In early 2024, communications regulator Ofcom reported that in the UK, 97% of children have their own mobile phone by the age of 12; half of those under 13 have social media, and a quarter of three and four year olds own a smartphone. That’s a lot of screentime!
It’s no surprise then that it can be a challenge to get kids to disconnect from devices and engage in physical play, but there are so many mental, physical, and social benefits of playing outside; from muscle and bone strength to improved mental wellbeing, outdoor play can be crucial to healthy development.
Creative outdoor games that combine fun, adventure, and engagement without screens can be instrumental in encouraging kids to ditch the tech for a bit, and get back to nature. In this article, we’ll be exploring some of the ways that you can do that.
The essentials of creative outdoor games
When it comes to creating opportunities for engaging outdoor play, there are a few elements to consider, which include:
DIY vs. shop-bought: Shop-bought games can be super convenient if you need to entertain your kids quickly and effectively. However, some of the best games (and memories) can be made or improvised with everyday items.
Safety first: Don’t forget that, as an adult, safety considerations are up to you, especially when playing in outdoor settings like parks or back gardens; adapt the play for the age and ability of your children, and always keep an eye on them.
Explore beyond the back garden: Adventure parks and ready-made playgrounds exist specifically for creative outdoor play; utilising them is super convenient!
Classic outdoor games with a creative twist
One pretty foolproof way to introduce outdoor play is to bring out the classics, putting your own twist on them to pique your children’s interests. For example, kids love the satisfaction of a search, so turning a traditional scavenger hunt into a themed adventure, like a pirate treasure hunt or nature detective mission, could provide some decent fun.
Alternatively, you could set up an obstacle course challenge using items in the back garden, or using nature trails and park amenities for a more adventurous course.
Adventure parks: where nature meets play
Researching nearby adventure parks could open up a whole new world for your kids; they offer natural yet safe settings and playgrounds designed especially for creative play, with facilities you’d struggle to replicate at home. Many parks boast themes like jungle gyms, nature trails, zip lines, and climbing walls, which can inspire imaginative games.
DIY games and activities for the back garden
Sometimes, you can’t beat a game that’s made up on the spot with what you have; often, those are the games kids remember the most. If you’re a little stuck for ideas, here are a few games and activities you could improvise with:
Garden Olympics: Create an Olympic-style event with simple sports or unique games, such as water balloon races.
Nature art projects: Combine creativity and play by making art with natural materials found outside, such as leaf collages or painted rocks.
Storytelling adventures: Turn your back garden into an immersive world of imagination, encouraging kids to create and act out their own stories, whether they’re inspired by the likes of Frozen, or want to go old school with something like Harry Potter!
Social games: Building teamwork and friendship
Of course, games are a fantastic way to build bonds that could last a lifetime; these team games could help forge friendships in the outdoors:
Tug-of-war: As physical as it is fun! You could even add creative twists, like themed teams or obstacle elements, to make the traditional tug-of-war game even more engaging.
Relay races: Far superior to the sports day version we all remember, you could suggest creative relay race formats that involve teamwork, strategy, and lots of laughter, like three-legged races, or ‘dress-up’ relays.
Adventure park group trips: Activities such as the high ropes often rely on teamwork to not only strategise, but build up confidence, which is just one of the benefits of adventure parks.
To conclude
There are so many options when it comes to the kind of outdoor play that can get children to unplug and get back to nature. While it can initially be difficult to prize those iPads and games consoles away from them, setting aside specific times for outdoor play, limiting screen time, and getting involved as a familiar can all help.
If necessary, create a rewards system for completing outdoor challenges or reaching milestones in their creative play, but never forget the main goal – to have plenty of fun!