10 Fun Games to Play with Young Children this Summer

Summer is the perfect time to get busy and plan a range of fun activities and games to encourage your child to enjoy the sunshine. Not only does outdoor play have countless of health benefits, but it is also important to aid children in developing and enhancing key skills.  

Summer Games for Young Children

Here are 10 fun games to keep toddlers active, happy, and learning throughout summer.  

Hopscotch

Hopscotch is a great timeless game to play with young children. It encourages little ones to jump from one square to another. We recommend using a small stone and have your child throw the stone to a square of their choosing, then they must hop to the square while counting each number they pass.  

This is wonderful for learning to count, improving balance and coordination and building on your child’s physical strength. Simply draw a hopscotch grid on the pavement using some jumbo chalk and let the games begin…  

Tug of War 

A classical game that brings plenty of laughter for everyone involved. All you’ll need is a sturdy rope and possibly an object placed on the ground to establish a middle point. Invite a few friends over, or if you have multiple children then this is the perfect game for your household.  

Through this tugging game, children will learn the importance of teamwork and be able to build on their strength as they develop their muscles and endurance through the pulling motion.  

Skipping  

Skipping ropes aren’t just for the school playground, this activity can become a fun game at home which enhances a child’s coordination and rhythm while adding some exercise into the mix.  

There are several of variation to enjoy skipping, whether the traditional way of skipping by yourself, or having two people hold the rope while a third person skips, or by holding one side on the rope and swinging it low to the ground in a circle motion while others must jump the rope when it approaches them.  

Hide and Seek

Hide and seek never goes out of style and it’s probable that most of us grew up playing this game. Toddlers love the fun of trying to find somewhere to hide and the excitement of not being caught. It’s a game that encourages children’s problem-solving skills as they try to find the best place to hide and learn from previous times they’ve been caught!  

This game also enhances a child’s ability to be disciplined as they need to stay quiet. Hide and seek can help children understand spatial awareness and develop patience over time. These are all great skills to teach toddlers and young children.  

Escaping the Sprinklers 

On a hot summer’s day, why not set up the sprinklers in the garden and let the children run through it! This is a fun activity that can turn into a core memory in our childhood years. Not only is it refreshing on a sizzling day but is also improves a child’s agility and coordination as they try to dodge, dip, and run from the water streams.  

Let’s not forget, it’s tons of fun, so why not get involved?  

Bubbles Competition  

Blowing bubbles might seem simple but is a delightful activity that can be turned into a fun game. Why not make a bubble competition? Who can blow out the most bubbles? Or the biggest bubbles? Or who can pop the most bubbles!  

This simple game can enhance a young child’s motor skills and hand-eye coordination as they use precision to chase and pop the bubbles.  

Water and Sand Table 

Water and sand tables for toddlers are remarkable for sensory play. By filling up one side with water and the other with sand, children can enjoy a range of sand toys for kids to help them build castles, create water channels, and enjoy tactile play to develop fine motor skills and encourage their creativity.  

They also have the opportunity to understand concepts such as volume and weight by exploring motions like scooping and pouring.  

Spoon and Egg Race  

A traditional garden game for children, the infamous egg and spoon race. This is an enjoyable game that enhance a child’s balance and coordination. All you need is a spoon from the kitchen draw, and an egg! We recommend plastic eggs to eliminate any mess.  

Use the spoon the balance the egg and have a mini race, who will cross the finish line first without dropping the egg? It’s a great family activity or something to enjoy at your next playdate. To read about ‘How to Host and Enjoy a Playdate’, look no further. 

Hula Hoop Challenge  

Hula hooping is a great way to help young children develop core strength and coordination. Play a little competition on who can keep the hula hoop spinning the longest around their waist, add some music to bring your child’s creativity to life as they find other ways to play with it.  

You can also use it on the floor, for example, using it to jump through it or rolling it along the ground and seeing whose hoop travels the furthest.  

Stones Arts and Crafts  

Have some creative fun by collecting some rocks either on a walk around the park or in the comfort of your back garden. Collect all kinds of rocks that catches your toddler’s eye and layout a plastic sheet on the garden floor, bring all your arts and crafts such as painting sets for children and have fun painting your rocks in the sun, giving them googly eyes and funny smiles.  

This fosters creativity and fine motor skills while combining the joy of exploring nature and the fun of self-expression.  

Why These Activities Matter

According to National Childbirth Trust, children who spend plenty of time outdoors are likely to have better mental health and emotional wellbeing. Physical play fosters essential skills development such as fine motor skills and coordination. There are several games that children can enjoy outdoors that will enhance their physical capabilities, social skills, teamwork, and learning journey.  

Here is a list of benefits for young children who play outdoors:  

1. Helps children sleep better at night.  
2. Outdoor play creates a fun way to learn.  
3. Develops children’s motor skills.  
4. Encourages a healthy lifestyle.  
5. Creates a positive impact on the entire family.  
6. Encourages children to make new friends. 

In summary, summer is a wonderful time to plan a range of activities for toddlers. Get them active and enjoying the sun with these 10 activities and games, each aiding a child’s physical, cognitive, and emotional development. Explore a variety of outdoor toys for young children, pack up the snacks and drinks, and head outside to create some everlasting memories.  

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