.
Ball Tag
One child has a soft ball and throws it, to try and hit the other children below the knee. If a child is hit below the knee, they are out.
Garden Games
Team Games
Pass the Orange
Each team stands in a line and passes the orange from the first child down the line to the last child, only holding the orange between their chin and chest.
Under/Over
Each team stands in a line and passes the balloon from the first child down the line to the last child. The first child passes the balloon through their legs, the next passes it over their head and the next through their legs and so on.
Capture the Flag
Form two teams and divide the room or outdoor space into two halves. Each team has a flag which they hide in their half and also a ‘jail’, which could be a hula hoop. The aim is for each team to try and grab the flag of the other team. If a child from one team enters the other teams half of the field and they get tagged, then they go to ‘jail’ and have to remain there until one of their team members tags them. The winning team is the first one to capture the oppositions flag.
Other Games
Fishing
Set out a paddling pool full of water and you could either play hook the duck or if you prefer not to use water, then fish with magnetic rods and fish. NB. Don’t leave paddling pools filled with water unattended.
Balloon on a String
Each child ties a balloon to their ankle with a piece of string (about 50cm long). While the music plays, the children walk around trying to burst the other children’s balloon and protect their own. The winner is the last child left with a balloon in tact.
Bubbles
For young children, bubbles are always a win. You can buy bubble machines for a very reasonable amount. NB. Lots of bubbles can make the floor very slippery, so be careful if you do this indoors.
Cross the Lava
Split the children into teams and give each team an equal number of ‘stepping stones’ (these could be something like placemats from IKEA). The children have to work together in their teams to get from one side of the room/field to the other, just stepping on the stepping stones.
