Playground Games for Kids
Looking to bring more fun to the playground? Whether it’s for playtime, after-school fun, or a community play area, these timeless playground games for kids are fun, inclusive, and easy to organise.
1. Hopscotch
Equipment Needed: Chalk + a small stone or beanbag or hopscotch lines many already be there.
How to Play:
Draw a numbered grid on the ground. Players toss the stone onto a square and hop through the course, skipping the square with the stone.
2. Tag
Equipment Needed: None
How to Play:
One child is “it” and chases others until they tag someone, who becomes the new “it.” To keep it exciting, try variations like freeze tag, or shadow tag.
3. Duck, Duck, Goose
Equipment Needed: None
How to Play:
Players sit in a circle. One child walks around, tapping others while saying “duck… duck…” until they choose a “goose” — then it's a race around the circle where the goose is trying to catch the person who chose them!
4. Simon Says
Equipment Needed: None
How to Play:
One player gives commands starting with “Simon says.” If the phrase isn’t used and someone follows the command, they’re out. Great for listening skills!
5. Capture the Flag
Equipment Needed: Two flags + large play area
How to Play:
Split into two teams. The goal is to grab the other team’s flag and return without being tagged.
6. Hula Hoop Contest
Equipment Needed: Hula hoops
How to Play:
Each child spins their hoop and tries to keep it going the longest. For extra fun, add movement challenges or timed rounds.
7. Skipping
Equipment Needed: One skipping rope per child or two long jump ropes
How to Play:
Kids can jump solo or with friends. Double Dutch involves two ropes spinning in opposite directions — challenging but fun for older kids.
8. What’s the Time, Mr Wolf?
Equipment Needed: None
How to Play:
One child (Mr Wolf) stands at one end of the play area with their back turned. The other children call out, “What’s the time, Mr Wolf?” and take that number of steps forward. When Mr Wolf answers, “It’s dinner time!” they turn and chase the others back to the starting line. If someone is caught, they become the new Mr Wolf.
9. Stuck in the Mud
Equipment Needed: None
How to Play:
A fun twist on Tag — when a player is tagged, they “freeze” and must stand with legs apart. They can only be freed if another player crawls under their legs.
10. Hide and Seek
Equipment Needed: None but playground dependent
How to Play:
One player counts (usually to 10 or 20) with their eyes closed while the others hide. Once counting is done, the seeker tries to find all the hidden players. The first one found becomes the next seeker — or the last one found.