Outdoor Games for Kids

This is a very simple sport, but necessarily restricted to those spots where there is a river, or a pond of some magnitude.

Dig near a wall nine holes, of about six inches in diameter, and three deep. Let each player have one of these, according to his number, which must be determined by lot.

10 to 60 players.
Indoors; out of doors; schoolroom.

This is a most delightful game, and is a very great favourite among boys of all classes. It is commenced by choosing Captains, which is either done by lot or by the “sweet voices” of the youths.

This game is played with a trap and ball, which is struck with a bat or bludgeon at the pleasure of the players; but the latter is most commonly used.

10 to 30 or more players.
Indoors; out of doors.

Chalk or make a line, or, as it is usually termed, “a garter,” on the ground; on this line one of the players must place himself and bend down as in leap-frog, while the other players in rotation leap over him, the last one as he flies over calling out “Foot it.”

This is a most excellent game, and very popular in some counties. It is played with a moderate-sized ball and a hand-bat, i. e. a bat that can be held in one hand, and which is about two feet in length, smooth, and round.

5 to 60 or more players.
Indoors; out of doors.

This may be played by any number of boys: one being selected as the Leader, and the others are the Followers.

This is an old English sport, mentioned by Gower and Chaucer, and was at one period common to women as well as men. In the northern parts of England, particularly in Yorkshire, it is practised in the following manner:

6 to 30 or more players.
Indoors; out of doors.

This is a brisk game, and may be played by any number of boys. One of the players being chosen as Touch, it is his business to run about in all directions after the other players, till he can touch one, who immediately becomes Touch in his turn.

6 to 60 players or more.
Indoors; out of doors.

Two bases having been made, one at each end of the playground, all the players take up their position in one of them,

Trundling the hoop is a pastime of uncertain origin, but it has long contributed to the health and amusement of the youth of Great Britain.

10 to 100 players.
Parlor; schoolroom; out of doors.

This is perhaps the very best game that can be introduced into a school. The principle of it is very simple, that one boy represents the Hare and runs away, while the others represent the Hounds and pursue him.

Flying Kites.The form of the kite and manner of flying it must be familiar to all our readers. This favourite toy probably received its denomination from having originally been made in the shape of the bird called the kite.