Let the outdoor games begin

CEBU, Philippines - Kids, I know that opting to go outside isn’t easy, especially when so many electronic options are available indoors. It is not easy to keep away from the computer. But computer games can deprive you of the many opportunities for getting physically active, which is important at this stage of your life.

Did you know that there are fun outdoor games that you can do at home?

“Hole in the Bucket”

Gather your siblings and neighborhood friends. Fill up a large trashcan with water and place two empty trashcans about 30 to 40 feet away.

Divide yourselves into two teams and have each team prepare an empty milk carton with 10 to 12 holes in the bottom. Have someone shout “Go!” The first player from each team fills his carton with water then places it on his head while he walks or runs to his team’s empty trashcan, empties the remaining water in his milk carton into the trashcan, then runs back, passing the carton to the next player. The first team to fill its trashcan with water wins the game.

“Flashlight Tag”

This is best played after the sun goes down, and is the perfect outdoor game  for evening birthday parties and other kiddie gatherings held at night. One player is designated to be the “searcher” and is given a flashlight. The other players hide. As soon as the searcher finds a hiding player, he shines the light on the player, then passes the flashlight to him and the found player now becomes the searcher. The original searcher then hides, and the game continues.

“Jump Rope Challenge”

Each player takes a plastic cup filled with water. Two kids start spinning a large jump rope. One at a time, each player must attempt to enter the rope and jump three times, all while spilling as little water as possible. The player with the most water left in his cup wins the game.

“Shoebox Relay”

Split the group into two teams. Each team gets two shoeboxes. Tape the lids onto the shoe boxes and cut an “I” shape into the top of the box, with a four-inch slit and two one-inch slits.  The first player from each team slips his feet into the shoeboxes. Someone shouts “Go!” and the

players wearing the shoeboxes have to run from the starting line to a designated spot, then back again. Players pass the shoeboxes to their waiting teammates, and the relay continues until all the players have participated and a winning team is declared.

“Blind Man Walk”

Set up a simple  obstacle course  in your yard and let all the kids examine the course. One at a time, blindfold the kids and let them work their way through the obstacle course. The child to make it through the fastest wins the game.

Having fun doesn’t have to be expensive. For these games, all of the materials can be found at home. Whichever game you pick, remember: Safety First.

(Helpful Resource : www.sheknows.com, www.thejournal.ie and kids.britannica.com)