10 Outdoors Games for Kids to Play
Games you used to play
1. Stuck in the Mud
2. Tag/Tig or It
3. Hide and Seek
4. Rounders
5. Dodge Ball
6. Marbles (or Go-Go’s)
7. Skipping Games
8. Hop Scotch
9. Red Light Green Light
10. Capture The Flag
Do you remember your childhood days of tag, french skipping and acky 1,2,3 played at the top of the street with most of the neighbouring children? Now we are told that less than 50% of our under 12s ever play out at all [source: Living Streets]
Increase in traffic and built up areas, a fear of strangers and the ease, availability & attraction of TV, PC and Games Consoles have all contributed to the disappearance of much outdoor play for children. How sad that grazed elbows and gravely knees have been replaced with repetative strain injury and cabin fever.
Regular outdoor play keeps children fit and healthy by providing sustained activity which burns calories, strengthens heart and lungs and all round motor skills. Like all activity it increases endorphin levels generating a feeling of happiness and reducing childhood stress. Additionally group play develops social skills, imagination, confidence, concentration, rule following and negotiation – all important life skills that help children at home and in the classroom and ultimately as healthy, capable adults.
What games did you play outside as a child? Do you still remember the rules and how to play? Do you let your kids out to play? Do they have somewhere safe to play? Have your say!
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