Outdoor Games for Larger Groups

These active games require a lot of open space and are great for larger groups.

Capture the Flag

The object of the game is to capture the opposing team's flag, without being caught.

Divide players into two teams and assign each team a large playing area as their "home base". Each team must hide a flag somewhere within their "home base". Teams are allowed two guards to protect their flag. The remaining players seek out the opposing team's flag. When players are tagged on the opposing team's side, they go to jail (a designated area within each home base). The only way to free jailed players is for teammates to tag them, without getting tagged themselves. Freed players must return to their home base area before they can start searching again. Player(s) who find the flag must successfully bring it back to their home base in order to win the game. This game is good for children 4+.

Red Rover

Divide players into two teams. Each team lines up a fair distance apart, holding hands and facing the opposing team. The first team selects someone from the other team and says "Red Rover, Red Rover, let (name) come over". The child who is called must run towards the opposing team and try to break through the chain. If successful, they choose someone to take back to their team. If unsuccessful, they join the opposing team. The game continues until one team runs out of players.

By Rochelle Strauss