Do you remember those classic outdoor games? Are they part of your great memories? As a child, I was lucky to have adults play with us, making those games even more fun.
Some classic outdoor games include Tag, Simon Says, and Hide-and-Go-Seek. Oh my! The countless hours we played these games growing up. As computer games and smart phones take over our leisure hours, it’s time we bring these games back.
In this post we’ll describe four of the classic outdoor games and a multitude of variations of each one that will give you memories to last a lifetime.
Classic Outdoor Games
In planning this post, I was honestly thinking of classic outdoor games for family reunions because I’m planning ours. But these are fabulous games to play with any crowd — large or small. I played most of these as a child (did anyone else have the rule to come in when the street light came on?), a mom (how many birthday parties?), and now as a grandma (get them tired out!). I’ve used them as part of my job as a health educator several years ago to promote physical activity. We play them at family reunions and whenever the kids gather in our backyard.
Disclaimer here: You can play several of these games indoor too, depending on how much room you have. In fact, some of these can be played in a relatively small space. I think you’ll agree, though, we all need to get out more. If you’re having a party, a family get-together, or just need the kids to go play outside, try some of these classic outdoor games and their fun variations.
Don’t forget that this is about having fun. Adjust the rules for age and ability, and don’t forget that a little cheating to is never a bad idea if it advances kindness and LOVE. Everyone get their sunblock AND thick-skin lotion out and apply liberally.
Tag
Classic
I think tag probably started with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden — it’s THAT old. In the classic outdoor game of Tag, someone is IT, and when they touch a runner, that person is IT. You can play with two or twenty. Choose more than one person as IT if there are a lot of people. Here are three variations to keep it interesting.
Freeze Tag
In Freeze Tag, when someone gets tagged, they freeze in the position they were tagged. The person who is IT wins when they tag everyone. The first person tagged then becomes IT for the next game.
Variation #1: frozen players are “thawed” when another runner taggs them and counts loudly to 5 – then both run again.
Variation #2: frozen players are “thawed” by another runner crawling through their legs. This becomes quite hilarious as an adult tries to climb through the legs of a 5-year-old.
Link Tag
Link tag is the perfect classic outdoor game for large groups in large spaces. In this version everyone splits off into pairs and links arms. Once couple is chosen to split and be the chaser and runner. When the runner gets tired, they link elbows with anyone, and the person on the other side of the pair becomes the new runner. If they fail to completely link arms with someone before getting tagged, they are the new chaser.
Variation #1: Linked partners form a circle, and the runner can only run on the outside. IT can run inside or outside. The great advantage to this version is that it defines the playing space. The rule for this version is that when a runner links arms with one pair, the new runner can’t link arms with the next pair in the circle.
Variation #2 If your players have a large size difference, you can simply hold hands. For very young players, as long as they’re touching the person they want to link arms with, they are safe. (See how good cheating skills come into play as I make up these different variations?)
If you want to see this game in action, check out A Little Family Fun playing this at a family reunion.
Pacman Tag
If you’re at a park (or building) that has a basketball court or other sports field with painted lines, this is a fun version of Tag. Choose how many people you want as Pacman — I suggest one person for every 10 people playing. They hold a smallish object — rock, baseball cap, flipflop. TIP: Wearing a designated hat is a great way to see who is IT.
Pacman start in the center and counts to 10 to give players time to spread out. Players and Pacman must stay on the lines at all times. Players cannot pass each other, but they can turn at any line intersection they want. When Pacman tags someone, the object is handed over to that person and they become Pacman — counting to 5 before starting.
Variation #1: When getting tagged, the player sits down instead of becoming Pacman. They become a block in the line and the only people who can travel past them are the Pacman.
Variation #2: A “ghost” is chosen, and they can tag anyone who is out and unblock the line. Ghosts can pass other players.
SAFETY NOTE: in all versions, players should walk fast, but do not run. There are too many ways to get hurt with everyone on the lines. (How do I know?)
Line Games
We really liked line-up-control-everyone games when I was little. They are a wonderful tool for helping little kids practice self-control as they have to wait for instruction. And kids love it when an adult messes up and gets sent back to the starting line. There are numerous classic outdoor games where the players line up next to each other and the person who is IT stands about 20 yards (or so) away and directs the game in some way. I suggest an adult always starts these games to set the example for children.
Red Light Green Light
The leader says, “red light” and then turns his back to the group and says, “green light”. Everyone is free to move forward in an effort to tag the leader. The leader turns around quickly and says, “red light”. Everyone must freeze. Anyone caught moving on a red light has to go back to the starting line. The first one to tag the leader becomes the new leader. The distance between leader and players can be adjusted for age groups. And adults are allowed to pick up little ones and help them advance. (Cheating? The best kind.)
MOTHER MAY I
This game from my childhood brings back many fond memories, as we made up crazy names for “steps”. The leader chooses one player at a time and gives them a number of types of steps they may take. “George, you may take 3 giant steps.” The person says, “Mother, may I?” (or Daddy, may I, if that matters to you) and the leader says, “Yes, you may.” The person then takes that many types of steps. If they do not say, “Mother, may I?” before moving, they have to go back to the starting line.
I remember taking scissor steps (legs have to cross each other dramatically), baby steps, regular steps, grandma steps (bent over and shuffling), frog steps (hops), egg rolls, chicken steps, and so on and so forth. If Mother does not approve of the steps, she can send children back to the starting line.
Variation: The game starts with the “children” requesting a certain number of types of steps – to see what they can get away with. “Mother, may I take 3 giant steps?” The Mother can say, “Yes, you may,” or “No, you may not, but you may take 4 scissor steps.” If the steps are not performed to the Mother’s liking (too many or not the right kind), she sends them back to the starting line. Does it seem obvious that the Mother basically gets to choose who wins and reaches her first? (Unless she’s never allowed to send anyone back to the starting line, which is an option. But I’m not writing another variation just for that change.)
What Time Is It, Mr. Wolf?
Once again, Mr. Wolf is on one side, and everyone lines up on the other. Only this time, Mr. Wolf keeps his back turned to the group. Each player takes a turn yelling out (or the entire group can holler together) “What time is it, Mr. Wolf?” Mr. Wolf says a time. “It’s 3 o’clock.” The time represents how many steps everyone can take. In this instance everyone takes three steps. They’re not going to be the same size steps. Anyone caught cheating by other players and taking more steps (if they’re old enough to understand) must go back to the starting line.
If Mr. Wolf thinks a player is close enough to catch, he can answer, “Dinner time!” and turn around and try to tag someone, who will become Mr. Wolf. The players try to be very silent, so they tag Mr. Wolf before he knows they’re close enough. Whoever tags Mr. Wolf gets to be IT or can decide they have to try again as Mr. Wolf.
Watch this darling family play this classic outdoor game. I adore the look on the older boy’s face as he schemes. If you like them, feel free to hop on over to YouTube and like and subscribe. (I don’t know them. I just think they’re cute as heck. My kids never wrote on their face. hahaha)
Follow the Leader Games
Who doesn’t like bossy games? Okay, not a fair question for children who don’t like the anxiety of everyone’s eyes on them. As the ninth child of ten, I loved it when I FINALLY got a chance to be heard. The benefit of these classic outdoor games is that it teaches children to follow directions and think hard before they choose what they’re going to do. Self-improvement for all ages.
Simon Says
Most people are familiar with this children’s game, but it’s a lot of fun when the adults join in, too. The leader stands in front of the group and tells everyone what to do. “Simon says touch your elbow.” Everyone touches their elbow. And so on. If the leader says, “Hop on one foot,” without saying Simon Says, the group should NOT hop on one foot. If you do, you’re out. The winner is the last one standing. The faster the leader goes, the harder it is, so pay attention to the age group of people playing and be nice to the little ones.
Variation #1 Simon performs the actions with the group. To get people out faster, Simon does an action that is NOT what he said. “Simon Says pat your head.” But Simon pats his shoulder.
Variation #2 Position the players so they’re not facing the leader. If they’re watching each other, you have a 50 / 50 chance they’ll mess up watching what someone else does. You could do this by pairing them off or making two lines facing each other.
Variation #3 Simon Says, Sandra Says, Sophie Says – Add three directions they have to consider.
If the leader says:
Simon Says, they do what Simon Says.- Sandra Says, they do the opposite action. Example: sit down/ they stand up. Or snap the fingers on your right hand /they snap the fingers on their left.
- Sophie Says, they do a prearranged action regardless of what is said. For example, if Samuel Says means that everyone hops on one foot, when the leader says Simon Says clap your hands, players hop on one foot rather than clap their hands.
For more variations, visit Icebreaker Ideas.
DO THIS, DO THAT
Much like Simon Says, this is a follow-me type game. I like this one for people who might have trouble communicating lots of words but can easily say “Do This” or “Do That”. The leader says, “Do This” and everyone follows the thing they’re demonstrating – like patting their head. If the leader says, “Do That,” the followers should NOT do the thing the leader is doing, or they’ll be eliminated.
Variation: Instead of being out, the person who “Does That” has to perform a designated task – like a certain number of pushups. If you’re at a family reunion, they have to help clean up dinner, or stack the firewood if you’re camping.
Body Part MixuP
HIDE AND GO SEEK
No classic outdoor games list would be complete without Hide and Go Seek Counting, hiding, finding, running. These elements bring back such a thrill, and I love playing this game even with the two-year-olds. Here’s why. When my Child #2 was two years old, he would call his Grandma Winsor on the phone. My Mom was the funnest (my computer says funnest isn’t a word – funnerest – most fun, whatever) lady alive. He wanted to play Hide and Go Seek. (Remember, this was in the day of landlines – and dinosaurs.) Did my mom tell him she couldn’t because she wasn’t there? NO! She played with him. I had the phone on speaker, so I could help if needed. Here’s how it went:
GMA: Okay, I’m closing my eyes. Go hide. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten.
CHILD#2 hides behind a chair and is giggling like crazy.
GMA: I can hear you! Are you over here?
CHILD#2 gets quiet.
GMA: Nope. Are you over there? Nope Are you in the bathroom?
CHILD#2 is still silent and crouching down more.
GMA: You are hiding so well! Are you behind the chair? (Remember, she has no clue where he is. She’s totally guessing. She was amazing.
CHILD#2: Found me! (He’s laughing and jumping up and down.)
GMA: There you are! That was fun.
CHILD #2: Gehn, Gehn.
GMA: Okay, let’s play again. Go hide. I’m covering my eyes.
This was Child#2’s favorite game and he could count to 10 by the age of three but only if his eyes were covered.
THE CLASSIC
There are a million versions of the classic with varying rules. The original game from my childhood, called for choosing a home base somewhere central and someone to be IT. A perimeter was chosen: the Winsor’s yard and you can’t go inside. IT stood at home base (the Winsor’s basketball stand) and counted to whatever number was chosen for how hard it was to find a hiding space. (Outside it was usually 50 to 100). Everyone hides.
iT hollers loudly, “Ready or not, here I come.” If you had not found a place yet, you better hurry. The search is on. If you thought you could sneak out of your hiding place and run to the home base without getting tagged, you made a run for it. If you’re tagged, you’re out. If you make it, you’re safe. When you’re found, and tagged, you’re out. If you’re not tagged (up a tree, for instance) when you’re found, you can try to run and make it to home base (tag is a great game, right?)
If IT can’t find people and gives up, they yell, “Olly, Olly in come free,” which basically means all y’all can come in to home base without getting tagged out.
Oh the memories!
Variation: Go hide and stay there til you get caught or the person gives up. This seems to be the variation played the most today. I don’t see anyone playing the original version anymore.
Sardines
This hide and go seek game is the mirror image of the classic. The person who is IT goes and hides while everyone else covers their eyes and counts together to whatever number. Everyone splits up. When you find the person that’s hiding, you climb into their hiding spot with them. Hence the name, Sardines. By the time everyone finds the hiding spot, you’re all crammed in like Sardines. The first person to find the IT gets to be IT next. This encourages everyone to search vigorously.
Piggy Wants a Signal
We enjoyed playing this version of hiding and seeking when we were out camping, because there were lots of trees and bushes to hide behind within easy sight of home base. This is played like the classic style. If you’re tagged, you’re brought to home base where you have to stay as a Piggy in a Pen.
When IT is off looking for someone else, the Piggy hollers, “Piggy wants a signal.” Those who are hiding, can give a signal any way they can (make a noise, wave your hand, pop out real quick). If Piggy sees them, they can sneak off and hide in the same spot. (This becomes challenging if there are more than one Piggy in a Pen.) If IT sees you sneaking off, you risk giving the new spot away and both (or more) people getting caught. Of course, you can all run for it, and only one of you might get tagged before making it to home base. That’s the way we played it.
Variation #1: Home base is chosen as the spot you can run to. The pig pen is marked by a circle in the ground separate from home base. When a caught person says, “Piggy wants a signal” the signal has to be a pig sound (whether that’s “oink” or a grunt or a squeal). Hiders can choose the best time and sound to make, but they do have to signal. This increases the odds of getting caught.
Variation #2: This style is for very young players. There’s no tag or pig pen in this version. When IT can’t find anyone, they can call, “Piggy wants a signal.” Everyone must make a pig sound to assist the IT in finding them. I play something like this when I’m playing with the toddlers at home. I usually whistle or make some other sound so they can find me and learn how fun this game is.
Get Outside, Get Playing
I think the greatest part of getting outside and playing together is that it makes us laugh. As we play and get silly, we laugh. This makes us happier, healthier, and closer to the people we love. Maybe they’re family. Maybe friends. It could even be strangers. When I’m simply a spectator, I’m still laughing and enjoying the games. I hope you’ll add these 27 variations of classic outdoor games to your time together.
Your Turn
Do you remember playing any of these games in your childhood? How about as an adult? Can you tell us about any variations you’ve played that we didn’t name? What game would you add to these categories that your family has played together?
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