You’re at a cookout with some friends. You haven’t seen them in years, and they’re telling a funny story about one of your adventures when you were younger.
And then, in your ear, a small, insistent voice.
“Mom. Mom. Mommy. MOM.”
Summertime festivities should be fun for adults and kids alike. Here’s a few ways to make sure kids stay entertained while the grown-ups have their own gathering.
This is essentially the classic party game Twister, only without the plastic board. Use ground marking spray paint to protect your grass (it will grow out in a few weeks). You’ll need to arrange 20 circles – five red, five blue, five yellow and five green – arranged in a square. You may want to make the circles smaller if you have smaller children playing.
Another classic, and one that can be played a few diverse ways. In the traditional version, everyone hides and one person seeks, but you can also play a version called “sardines.” In this game, one player hides, and everyone else looks for them. As each player finds the person who is “it,” they join the hiding space.
If you don’t have an actual slip and slide, it’s easy to make one at home with a hose and some plastic sheeting. If you don’t have the sheeting, you can find some at a home improvement store. Add some shampoo to keep the tarp slippery.
For this game, you’ll just need a kiddie pool, some water, an open plastic container that can float on the water, and maybe a dollar in pennies.
Each player should stand about three feet from the pool, and each holding the same number of pennies. Players take turns tossing pennies into the floating container. The winner is the player who lands the most pennies inside the container.
Here’s another game where all you’ll need is a wide-open space and a group of kids. To play, one player is designated as “it,” with the other players lined up about 20 feet away. Facing away from the other players, the person you’ve chosen to be “it” calls out “Green light!” allowing the other players to move towards them.
The player who’s “it” then calls out “Red light” and turns around quickly. Anyone who’s still moving must go back to the starting line. The game continues until someone tags the “it” player.
A fun nighttime game that combines elements of tag and hide-and-seek. To play, you just need a flashlight – and maybe some extra batteries – and an area large enough to run around in, without being too hazardous to explore in the dark. You can always turn on a porch light if it’s too dark.
The player who is “it” gets the flashlight, counts to 50 while the other players hide. There are a few ways the game can go from here. In some versions, the player with the flashlight keeps the light on at all times, so other players can see them approaching and change hiding spots.
This really isn’t a game, but it’s still a fun activity. Collect a few mason jars and send the kids on a firefly hunt. For a brief period that evening, they’ll have a lovely natural lantern. Just so be sure to let the fireflies loose at the end of the night.
If you’re looking for more ways to keep kids entertained other than these Summertime Backyard Games, Swingset & Toy Warehouse can help.
We carry an extensive line of backyard playsets, from high-quality swing sets to Jumpsport and Alley OOP trampolines. Visit us online or one of our four stores to find something that will make sure adults and kids have fun at your next summer party.