Does anyone have suggestions for outdoor games/activities for the backyard for tweens that do need to have a large group of kids to play? There aren't other children in our neighborhood the same age as mine so a neighborhood game of kickball, etc. is not an option. And there are definitely times when a friend or 2 may be over but not a large group of children for any type of game that involves big teams. And sometimes it's just us with no friends over. I don't want to feel like we can't be outside without a large group of friends over but my daughter has pointed out that there doesn't seem to be as much to do outside by yourself or in a small group as there is in the house. I can remember playing croquet when I was around that age but I'm not even sure if they still make that. Any suggestions will be appreciated! I just don't want the summer to involve too much computer, Wii, TV, etc. always in the house. Thanks!
Bocci is a family favorite. They still make croquet, although the sets aren't of the same quality that we had. There's also lawn darts, but they now have plastic tips. Water balloons can be fun, if they don't mind picking up all those little pieces when they're done.
Have a great summer!
If you don't mind investing in the equipment, badminton is a fun game which can be learned easily and can be played with 2-4 people. And not so much risk of breaking windows.
Lots of great ideas!
My kids love water balloons and they never seem to get bored with them! We will also bring board games outside and play them on the patio table.
It's not a "game" but wanted to also mention.... my tween daughter loves laying out a blanket/sitting on a lawn chair and just reading a book, writing in her journal or having a picnic with me. She will even bring out her art box and listen to her iPod while drawing. Believe it or not she still LOVES play-doh too!
Hope you have a fun summer!
One word - sprinklers! And don't forget the waterguns too :) My kids played for hours running through the sprinklers. You can always get a slip & slide or make one out of a large sheet of plastic you can get Home Depot. We also used our sandbox for a small pool along with the sprinklers - they used the sandbox/pool to load there water guns. Have fun!
im afraid you have a trip to the academy in your future. Take her with you and see what she likes, basketball net, ping pong table, tennis, badminton, volleyball, above ground pool, trampoline, rollerblades, scooter, yard darts, frisbee, outdoor billiards........etc...
we chose the , above ground pool~trampoline~rollerblades~bicycle fun package.........
OH yes, they still make croquet! We love it. Badmitten is good and it only takes two people or four can play and you can use the same net for volleyball also when more kids are over. Horseshoes or my kids have this game with two net type baskets and they throw these balls with streamer tails in them -same concept as horseshoes. Corn hole or bean bag toss. Try to set up a nice comfy shady spot outside for the kids to read, draw or play board games - even if it's not "active" it's good to keep them outside!!! We toss a blanket out in the shade. Maybe consider a small pool too.
You can get yard game sets at Target. They have them now. My son is little (4) so we got just the very cheap, plastic sets of horse shoes and badminton, but you can get nicer ones. You can buy individual game sets or a big case of all the games (badminton, croquet, lawn bowling, horse shoes etc.)
When i was a home from college in the summers, I loved playing badminton and croquet in our yard with my brothers and parents. We didn't really have many friends around (our parents moved when I was already away at school, and my brothers stayed behind with their mom to finish the school year) so it was just us, and we had a blast... Okay, we also had a pool, so that helped, but the lawn games were a hit as well.
HTH
T.
Also remember Red Rover, Simon says Duck Duck Goose...
Hot and cold.. Hide something in the yard and have them look for the item while yelling variations of hot or cold depending on how close they are.
"Warm, cool, hot, Burning like a fire, cold as the North Pole.."
Two really inexpensive ideas are a catch game that uses a round disc you attached to your hand and the front part is velcro so the ball is easily caught on it. I got it for $2.49 at Target (at the end of an aisle) and a beach ball to practice volleyball on it. You don't even need to use a net to have fun.
I agree with many of the other posters here....bacci ball, bag toss, washers, badminton, and hillbilly horseshoes are all lots of fun for two or more players. You can find all at Dick's Sporting Goods, Menards (usually), Target, etc. Hula hoops were also a huge hit at our last party and very CHEAP!
A Trampoline! If you've never had one, it is instant success. We have 8 kids and have had a tramp for 17 yrs now (just bought our 4th one). My current 14, 12, & 8 yr old were spending too much time inside. Our last tramp gave out last Fall. As soon as we got this new tramp they have been outside everyday. This is the first time we got one with sides. They like to kick a soft ball around at each other & try to dodge it. Sometimes they just go out there & sit on it & talk. Tramps get lots of neg. attention but mostly from people who have never had one. I have a rule no flips and have had NO injuries ever. With 7 sons/ 1daughter & all their friends and no injuries in 17 yrs? We have had many injuries with bikes, climbing, & just playing in the house! Anyway, the exercise is great, just try jumping on it for 5 min. yourself. And it is the one purchase in all our parenting years that they NEVER get bored of.
they still make croquet. you might try those yard darts that throw into the circle target. they have re-made them so that they don't have points. there is the corn hole/bag toss. that is a great game for all ages. there is the ladder ball game. there is some toss game that uses large washers. you can check at menards. a lot of times they have the outdoor yard games on sale.
We played Croquet when we were 12, and we loved it for large groups. Also we played basketball and volleyball. I remembered the games of jarts. Now days they make them less dangerous. Badmitten, boche, and horseshoes were also favorites.
The sprinkler is always lots of fun. We also have a slip n' slide which is great in summer when it's really hot out there. My boys also love to draw streets and train tracks and towns on our driveway and then they play with their Hot Wheels or wooden trains outside.
We also have ladder ball which can be played with 2-4 people, bean bag toss, lawn darts, & the velcro ball game all big hits with our kids and the kids that come over to play. Most of these you can get at Target in the summer sports isle. A nurf football & frisbees are always great too! Don't forget sidewalk chalk. Even the bigger kids like drawing on the sidewalk with chalk (you can get large boxes at the dollar store). It's funny how "teens" will forget about chalk and then all of a sudden there is chalk at someone's house and the draw all over the sidewalks. A badmiton set is also a great idea and then you can use the net to play volleyball as well.
http://www.familyfun.com has TONS of fun ideas
