Backyard Activities For Tweens, Playing outside can be fun without bats and balls, volleyball nets or rackets. These are running, chasing, skipping, rowdy games kids will want to play time and again, let’s look at them.
In a world dominated by screens and virtual entertainment, it’s essential to find ways to get tweens and kids aged 9 to 12 and moving, socializing, and connecting with nature. What better way to achieve this than by engaging them in exciting backyard activities that are not only a great way to keep them active but also foster their creativity and social skills? With a lot of options available for outdoor fun, here’s a list of fun and engaging backyard activities that are perfect for tweens.
Tag or Chase
A simple game like this we never thought would go out of style. Appoint one player to be “it.” Assign a home base-a tree or fence post or such. Now yell go and start running. “It ” chases about and when he tags someone that tagged person is out. If the chased person needs rest, he can resort to the base for a breather. He is safe on base.
Hide and Seek
“It” hides his eyes and while he counts to 100 by fives the rest of the players run off to hide. The searcher then yells, “Here I come ready or not!” and runs off in search of the hiders. If he finds a hider he must call out and then the hider has one chance to run back to the safe base without getting tagged.
Swinging Statue
You only need two players for this great outdoor game, but any number can be included. One player grasps the other by his wrist and swings him slowly around him before letting go. The swung player must then balance himself in a statue stance as he was swung. He then has to stand as still as a statue until all the other players are swung. This game is fine for small children and doesn’t have winners or losers. It is just fun to see the statues made.
Duck, Duck, Goose
The players all sit on the ground in a circle. The player who is It walks around the perimeter of the circle behind the team members. As he passes each he pats each head and says “duck.” He says duck as he pats each child until he has touched several or all the heads several times.
Finally, he pats a head and say “goose” instead. The player called Goose must jump up and chase the first child around the circle. “It” must make it all the way around the circle and sit in the chaser’s place before he is tagged. If he loses and gets tagged, he must “duck, duck, duck, goose “again and run again until he makes it to the vacated spot in the circle.
Red Rover
The younger children are divided into two teams for this great game. They stand in lines facing each other with a wide space between the lines. The players must hold hands or wrists and then the players on one team call out: ” Red Rover – red rover – let “Suzie” come over.
Then the child who was called must run toward the opposing line and try to break the handhold between two of the children. If she fails she joins the strong side. If she breaks the ranks,she can take one of the players captive back to her original line. The team that gets the most players wins.
Obstacle Course Extravaganza
Creating an obstacle course in the backyard is a great way to challenge and entertain older kids. Use everyday objects like hula hoops, pool noodles, and tree branches to design a course that includes crawling, jumping, balancing, and running. Set up a finish line and let the kids compete against each other for a much-coveted title.
Water Balloons Frenzy
When the weather’s warm, there’s nothing as refreshing as a fun game of a water balloon fight. Fill up colourful balloons with warm water and let the fun begin. This fun outdoor game not only provides great exercise but also helps cool down on hot days.
Nature Scavenger Hunt
Encourage tweens to explore the great outdoors by organizing a nature scavenger hunt. Prepare a list of things for them to find ñ from leaves of different shapes to rocks with unique patterns. Provide them with a magnifying glass to examine the natural world up close and let their curiosity run wild.
Backyard Olympics
Host your very own backyard Olympics featuring various fun activities. From relay races and tug-of-war to jump rope competitions and Nerf gun target practice, this outdoor activity promises a great time for tweens. Award bonus points for creativity and good sportsmanship.
Treasure Hunt Adventure
Organize a treasure hunt by hiding clues around the yard that lead to a final hidden treasure. This classic outdoor game fosters teamwork, problem-solving skills, and excitement. You can adjust the complexity of the clues based on the age and preferences of the kids.
Messy Mud Pies
For a more hands-on experience, let tweens embrace their inner chef by making mud pies. Provide them with buckets of mud, water, and natural materials like leaves and twigs. This messy yet delightful activity taps into their imagination and connects them with the tactile pleasures of nature.
Water Blob Fun
Turn a simple plastic tarp into a giant water blob by sealing the edges and filling it with water. This creates a squishy, watery surface that’s perfect for slipping, sliding, and laughing. The best part? It’s easy to set up and guarantees hours of laughter and physical activity.
Outdoor Toy Extravaganza
Gather a variety of outdoor toys like tennis balls, jump ropes, hula hoops, and pool noodles. Let the tweens rotate through different stations, each offering a different activity. This approach keeps things exciting and allows them to try various physical activities.
DIY Backyard Water Table
Transform a simple table into a water play haven by filling it with water, toys, and objects to experiment with. Kids of all ages ñ including tweens ñ enjoy pouring, splashing, and playing in the water. This DIY water table is a great way to beat the heat and encourage creative water-based play.
Red Light, Green Light Nature Edition
Put a nature twist on the classic game of Red Light, Green Light. Designate a “stoplight” who calls out commands like “green light” for the tweens to move and “red light” for them to freeze. Use nature-themed cues like “soar like a bird” or “crawl like an insect” to make the game more exciting.
Spending Quality Time In The Great Outdoors Is So Much Fun
In today’s fast-paced world, spending quality time outdoors has become a big deal. By engaging little kids in these fun outdoor activities to enjoy the fresh air you’re not only helping them stay active and healthy but also fostering their social skills, creativity, and appreciation for the natural world. So put down those video games, step outside, and create unforgettable memories right in your own backyard. Your younger kids will thank you for it.
