Fun in the garden: classic games to introduce your child to

One of the easiest ways to get kids away from their computer or the TV is to give them plenty of games to play outside.

While there are plenty of activities that they are sure to already love, why not introduce them to these fun, classic games.

1. Tip the can

Number of players: You will need a large group of kids to play this game.

Designate a pillar or tree to be the ‘can’ and choose one person to be on while everyone else hides. The object of the game is for the hiders to get to the ‘can’ without being spotted.

2. Jump rope

Number of players: You will need three participants or more to play this.

Two players need to hold the jump rope while the third player jumps up in the middle. The object of the game is to try to get more jumps than the other players. If there are four children then they could play Double Dutch – where two players jump in the middle.

3. Hide and seek

Number of players: The more the merrier.

This is a simple game that can go on for as long or as short as the players want. One person needs to close their eyes and count to ten while everyone else hides – set a time limit to uncover all the players. The object of the game is to try to find everyone before time run outs!

4. Simon Says

Number of players: You will need at least two players.

One person starts the sentence, “Simon says [insert action]…” and then the other player has to do the action. However, if they don’t say “Simon says…” and the player does the action anyway then they’re out.

5. Freeze tag

Number of players: The more the merrier.

Everyone needs to run around in a circle. When the person who is on touches the other players then they are frozen on the spot. They can only be unfrozen when someone (who is not on) crawls between their legs.

6. Red light, green light

Number of players: You will need at least five players to make this work.

Line everyone up in a straight line apart from the person who is on – this person needs to stand about 3m away from everyone with their back turned. When they call out ‘green light’ the other players need to walk towards the person who is on. When the person who is on shouts ‘red light’ they need to turn around. If they catch anyone moving then they must go back to the start line. The object of the game is to get to the top without being caught.

images via Pinterest