Kids' Fun and Games

Outdoor Fun

Do you know of any kid that doesn't love being outside? Rain, snow, or sleet…it really doesn't matter. Kids love the outdoors. Check out the following ideas for some great kids' fun and games:

Capture the Flag

You should gather into two teams to play this game. You'll need to split a yard or field up so that each team has their own territory. The teams are given a time period, such as five minutes, to hide their flag in their part of the yard. If you have enough players, you can send out spies to see where the flag was hidden as well as look-outs to catch the spies. If you don't have enough players, skip this option.

Once the flag is hidden by one of your teammates, you can call out that you are ready. Then you simply try to get the other team's flag. If you get caught and tagged by the opponent on their territory, you have to go to jail (you'll need to specify an area for the jail) and can only be freed by a teammate who grabs you when your opponent isn't looking. The first team to capture the flag and bring it back to your territory wins.

Obstacle Course

Set up an obstacle course with any items you might have on hand, such as hay bales, wheelbarrows, garbage cans, tires, logs, hula goops, boxes to crawl through, etc… Have kids take turns going through the obstacle course.

Freeze Tag

In this version of tag, one person is still it, but when he or she touches someone, that person is frozen in place. He is not allowed to move, and he must stand with his feet and legs apart. The only way someone can become unfrozen is if a person crawls under his legs. This game continues until all the players are frozen. The last person to be frozen is "it" for the next game.

Scavenger Hunt

This game can be adapted for just about any age. You'll need to create a list of items that the kids must search for, such as colored rocks, a small twig, an oak leaf, a snail, an ant, a beetle, a pinecone, etc. For smaller children who can't yet read, you can draw pictures of the items they must find, and you may need to have an older child or another adult help the younger ones search for their items. Prizes may be awarded, such as computer-generated certificates, candy, small toys, etc.

Indoor Fun

On those rainy or wintry days that have the kids bouncing off the walls, why not try the following indoor kids' fun and games?

Camp Outs

Who says that you have to have perfect weather to camp out? Kids love camping out in the living room or basement. Some tents can be set up without using stakes. You can also create your own tent using blankets and a few kitchen chairs. Bring flashlights, snacks, and even board games into your tent. Have a picnic, tell ghost stories, and enjoy your time together!

Cooking

Kids love to help out, and cooking with their parents is always a favorite activity. Look for simple recipes at LoveToKnowRecipes. You can also try the following recipes:

Rice Krispie Treats

• 6 cups Kelloggs Rice Krispies
• 1 bag of white marshmallows
• 3 tablespoons butter or margarine
• No-stick cooking spray

Melt the margarine in a no-stick pan, and add the entire bag of marshmallows. Stir over medium heat until the marshmallows have completely melted. Add Rice Krispies cereal, and mix together well. Pour mixture into a 9" x 13" pan that has been greased or sprayed with no-stick cooking spray. Use a baggie that has been sprayed with no-stick spray to spread and flatten mixture. Cut into squares when cool. Kids love making and eating these easy treats!

Gingerbread Men

• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 1/2 cup flour
• 1 pkg. instant butterscotch pudding mix
• 1 1/2 teaspoon ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• Favorite frosting
• Raisins and/or candies
• Cookie cutter

Mix together egg, shortening, and brown sugar, and add the remaining ingredients. Roll out the dough and cut into gingerbread men shapes with a cookie cutter. Bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees. Decorate men using favorite frosting and candies. It's fun to make these after reading the classic tale of The Gingerbread Man.

Kids' Fun and Games Websites

For more great kids' fun and games ideas, check out the following Websites:

• PBS Kids
• Scholastic
• Kids National Geographic
• Fun Attic
• Family Fun