There is always a perfect outdoor game that can be played in every weather, no matter what.

Here are some outdoor games that you can try for your children at school or at home, in the park, or anywhere that is outdoor, really:

1.    Hide and seek.

Everyone knows how to play this. A timeless and thrilling game that requires you to be creative in figuring out a new place to hide each time you play. The rules are obvious like the name suggests - the players hide, while one seeks them out. Instead of the seeker counting to a certain number, you can ask them to recite anything - their multiplication tables, a list of formulas, the periodic table! Anything that would be convenient if memorized.

This game teaches creativity - you have simply got to be creative to continue winning this game after playing it more than a couple of times in the same place after all the obvious hiding spots are exposed. The game also teaches trust (would you believe it) because it does, in fact, require pure trust for your fellow players to spot your hiding place and not expose you to the seeker.

2.    Tag.

This game basically involves just running and catching. The players attempt to run from one player who is supposed to catch them. As soon as a player is ‘tagged’ it indicates he is now the catcher who must chase the other players. The players all run away from him or her, until he or she catches someone else, and so on. The game doesn’t really have an end, you can just keep on playing until you are tired.

The game is excellent for building reflexes and muscle strength. It makes children run and shout activities that are great for the respiratory system, and excellent forms of exercise for the body.  

3.    Tug of war.

Another timeless game, that uses a combination of strength and tactics. You have an even number of players pulling from two sides of a rope, with a line drawn on the ground between the two teams. The team that manages to pull the other beyond the line first, wins. So you’d be wise to pick the physically strong ones on your team.

This game is an excellent way of building team skills, group work, increase interaction with peers, as well as muscle exercise, and is just sheer fun once you get the hang of it.

Whatever game you play, just make sure the children enjoy themselves; that you enjoy yourself, and that the game avoids any form of negativity or fighting among the kids. Of course, a little bit of competition and conflict that they resolve by themselves is healthy. You shouldn’t find it necessary to get involved in each and every one of them. But the major ones, just be careful to avoid. Also, while playing outdoor games kids tend to hurt themselves so it would be wise to have a first-aid kit handy.