Outdoor play is essential for a child’s development, providing opportunities for creative learning and physical activity. Here are 15 classic outdoor games for kids, perfect for childcare centers, schools, and playgrounds.

These games come with brief instructions, making it easy for teachers and caregivers to facilitate them:

Hide and Seek: One player closes their eyes and counts while others hide. The seeker then tries to find all hidden players.

Tag: One player is “it” and tries to tag others. Variations like Freeze Tag (tagged players freeze until freed by another player) and Shadow Tag (tagging shadows instead of bodies) add variety.

Red Light, Green Light: One player is the “traffic light” and calls out “Green Light” (players move) or “Red Light” (players stop). The first to reach the traffic light wins.

Duck, Duck, Goose: Players sit in a circle. One walks around tapping others saying “Duck” until choosing “Goose.” The chosen player chases the tapper around the circle, trying to tag them before they sit in the Goose’s spot.

Hopscotch: Draw a hopscotch grid with numbered squares. Players throw a small object onto a square and hop through the grid, skipping the square with the object. Retrieve the object on the way back.

Simon Says: One player, “Simon,” gives commands prefaced by “Simon says.” Players must follow only these commands. If “Simon” gives a command without saying “Simon says,” players should not follow it.

Capture the Flag: Divide players into two teams, each with a flag. Teams try to capture the opponent’s flag and bring it to their own base without being tagged.

Four Square: Draw a large square divided into four smaller squares. Players bounce a ball between squares, aiming to eliminate others by making them miss or incorrectly hit the ball.

Mother May I?: One player is “Mother.” Players ask “Mother, may I…?” to perform actions. “Mother” approves or modifies the request. The first to reach “Mother” wins.

Red Rover: Divide players into two teams. Teams hold hands and call a player from the other team to run and break through their chain. Successful players bring a player back to their team; unsuccessful players join the calling team.

Jump Rope: Players jump over a spinning rope, either solo or in groups. Rhymes and tricks add to the fun.

Kickball: Similar to baseball, but with a rubber ball. Players kick the ball instead of hitting it with a bat and run bases to score.

Sardines: A reverse hide and seek where one person hides and others seek. When a seeker finds the hider, they join in hiding. The last seeker to find the group becomes the next hider.

Tug of War: Two teams pull on opposite ends of a rope, aiming to drag the other team across a designated line.

Scavenger Hunt: Create a list of items for players to find within a set area. The first to find all items wins, fostering creativity and observation.

These 15 classic outdoor games for kids are more than just fun; they are valuable teacher resources for creative learning. They help develop physical, social, and cognitive skills in children, making them ideal for childcare owners, operators, supervisors, teachers, and school principals. Integrating these activities into your curriculum can enhance the learning experience and provide a well-rounded education.

At Playocity, we believe in the power of play as a tool for learning. Our programs are designed to integrate play and education seamlessly, providing a holistic approach to child development. Explore more resources and ideas on our website to make learning fun and effective.

By including these 15 classic outdoor games for kids in your curriculum, you can enhance your childcare or school program, providing children with a balanced mix of physical activity and creative learning. These activities are not only enjoyable but also promote essential developmental skills, making them a valuable addition to any educational setting.

In today’s fast-paced world, young learners often face challenges that can provoke anxiety, stress, and emotional turmoil. As educators, it’s crucial to equip them with the tools to navigate these challenges effectively. Self-calming skills, essential components of self-regulation, empower young learners to manage their emotions and behaviours in a healthy manner. This article explores practical strategies to teach self-calming and mindfulness to young learners, tailored for school teachers, principals, daycare operators, and educators.

1. Understanding the Importance of Self-Calming Skills

Self-calming skills are vital for young learners to develop emotional intelligence and resilience. These skills not only help in managing immediate emotional responses but also lay the foundation for long-term mental health and well-being. By mastering self-calming techniques, children can navigate social interactions more effectively and cope with academic pressures in a healthier way.

2. Implementing Mindfulness Practices

Mindfulness for young learners is about teaching them to be present and aware of their thoughts and feelings without judgment. Simple mindfulness activities can be incorporated into the daily routine, such as:

• Mindful Breathing: Guide children to focus on their breath, noticing the rise and fall of their chest, to center their thoughts.
• Mindful Listening: Encourage listening to sounds in their environment, which can help bring their focus to the present moment.
  3. Creating a Calming Corner

A calming corner in the classroom or daycare can be a safe space for children to retreat and practice self-regulating. This area can be equipped with comforting items like soft pillows, stress balls, and visual calm-down prompts.

4. Teaching Emotional Recognition

Helping children recognize and name their emotions is a critical step in self-regulating. Use visual aids like emotion charts and engage in regular discussions about feelings. This awareness is the first step towards managing emotions effectively.

5. Encouraging Physical Activity

Physical activity is a powerful tool for managing stress and anxiety. Incorporating regular movement, whether through dance, yoga, or simple stretching exercises, can significantly aid in calming the mind and body.

6. Practicing Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Teach young learners progressive muscle relaxation by guiding them to tense and then relax different muscle groups. This technique is particularly effective in reducing physical symptoms of stress.

7. Storytelling and Role-Playing

Use storytelling and role-playing to demonstrate self-calming techniques. Stories that incorporate characters dealing with emotions can be powerful teaching tools.

8. Engaging Parents and Caregivers

Educators should partner with parents and caregivers to reinforce self-calming skills at home. Share resources and strategies that can be used outside the classroom.

Teaching self-calming skills and mindfulness to young learners is an investment in their future well-being. By incorporating these strategies into the educational environment, educators can provide children with the tools they need to navigate their emotions and the world around them. Remember, the goal is not to eliminate emotions but to equip young learners with the skills to manage them effectively.