Didn't make it to South America this year to watch the summer games? Don't worry, you can host your own games at your favorite playground, field or backyard.
Don't forget to follow playground rules, be aware of other families using the playground, and be safe on playground equipment by only using it in its intended way. Having the kids be part of the planning process is fun too!
Playground or backyard summer games don't require any special equipment, but there are a few things that can help ...
- Stopwatch
- Jump Rope
- Flying Disc
- Softball/Baseball
- Soccer Ball
- Basketball
- Hula Hoop
- Bubbles
Timed Events
Grab a stopwatch (or the stopwatch function on your phone), and time kids sliding down the slide, swinging across the monkey bars, doing push-ups or chin-ups, short and long distance running and more.
Monkey Bar Events
Monkey bars can be used for a variety of "sports". They work for timed races, relays, chin-up contests, hang time and more.
Relay Events
Relays can be done on monkey bars, slides, open fields, in the water and more! They are a fun way for kids to work together toward a common goal and promote teamwork and cooperation.
Synchronized Sports
From swings to monkey bars, or even slides, kids can play together in a synchronized way, which encourages physical activity and cooperation. Our favorites are synchronized swinging, synchronized ball races down a slide, and synchronized silly walking (crab, monkey, elephant, etc) across a field.
Jumping Events
Jumping just comes naturally to kids! Summer game events can include the high jump, long jump, jumping rope (typical, or placed on the ground to jump over), and more!
Bubble Events
Bubbles make a fun addition to any summer day! Bubble events can include biggest and smallest bubble, most bubbles popped in a set amount of time, highest flying bubbles, etc. Kids have the best imaginations, so let them help you create your bubble-themed events and I bet you will be amazed.
Throwing Events
Flying discs make great kids' discus, and softballs/baseballs are perfect for kids' shot put! Find an open field and test out your track and field skills by measuring distance thrown. Compete against each other or try to beat your own personal best!
Hula Hoop Events
Traditional hula hooping is a fun and easy addition to your summer games, but hula hoops can also be used as targets, to throw or kick balls into or through, as an obstacle course for running and relays, and more!
Ball Events
Relays, furthest kick, how many goals you can kick in a set amount of time, and more can easily be done on a field with a standard, or improvised, goal and a soccer ball or kickball. Dribbling, shooting and other basketball skill-related competitions are fun too!
Blacktop Events
If there is blacktop or a driveway nearby, in addition to some of the ball events, they make a great space for hopscotch and rope jumping competitions.
Swimming Events
If there is a place to swim nearby, there are some great events that can happen in the water. Relays, handstand competitions, synchronized swimming and more make for fun swimming events.
The bottom line is, it is the perfect time to get kids excited about physical activity and to get them outside and moving! Have fun, be creative, and go!
