There are plenty of outdoor games for families with adults and kids of all ages. While most games have sets of rules to follow, rules are sometimes meant to be broken when fun is the top priority. Here are some of the most fun outdoor games for the family—ones with flexible rules and plenty of variants to explore:
Mölkky: The object of the game of Mölkky is getting the highest score by hitting pins. You throw a baton at the pins and earn the point value of the ones you knock down. Since kids are still working on their aim, encourage rolling as well as throwing to increase their chances of knocking down pins.
Yardzee: Like traditional Yahtzee, Yardzee is played by satisfying the conditions on a scorecard. Since some of these conditions can be complex, like rolling a large or small straight, give kids some leeway as you’re scoring.
Kubb: Knocking down blocks is the name of the game in Kubb, a combination of horse shoes and bowling. This game requires minimal setup and minimal rules, making it a fun option for all ages.
Croquet: There are some rules to follow in croquet, but once you get the hang of it, it’s a highly addicting game for all ages. As you send your ball through the wickets in the right order, you’ll have to contend with the other players knocking you out of the way—abandon this part of the game if you want to make it easier on younger kids.
Volleyball: If you’ve got a large group of kids to entertain, a friendly game of volleyball is one that anyone can play. The object of the game is to get the ball to land in your opponent’s court. Take it easy on kids by allowing them to throw the ball as well as hitting it.
The beauty of these great outdoor games for the family is that kids can grow into them. Practice counting and adding with Mölkky—then, help kids develop strategy as these skills become secondary. Pretty soon it’ll be mom and dad who need the helping hand!