Getting your children out of the house to play outdoor games, or in other words, luring them away from their beloved electronics can feel like an impossible task. There’s an addictive quality to being “plugged in” that kids are accustomed to. And yet, fresh air, vitamin D, and exercise make kids happier, less anxious and help them sleep better — making outdoor time more valuable than ever.
Because of this, toy companies are working overtime to design outdoor games for kids that will keep them engaged and occupied. They're so much better than when we were kids, but honestly, some of the classics are still just as great as you remember. (Cornhole, anyone?) There are water games, strategy games, games of skill, and silly games with no clear objective other than entertainment. It's a great time to be a kid.
These are the best outdoor games that will have your children outside playing all day long and, if you can believe it, will make them forget about their iPads for a few solid hours.
In my house, we are obsessed with Spikeball. Part volleyball, part diabolical handball match, this game is absolutely genius fun. You throw the ball at the net, and the person opposite must volley it back without missing.
This modern day outdoor game for kids is quite intense, tons of fun, and your children will exhaust themselves playing it.
Zoom ball was already a ton of fun, but adding water balloons that eventually explode all over a player? A new level of fun, indeed. Our testers found that you can even use water balls on the inside for continuous sprinkling fun.
It may get a bit heated with your kids, but don't worry — the cold water will cool them right off.
Capture the flag just got so much cooler with this illuminated set. Now the flags, jail markers, and territory borders are all glow in the dark. The neighborhood rivalry is going to get good this year.
This is not the capture the flag of your sleepaway camp days. It's infinitely cooler than it ever was, and because you're the parent, you can rest assured no one will forget the bug spray.
Bowling is always fun, but when you supersize it and make it inflated? Even better. Use this outdoor game for kids with a slip and slide or on a ball field for extra fun.
This set is surprisingly durable, so you don't need to worry about little kids busting it up.
OK, it feels like I'm obsessed with light-up games, but they're just so much fun! They're especially great for Independence Day parties and other events that last until after dark. Cornhole is just a bit more extra with this set.
Cornhole is already one of the best outdoor games, but this just kicks it up a few notches that you weren't expecting. These do fold flat, making them easy to transport and store.
Am I good at this game? No. Are my children? Also no. Does that keep us from playing it over and over again? It does not. It’s too much fun to try to get the balls swung around the horizontal bars. It’s really a game that screams “tournament.”
A game where you try to knock water bottles off poles with a frisbee sounds lame, but I promise you, it's dizzyingly delightful. Try it with different levels of water in the bottles. Do it with open bottles, so everyone gets sprayed — so many options.
Fun fact: I've never won a game of Toss Across in my life. My siblings, husband, and children all beat me with relish. Alas, it’s a classic pen-and-paper-game-turned-outdoor-game for kids that's still fun to play. Kids love it, and this is a cheap and cheerful option.
Baby lacrosse! Only 100% less expensive and preppy. (I swear, my daughter is trying to bankrupt me through sports.) This game is very intuitive. Put the ball in the cup, hit the trigger, the ball flies out to be caught by someone else.
Whoever launches the rockets the farthest wins — yes, this will devolve into absolute chaos, but that's the fun of it. Stomp rockets are pure joy, and every kid who has one loves them. It's a junior lesson in physics that they won't soon forget. You should note, the neon color of these look pretty amazing at sunset.
11
Pickle Ball for All
Paddle Battle Giant Outdoor Ping Pong and Pickle Ball Set
If you haven’t played pickleball, you’re in for a treat. It’s a wild combination of tennis and ping pong, and trust me, it’s a wild ride. Kids love it and parents love it, and it’s an outdoor game the whole family can enjoy together.
007 has nothing on your kids. After all, they can sneak granola bars right in front of you, so their spy training has already commenced. They’re ready for this laser tag game, complete with a projector and targets. That makes this a cooperative game, rather than, as the kids call it, “one v one.”
I want this in an adult size. I believe that even in my 30s, I could still take my little brother down a few pegs, even though he has about 6 inches and 50 pounds on me.
So, of course, I'm getting these body bumpers for my own kids. Work out those frustrations with less risk of bodily harm being done.
It's not just for breweries, parents. Your kids can enjoy giant four to score just as much as you. This version has the added benefit of being more weatherproof than its wood counterparts, and it's easier to clean.
The whole thing does come apart for seasonal storage, but it is kind of a pain. We recommend this toy to people with a space in the garage or shed for storage.
This game is a riot. Everyone wears the glowing bracelets and in the beginning, there's one werewolf and everyone else is a wizard. As the werewolf tags you, your bracelet changes color and you become a werewolf. You howl and join their pack, hunting the other wizards.
As a cosplay-loving DnD playing, theatre camp nerd, this game just speaks to me.
Cat BowenParenting EditorCat Bowen is the parenting editor at BestProducts.com where she researches all of the best products for families from pre-conception through their teen years, focusing on matching scientific evidence with real-life needs.
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