Sometimes when we go to the playground I'm up for running around and playing chasing games. Othertimes I'm desperate for a sit down. SO. Here are some games that you can play if you want to join in, and some activities to do in the playground (or any outdoor space really) that'll keep the kids distracted while you keep your bum firmly on that seat. 

Shadow Tag

Like normal tag, but you have to try and tag their shadow instead of their body. 

In a similar vein, you could also try tails. Tuck a jumper/ scarf etc into their waistband. and people try and pull them out. The player with the most tails at the end is the winner. 

What's the Time Mr Wolf? 

One player is the wolf. They stand with their back to the other players, and hands over their eyes. The other players stand at the other end of the playground. They call out 'What's the time Mr Wolf?' Mr Wolf shouts out a time, and the player hop forward the corresponding number of steps. They are hoping to When Mr Wolf thinks they are getting near, that player shouts out 'Dinnertime', then they try and tag the other players before they can get back to the other side where they started from. 

Red Rover

This is a fun game to play if you've got a group of people, enough to divide into 2 teams. Each team holds hands, facing the other. The first team shouts 'Red Rover, come over' and names a person in the opposite team. That person has to try and break apart the other team. If they manage, then the 2 people whose hands came apart join the other team. If they don't manage to break the chain, then they have to switch teams. The game is over when all the players are on one side. 

Traffic Officer

Assign a person to be the traffic officer. Everyone else should be on a bike, or a scooter, or pretend to be driving a car. The Traffic officer is in charge of directing everyone where to go. Everyone else has to follow their instructions to stop, go etc. 

The Floor is Lava

How far can everyone get accross the playground without touching the ground? You might have to get creative with using sticks, leaves etc as stepping stones. 

Chalk Drawing

Take some chalk with you. Ask the kids to draw. 

• Something they can see
• Something that makes them happy
• Something they learnt this week
• A favourite character

Make a Race Track

Take some toy cars to the playground. Or find some acorns, or stones etc. Use sticks, stones, leaves, chalk etc to make a race track for the cars. 

Scavenger Hunt

Can they find

• 1 feather
• 2 shells
• 3 stones
• 4 sticks
• 5 leaves

Timed Races

How fast can they do a circuit including everything in the playground? Then, try doing it backwards, hopping, jumping, with a roll in between each bit of equipment. 

Pictoral Scavenger Hunt

Can they take pictures of: 

• A bench
• A spiderweb
• Their favourite thing in the playground
• An interesting cloud
• A tree
• An insect
• A bird

7 up Ball Game

Using a bouncy ball, bounce the ball against the ground, or a wall 7 times, doing an action in between each bounce. You could try: 

• Bouncing it without catching it
• Clapping in between
• Spinning
• Jumping