Outdoor Games

Instructions Step 1: Cut stick from broom Cut the stick from an old broom and practice hitting ping-pong balls. Have a friend lob them to you in the back yard to develop your eye. When you’re ready for the real thing, switch to using your bat and a softball. Step 2: Use good posture Square …

Instructions Step 1: Gather people Gather twenty-two players and two umpires on a 350-foot long, oval-shaped field with a 66-foot-long playing area, or pitch, in the middle, and divide the players into two teams. Step 2: Gather equipment Get the cricket ball, a cricket bat, wickets, stumps, and bails. Set the wickets up on either …

Instructions Step 1: Break the ice Throw the ball against the wall. This is called breaking the ice. Throw it cleanly, and don’t let it connect with the ground before hitting the wall. Step 2: Start playing Catch the ball after the bounce back. If you mishandle or drop the ball, run immediately to tag …

Instructions Step 1: Divide groups Divide the players into two teams. One team will be cops; the other team will be robbers. Step 2: Designate an area Designate an area for the jail. This is where the cops will start. Step 3: Count to five Count to five if you’re a cop. Run after the …

Instructions Step 1: Remove string Remove the string and mesh from the head. TIP: If your head is used, clean it with bleach and then rinse and dry it off. Step 2: Measure water Measure the amount of water recommended for the dye and put it in the pot. Step 3: Bring to boil Bring …

Instructions Step 1: Set out bases Set four bases, including home plate, at the corners of a softball field, first base at the right and moving counterclockwise. Step 2: Choose teams Choose teams of nine players each. One team bats while the other plays the field, with station fielders at each base and a shortstop …

Instructions Step 1: Prepare the backyard Pick start and end points for the course and mark them with traffic cones. Map out a trail that includes 10 or 15 feet of space between events and avoids hazards like sinkholes, stumps, and dangerous plants. Step 2: Make a ladder run At the start of the course, …

Instructions Step 1: Find a safe area Choose a large area with a soft surface, such as an area with a mat, a padded carpet, or soft grass to practice your cartwheel. TIP: Don’t attempt a cartwheel if you do not have the upper-body strength to support yourself as you go over. Step 2: Extend …

Instructions Step 1: Find a playing field Find a good place to play, such as a tennis court, a street cul-de-sac, a parking lot, or a flat rooftop. TIP: Move indoors to a gymnasium or a large basement when the weather’s too cold or when it rains. Step 2: Get equipment Find some hockey sticks, …

Instructions Step 1: Bend knees Bend your knees and get into a squatting position. Step 2: Place palms on floor Place your palms on the floor with your elbows slightly bent. Step 3: Tuck your head in Tuck your head in as you straighten your legs, pushing your bottom into the air, and roll the …

Instructions Step 1: Choose It Choose a player to be “it.” ‘It’ kicks the can and the other players run and hide. Then “it” retrieves the can, closes their eyes, and counts to 100. At 100, they call out, “ready or not, here I come,” and then looks for other players. Step 2: Begin searching …

Instructions Step 1: Gather equipment Gather your baseball equipment. Make sure you have a bucket of baseballs, a bat, and a glove. Step 2: Find a location Find a baseball diamond or a large open field to play in. Designate a distance for home runs and mark it on the field. TIP: You can use …

Instructions Step 1: Stand up straight Stand up straight with your arms raised and held tight to your ears, looking forward. TIP: Add a few running steps and small hop before the handspring to make learning the skill much easier. Step 2: Raise one leg Raise your strongest leg, keeping it straight and tight. Step …

Instructions Step 1: Set up Place two cornhole boards 27 feet apart from front to front. Step 2: Take positions Stand at the side of your board, facing the opposite board and your teammate. Flip a coin to see which team goes first. Step 3: Begin playing Win the coin toss and throw the first …

Instructions Step 1: Measure the plywood Measure 9 inches from the top of the plywood and 12 inches from one side. Mark this spot with a pencil as the center of the cornhole. Step 2: Measure and cut a hole Measure with a compass and cut a nine-inch diameter hole with a jigsaw. Smooth the …

Instructions Step 1: Choose teams Divide the players into two teams of equal size. Step 2: Find playing field Find a large outdoor playing field that includes both open and wooded areas. Step 3: Mark territories Divide the playing field in half. Mark the boundaries with large sticks or rocks, or choose part of the …

Instructions Step 1: Choose the players Decide if you’ll be playing singles or doubles and choose the players. Shuffleboard can be played with two players or two teams of two. Step 2: Learn the game Familiarize yourself with the court. An outdoor shuffleboard court is a rectangle with a triangle at either end. The triangles …

Instructions Step 1: Make teams and rules Divide into two teams of seven and decide what score to play to, typically 15 or 21. Step 2: Mark end zones and side lines Mark off end zones and side lines with cones, or, in a pinch, T-shirts. TIP: A regulation field is 70 yards by 40 …

Instructions Step 1: Wear athletic clothes Wear form-fitting athletic clothing. Baggy or loose clothing may slow the hula hoop’s rotation. Step 2: Get it going With one foot in front of you, place the hoop against your back at waist height, wind it back, and then push it firmly counter-clockwise. TIP: Choose a hoop whose …

Instructions Step 1: Find open space Grab at least one of your friends and head to an open space. TIP: At least two people are needed to play, but the more the merrier! Step 2: Line up Get into a straight line facing forward. All players kneel down and cover their heads with their hands, …

Instructions Step 1: Look for someone who is close to your height with a similar leg length. TIP: If you’re right-handed, choose a left-handed partner and vice versa, so you can both utilize your stronger side. Step 2: Stand with your partner and face the same direction with your legs touching. Step 3: Tie the …

Instructions Step 1: Hang three Hula-hoops as the goals on each end of the playing field from a tree branch, soccer net crossbar, or something similar. Place the hoops about six feet off the ground. Step 2: Assign positions: Each team has three chasers, two beaters, one seeker, and one keeper. Designate the player who …

Instructions Step 1: Set up the course Plant seven wickets in the ground at the points of two imaginary end-to-end diamonds in a figure-eight pattern, and an eighth and ninth wicket near the top and bottom wickets. Plant stakes just beyond the top and bottom wickets. TIP: If you wish, mark the outer boundaries of …

Instructions Step 1: Set up a court by establishing boundaries of 44 feet long by 17 feet wide for a singles game and 44 feet by 20 feet for a doubles game. Place a net in the middle, with the top 5 feet off the ground. Step 2: Know the object of the game, which …

Instructions Step 1: Designate hiding spots Designate the playing area, being sure to mention if certain rooms are out of bounds. If playing outdoors, limit designated areas to your property, and don’t let small children hide near water or other potentially dangerous spots. Step 2: Select someone to be “it” Select someone to be “it.” …

Instructions Step 1: Find friends to play with Bocce is the kissing cousin of other games like petanque and lawn bowling, and it’s pretty simple. Grab as few as two and as many as eight people, and divide into two even teams, Team A and Team B. Step 2: Get the right gear Get a …

Instructions Step 1: Choose a pasture Choose a dairy cow pasture. Dairy cows tend to be more docile than beef cattle, although they are still easily startled. Step 2: Scout it out While it’s still light, pick an entry point from which you can make a quick getaway without being seen. Step 3: Return after …