Classic backyard and park games for kids

Why the old games last

Classic group games have simple rules that kids can learn in a minute and change to suit their group. They teach turn-taking, fair play and how to handle losing a round, all while kids run around. Here is how to play the favorites.

Each slate shows the age range chalked in on a ruler from 2 to 12, plus energy and mess on a scale of one to three marks. Ages are a rough guide; you know your child best.

Red light, green light

One player is the caller and stands at one end of the space, facing away from the group. The rest line up at the other end. When the caller says "green light", players move toward the caller. On "red light", the caller turns around and anyone still moving goes back to the start. The first player to tag the caller becomes the next caller. Add "yellow light" for slow motion to make it harder.

Freeze tag

One or two players are "it". When they tag someone, that player freezes in place. Frozen players can be freed when a teammate crawls under their legs or taps them. The round ends when everyone is frozen, or after a set time. With mixed ages, let younger kids be freed with a high five, or give older kids a rule like hopping on one foot.

Duck, duck, goose

Players sit in a circle. The picker walks around, tapping heads and saying "duck". When they say "goose", the tapped player jumps up and chases the picker around the circle. If the picker reaches the empty spot first, the goose becomes the new picker. This one suits ages 3 to 7 and needs little space.

Simon says

The leader gives commands like "Simon says touch your toes". Players follow only commands that start with "Simon says". Anyone who follows a command without it sits out until the next round, or for younger kids, just gets a gentle "oops" and keeps playing. It works indoors too.

Capture the flag

This game suits kids from about eight and needs a large space and at least six players.

1. Split into two teams and divide the space in half with a line of cones, a rope or a path.
2. Each team places a flag, such as a bandana, somewhere visible on its side.
3. Players try to grab the other team's flag and carry it back to their own side.
4. Anyone tagged on the other team's side goes to "jail" until a teammate frees them with a tag.
5. The first team to bring the flag home wins.

Tips for mixed-age groups

• Pair an older child with a younger one as a team.
• Give younger kids a head start or a "safe" spot.
• Keep rounds short so no one sits out for long.
• Let kids vote on rule changes. It cuts arguments and they enjoy having a say.

Need something for a rainy day instead? Many of these work in a hallway or basement; see rainy-day games.