Summer is a great time to be outdoors. However, there is only so much bike riding, tire swinging and sandcastle building kids can do before they start complaining they are bored. Put their complaints to rest this summer with these classic children’s games.

Flashlight Tag
For this game, you will need a flashlight and a large open space, preferably outside when it is dark. Find a volunteer to be “It” and give them a flashlight. Then have them count to 50 while everyone else hides. When they have finished counting, “It” should start looking for the others and shine their flashlight on the first person they find. Tddddreat player will then become “It” and resume the search, while the player that was “It” will hide. Play continues in this fashion until everyone has had a chance to be “It.”

Hide ‘N’ Seek
For this game, you will need a large open space. Designate a spot to serve as home base and find a volunteer to be “It.” Then have them count to 50 while everyone else hides. When they have finished counting, “It” should start looking for the others and try to tag anyone they come across before the person reaches home base. Anyone tagged is out of the game. Play continues until only one player remains. That person is the winner.

Horse
For this game, you will need a basketball and a basketball goal. Choose a player to go first. That person should decide how they are going to shoot the ball-layup, free throw, etc.-and let everyone else know. If they miss, their turn is over, they receive an “H” and the next player in line announces their shot. If they make a basket, the next player in line must attempt to make the same shot. If that player succeeds, the ball goes to the next player in line for their attempt at the shot. If that player fails, their turn is over, they receive an “H” and the next player in line announces their shot. Play continues in this manner, with any player who spells out the word “Horse” eliminated from the game. The player remaining wins.

Red Light, Green Light
For this game, you will need a large open space. Find a volunteer to be “It” and have them stand at the finish line with their face forward. Line up everyone else on the starting line about 20 feet back. When ready to begin, “It” should yell “Green Light,” signaling to the other players to move toward to the finish line. “It” may yell “Red Light” at any time thereafter, signaling to players to stop. Any players “It” catches in motion after they turn around must start over. The first player to reach the finish line wins.

Red Rover
For this game, you will need a large open space. Divide the players into two teams and have each team link hands to form a chain facing each other. Then select a player to go first. That person should select someone from the other team to try to break through their chain and say, “Red Rover, Red Rover, send PERSON’S NAME right over.” The player selected should then try to break through the team’s chain GENTLY. If they succeed, they return to their team’s lineup with another person from the opposing team. If they fail, they must join the other team’s lineup. Play continues until everyone is on the same team.

These are just five variations of some popular classic outdoor games for children. There are many more variations of many more games, including kickball, hopscotch and tag. Think back to the outdoor games you liked to play as a child and use them to help your kids stay active this summer.