The Ultimate List of Outdoor Party Games for Kids

When the sun is shining and the birds are chirping, there’s no better time to gather the little ones for some outdoor fun.

Whether you’re hosting a birthday bash, a family reunion, or simply want to add a splash of excitement to an ordinary weekend, outdoor party games for kids are the perfect way to keep the energy high and the smiles wide.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ve curated the ultimate list of outdoor party games guaranteed to delight kids of all ages. From classic favorites to innovative twists on timeless classics, these games are sure to keep the laughter ringing and the memories lasting long after the party ends.

So, grab your sunscreen, round up the troops, and get ready for an unforgettable day of outdoor play!

Water Balloon Toss

Fill balloons with water and pair kids up. Have them toss the balloons back and forth, taking a step back after each successful catch. The pair that tosses the balloon furthest without breaking it wins.

Sack Race

Provide each child with a burlap sack or pillowcase. Line them up and have them hop to the finish line. The first one to cross the line wins.

Obstacle Course

Set up various obstacles like cones, hula hoops, and tunnels in the backyard. Kids must navigate through the course as quickly as possible. Time each participant, and the fastest time wins.

Capture the Flag

Divide kids into two teams, each with their own flag. Place the flags at opposite ends of the playing area. The objective is to capture the other team’s flag and return it to your team’s territory without getting tagged.

Freeze Tag

One child is designated as “it” and tries to tag the others. When tagged, a player must freeze in place until another player unfreezes them by tagging.

Three-Legged Race

Pair kids up and have them stand side by side, with one leg tied to their partner’s. They must race to the finish line together without falling. The first pair to cross the line wins.

Duck, Duck, Goose

Kids sit in a circle, with one child walking around tapping heads, saying “duck” with each tap. Eventually, they tap a head and say “goose,” and the tapped child must chase and tag them before they can sit in the vacant spot.

Balloon Pop Relay

Divide kids into teams and give each team balloons and a needle. The first player pops a balloon, runs to a designated spot, and tags the next player. The team to pop all their balloons and cross the finish line first wins.

Limbo

Use a long stick or a rope as the limbo bar. Start with the bar at a comfortable height and have kids take turns bending backward to go under it without touching the ground. Lower the bar after each round, and eliminate players who touch the ground or the bar.

Tug of War

Divide kids into two teams and give each team an end of a rope. The teams must try to pull the rope to their side. The team that pulls the other team over a designated line wins.

Nature Scavenger Hunt

Create a list of items found in nature, such as pinecones, leaves, or flowers. Give each child a list and a bag. The first child to find all the items on their list wins.

Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest

Provide sidewalk chalk and designate an area for kids to create their masterpieces. Set a theme or let them unleash their creativity. Have a panel of judges or let everyone vote for their favorite.

Simon Says

One child plays the role of “Simon” and gives commands starting with “Simon says…” The other kids must follow the commands only if they begin with “Simon says…” If Simon gives a command without saying “Simon says” first and a child follows it, they’re out.

Hula Hoop Contest

Give each child a hula hoop and see who can keep it spinning the longest. You can also have a contest to see who can hula hoop while walking or doing other tricks.

Bubble Blowing Contest

Provide bubble solution and wands for each child. Set a timer and see who can blow the most bubbles in a minute or who can create the biggest bubble.

Sprinkler Tag

Turn on a sprinkler and let the kids run around. Designate one child as “it” and have them try to tag the others while everyone tries to avoid getting wet.

Egg and Spoon Race

Give each child a spoon and a hard-boiled egg (or a ping pong ball for less mess). Kids must balance the egg on the spoon while racing to the finish line. If the egg falls, they must stop and pick it up before continuing.

Ring Toss

Set up bottles or cones in a line at varying distances. Provide plastic rings for kids to toss and see how many they can land on the targets.

Giant Jenga

Create a giant Jenga set using wooden blocks. Kids take turns removing blocks from the tower and stacking them on top without knocking it over. The game continues until the tower collapses, and the last person to successfully stack a block wins.

Bean Bag Toss

Set up targets with different point values. Kids take turns tossing bean bags and trying to land them on the targets to score points. The player with the highest score after a set number of rounds wins. With these outdoor party games, you’re sure to keep the kids entertained and active for hours of fun in the sun!

Nature Bingo

Create bingo cards with pictures of different items found in nature. Kids search the yard or park for these items and mark them off on their cards. The first one to get a bingo wins a prize.

Hot Potato

Kids sit in a circle and pass around a potato (or any object) while music plays. When the music stops, whoever is holding the potato is out. The game continues until only one player remains.

Bubbles & Bubble Wrap

Set up stations with bubble solution and bubble wands. Also, lay out sheets of bubble wrap for kids to stomp on and pop.

Dinosaur Egg Hunt

Hide plastic dinosaur eggs filled with treats or small toys around the yard. Kids search for the eggs and collect them in baskets. The child who finds the most eggs wins a prize.

Watermelon Eating Contest

Slice watermelons into wedges and remove the seeds. Kids sit in a line and race to see who can eat their watermelon wedge the fastest, hands-free.

Bean Bag Tic-Tac-Toe

Draw a large tic-tac-toe grid on the ground. Divide kids into two teams and give each team a set of bean bags (one color per team). Teams take turns tossing their bean bags onto the grid, trying to get three in a row.

Parachute Games

Use a large parachute and have kids hold onto the edges. Play games like making waves, bouncing balls, or playing “cat and mouse” by having one child crawl underneath while others shake the parachute.

Nature Bracelets

Give each child a strip of duct tape (sticky side out) to wrap around their wrist. Kids can stick small items they find in nature, like leaves, flowers, or small stones, onto the tape to create nature bracelets.

Wheelbarrow Races

Pair kids up and have one child hold the other’s ankles. The child being held must walk on their hands while their partner guides them through an obstacle course or to a finish line.

Bubble Wrap Stomp Painting

Lay out a long sheet of bubble wrap on the ground. Dip kids’ feet in washable paint and let them stomp and dance on the bubble wrap to create colorful patterns.

Glow Stick Hide and Seek

Give each child a glow stick necklace or bracelet. Wait until dusk and play hide and seek using the glow sticks to make it easier to find players.

Pine Cone Bowling

Set up empty plastic bottles or cans in a triangular formation. Use pine cones as bowling balls and see who can knock down the most pins in one roll.

Mud Pie Station

Set up a table with buckets of water, dirt, and natural materials like leaves and twigs. Let kids create their own mud pies and decorate them with the natural materials.

Spray Bottle Painting

Fill spray bottles with diluted washable paint. Kids can spray the paint onto paper or cardboard to create unique works of art.

Duck Pond Fishing

Fill a kiddie pool or large container with water and plastic ducks. Attach paper clips to the ducks’ heads and give kids toy fishing rods with magnets on the end to “catch” the ducks.

Flashlight Tag

Wait until it’s dark and give one child a flashlight. They’re “it” and must tag other players by shining the flashlight on them. Once tagged, players must freeze until another player tags them to unfreeze.

Leaf Pile Jump

Rake a pile of leaves in the yard. Let kids take turns jumping into the pile and burying themselves.

Color Scavenger Hunt

Create a list of colors and give each child a list. Kids must find items in nature that match each color on their list and collect them in a bag.

Water Gun Painting

Fill water guns with diluted washable paint. Kids can squirt the paint onto paper or cardboard to create abstract paintings.

Glow Stick Ring Toss

Place glow stick necklaces in the ground to create rings. Kids take turns tossing glow stick bracelets and trying to land them on the rings. These games offer a wide range of activities to keep kids entertained and engaged during outdoor parties and gatherings.

Musical Statues

Play music and have kids dance around. When the music stops, they must freeze in place like statues. Anyone caught moving is out, and the last one remaining wins.

Paper Airplane Contest

Provide paper and markers for kids to decorate their own paper airplanes. Have contests for distance, accuracy, or creativity in flight.

Hula Hoop Pass

Kids stand in a circle holding hands. One child starts with a hula hoop around their waist and must pass it to the next person without letting go of anyone’s hand.

Nature Weaving

Set up a frame (like a small loom or cardboard with slits) outdoors. Provide yarn and encourage kids to weave in natural materials like grass, leaves, and flowers to create a collaborative nature weaving.

Shadow Tag

Play tag, but instead of touching each other, kids tag each other’s shadows. They must step on the shadow of the person they want to tag to make them “it.”

Bubble Snake Maker

Cut the bottom off a plastic bottle and attach a sock over the cut end. Dip the sock end in bubble solution, then blow into the mouth of the bottle to create long bubble snakes.

Balloon Stomp

Tie balloons to each child’s ankle with a string. Kids must try to stomp on each other’s balloons while protecting their own. The last one with an intact balloon wins.

Colorful Tarp Jump

Lay out a large tarp on the ground and pour different colors of washable paint onto it. Let kids take turns jumping onto the tarp and creating colorful splatter patterns.

Giant Twister

Use spray paint to create a giant Twister board on the lawn. Call out instructions like “left foot on green” or “right hand on red” and watch the kids twist and stretch to reach the right spots.

Set up easels or large pieces of cardboard outdoors. Provide paint, brushes, and natural materials like leaves, flowers, and sticks for kids to create outdoor art masterpieces. These additional games offer even more opportunities for outdoor fun and creativity, ensuring a memorable and enjoyable party for kids of all ages.

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