Old School Outdoor Games to Play This Summer

You may remember some of these games and activities from the school yard or the back yard because the best outdoor games require little more than imagination, a few friends, and room to run. These old school outdoor games have entertained generations of kids (probably even you!) and they’re just as much fun today.

Old School Outdoor Games and Activities and How to Play Them

Red Light, Green Light

One player acts as the “traffic light” and stands with their back to the other players, who are all in a line. They call out “Green light!” for everyone to run toward them, then suddenly yell “Red light!” and turn around. Anyone caught moving after “Red light!” is out (or returns to the starting line). The first player to reach the traffic light wins and is the new traffic light.

Freeze Tag

Choose one player to be “It.” Their goal is to tag the other players, who must freeze in place when tagged. Depending on the version you play, frozen players can be rescued when another player crawls under their legs, gives them a high-five, or tags them. The game ends when everyone is frozen, or when it’s time to choose a new “It.”

Hide-and-Seek (and Manhunt)

This is a classic old school outdoor game for a reason. One player counts while everyone else hides. Once the counting is finished, the seeker sets off to find the hidden players. The last person found (or the first, depending on your house rules) becomes the next seeker. Manhunt is a larger-scale version, with more hiders and seekers, covering a larger area.

Simon Says

One player becomes Simon and gives instructions like “Simon says touch your toes” or “Simon says hop on one foot.” Players should only follow commands that begin with “Simon says.” If Simon gives an instruction without saying those magic words and someone follows it, they’re out. The last player remaining wins.

Mother, May I?

One player is “Mother” (or “Captain” or another fun title) and stands at one end of the yard while everyone else lines up at the other. Players ask questions like, “Mother, may I take three giant steps?” Mother answers yes or no, sometimes suggesting different movements instead. The first player to reach Mother wins.

Duck, Duck, Goose

Players sit in a circle while one person walks around tapping heads, saying “Duck… duck… duck…” When they choose someone by saying “Goose!”, that player jumps up and chases them around the circle. If the tagger makes it back to the empty spot first, the goose becomes the next picker.

Kick the Can

Part tag, part hide-and-seek, Kick the Can begins with one player guarding a can placed in the middle of the play area. While the seeker looks for hidden players, anyone still hiding can race in and kick the can to free players who have already been caught. It’s a fantastic game for larger groups.

Hopscotch

All you need is sidewalk chalk and a small stone or beanbag… or even a hockey puck! Draw a hopscotch court, toss your marker into the first square, and hop through the course without stepping on the lines or the square containing your marker. On the return trip, pick up the marker while balancing on one foot and continue through the course. The first player to complete every square wins. For ideas, check out this this printable of classic hopscotch patterns.

Four Square

Draw a large square divided into four equal sections and use a playground ball. One player stands in each square, bouncing the ball into another player’s square. The goal is to keep the ball in play while avoiding double bounces or hitting it out of bounds. Players rotate through the squares as they’re eliminated, making this a favourite on school playgrounds.

Red Rover

This was banned in my schoolyard way back in the day and is probably still forbidden during recesses and lunch breaks across the country. Summer is fair game, though! Players form two lines facing one another, holding hands. One team calls, “Red Rover, Red Rover, send [player’s name] over!” That player runs toward the opposing line, attempting to break through linked arms. A safer alternative is to have players try to break through a line of pool noodles or ribbons instead of linked arms.

Of course there are all kinds of camps and (not to mention) screens to keep kids busy during downtime and the summer months, kickin’ it old school with classic activities and games is one way to pass the time.