Outdoor Games For Families: 10 Ideas, Rules & Gear Picks

Getting everyone outside for a proper family game session sounds great until you realize you need actual ideas that work. You want games that keep different ages engaged, fit your space (whether that's a small garden or the local park), and don't require a degree in sports science to understand. Plus, you'd rather not spend hours hunting down equipment or wondering if that game from your childhood actually had rules or if everyone just made them up as they went.

This guide walks you through 10 outdoor games families genuinely enjoy playing together. Each one includes straightforward rules, practical gear recommendations from Take a Hike UK, and tips for adapting games to different ages, spaces, and abilities. From classic chase games that need zero equipment to adventure challenges that turn your garden into an obstacle course, you'll find options for sunny afternoons, camping nights, and everything between.

1. Backyard Adventure Obstacle Course

Transform your garden into an exciting challenge course that gets everyone moving. This game combines physical activity with problem-solving as family members navigate a series of stations you set up using household items and outdoor gear. You can adjust the difficulty, add themed elements (like a jungle expedition or space mission), and rotate who designs the course to keep things fresh over multiple sessions.

Game idea: backyard adventure obstacle course

You create a circuit of physical challenges using whatever's available in your space. Think crawling under washing lines, hopping between cushions, balancing along a garden border, throwing beanbags at targets, and weaving between garden chairs. The beauty of this setup lies in its flexibility. You can make it competitive with timed runs or keep it cooperative where everyone works together to complete challenges.

How the game works and rules

Mark a clear start and finish line for your course. Set up 5 to 8 stations with different challenges, spacing them naturally around your garden or outdoor space. Each player completes the course while someone times them, or the whole family tackles it together. You can run it relay-style where team members tag each other between stations, or create a points system where completing harder obstacles earns bonus scores.

Keep a clipboard at the start line to track times or scores, turning each attempt into a mini competition.

Recommended gear picks from Take a Hike UK

Your camping gear works brilliantly here. Use pop-up tents as crawl-through tunnels, sleeping bags rolled up as balance beams, and backpacks as items to carry between stations. A portable Bluetooth speaker keeps energy high with music, while water bottles from the hydration range let everyone grab a drink between rounds without interrupting the flow.

Make it work for different ages and spaces

Younger children thrive with lower obstacles and fewer stations. Set cushions closer together for stepping stones, make tunnels wider, and focus on fun rather than speed. Older kids and adults appreciate added complexity like carrying objects while navigating or completing challenges backwards. Small gardens work fine with 4 to 5 compact stations, while parks give you room for longer running sections and spread-out challenges.

Safety, accessibility and weather tips

Check your course for trip hazards before anyone starts running. Remove sharp objects, secure any wobbly equipment, and avoid placing obstacles near hard surfaces like patios. Make stations wheelchair-accessible by including challenges that don't require mobility, such as target throwing or puzzle-solving. Rain makes grass slippery, so switch to indoor-outdoor hybrid courses or reschedule. Hot days demand frequent water breaks and shade stops between attempts.

2. Capture The Flag

This classic territory game brings out everyone's strategic thinking and teamwork skills. Capture the flag ranks among the most enduring outdoor games for families because it combines physical activity with tactical planning, making it equally engaging whether you're seven or seventy. You split into teams, defend your territory, and attempt daring raids to steal the opposing team's flag while protecting your own.

Game idea: capture the flag

Two teams compete to capture the opponent's flag and return it safely to their own base without getting tagged. Each team establishes a home territory where they hide their flag (a cloth, bandana, or any visible marker) and defend it from invaders. Players venture into enemy territory to grab the flag but risk getting tagged and sent to "jail." The first team to successfully capture and return the opposing flag wins the round.

How the game works and rules

Divide your playing area (garden, park, or woodland) into two distinct territories with a visible boundary line. Each team hides their flag within their territory, keeping at least part of it visible. When you tag an opponent in your territory, they go to your team's designated jail spot. Teammates can free jailed players by sneaking in and tagging them without getting caught themselves. If you grab the flag but get tagged before crossing back to your side, you drop it where you were tagged and head to jail.

Set a time limit of 20 to 30 minutes per round if neither team captures the flag, then switch territories and play again.

Recommended gear picks

Brightly coloured items work best as flags since everyone needs to spot them quickly. Use camping towels, bandanas, or even a lightweight backpack from Take a Hike UK's range. A portable Bluetooth speaker helps you signal the start and end of rounds across larger playing areas. Water bottles become essential as players cover significant ground during each game.

Make it work for different ages and spaces

Younger children benefit from smaller territories and simpler jail rules (perhaps no jail at all for under-sevens). Gardens suit teams of three to four players with condensed boundaries. Parks and woodland areas accommodate larger groups of eight to twelve players and allow for more elaborate hiding spots. Consider creating safe zones where players can rest briefly without threat of tagging.

Safety, accessibility and weather tips

Walk the playing area before starting to identify trip hazards like tree roots, holes, or hidden obstacles. Establish clear boundaries that keep players away from roads, water, or steep drops. Players with limited mobility can serve as jail guards or flag protectors, taking essential roles that don't require running. Avoid playing in extremely hot weather when running for extended periods becomes unsafe, and postpone games during wet conditions that make ground surfaces slippery.

3. Garden Rounders Or Soft Cricket

British gardens and parks provide the perfect setting for bat-and-ball games that get everyone involved regardless of sporting ability. Garden rounders and soft cricket offer the competitive spirit of traditional sports without requiring specialized pitches or intimidating skill levels. You adapt the rules, use softer equipment, and create a game where younger children stand equal chances alongside adults, making these ideal outdoor games for families seeking inclusive activity.

Game idea: garden rounders or soft cricket

You set up a simplified version of rounders or cricket using soft balls, basic bats, and everyday items as bases or wickets. Rounders involves hitting a ball and running between posts before fielders return it, while garden cricket focuses on batting and bowling with simplified scoring. Both games scale beautifully to your available space and player numbers, working equally well with four people or twelve.

How the game works and rules

For rounders, mark four bases in a diamond shape using jumpers, cushions, or garden markers. The bowler tosses underarm to the batter who hits and runs to as many bases as possible before fielders catch or return the ball. Score one point per base reached, with bonus points for complete circuits. Garden cricket uses one set of stumps (or a bin, chair, or similar target). Batters defend their wicket while scoring runs by hitting the ball and running to the opposite end of the pitch. Set a maximum score per batter to keep everyone involved.

Agree on a "six and out" rule where hitting the ball beyond a boundary line scores maximum points but ends your batting turn.

Recommended gear picks

Soft foam balls prevent injuries and property damage while maintaining game playability. Take a Hike UK's camping range includes lightweight folding chairs that double as wickets or base markers. Use water bottles to mark boundaries and keep hydration accessible during play. A portable Bluetooth speaker adds atmosphere with music between innings.

Make it work for different ages and spaces

Younger players benefit from larger, softer balls and closer bowling distances. Let children under eight bat from a tee instead of facing bowled deliveries. Small gardens work fine with three bases instead of four and shorter batting distances. Larger spaces in parks allow for proper pitch lengths and boundary scoring. Adjust the ball size and bowling speed based on the youngest participant's comfort level.

Safety, accessibility and weather tips

Keep spectators and non-playing family members well clear of the batting area. Soft balls still hurt at close range, particularly if hit powerfully. Players with mobility challenges can bat from a seated position or take permanent fielding positions that suit their capabilities. Wet grass makes running between bases hazardous, so switch to walking-only rules during damp conditions. Strong wind affects ball trajectory significantly, requiring you to adjust bowling techniques and fielding positions accordingly.

4. Nature Scavenger Hunt And Photo Safari

Combine exploration, observation skills, and friendly competition with a nature-based treasure hunt that works brilliantly in gardens, parks, or woodland walks. This game encourages families to slow down and notice the natural world around them while creating lasting memories through photographs. You can theme hunts seasonally (autumn leaves, spring flowers, winter frost patterns) or focus on specific categories like textures, colours, or wildlife signs.

Game idea: nature scavenger hunt and photo safari

You create a list of natural items or features for players to find and photograph rather than collect. Think oak leaves, animal tracks, something red, a bird in flight, interesting bark patterns, or spider webs. Players use cameras or phones to document their discoveries, earning points for each item found. The photo element adds creativity since players decide how to frame their shots while making the game environmentally friendly by leaving everything in place.

How the game works and rules

Prepare a list of 15 to 20 items before heading outdoors. Give each player or team a printed copy and set a time limit of 30 to 60 minutes depending on your location size. Players search the area, photographing items as they find them. Award one point per item found, with bonus points for particularly creative photographs or rare discoveries. Everyone gathers at the end to share photos and verify finds. The player or team with the most points wins.

Create themed challenges like "photograph something that starts with each family member's initial" to personalize the hunt.

Recommended gear picks

Smartphone cameras work perfectly for most hunts, but Take a Hike UK's mini action cameras offer rugged alternatives for younger explorers who might drop devices. Backpacks from the gear range let players carry water bottles, snacks, and their lists comfortably. A portable power bank ensures phones don't die mid-hunt, particularly important for longer sessions.

Make it work for different ages and spaces

Younger children need simpler lists with common, easily identifiable items like "something smooth" or "a yellow flower." Small gardens benefit from detailed observation challenges ("find five different leaf shapes") rather than quantity. Parks and woodland areas suit broader hunts with movement between zones. Teenagers enjoy abstract challenges like "capture something that represents autumn" or timed photography competitions.

Safety, accessibility and weather tips

Establish clear boundaries for your hunt area and set specific meeting times and locations. Players with mobility limitations can participate from a central spot, identifying items others photograph and bring to them. Check weather forecasts since rain damages phones and makes photography challenging. Bring protective cases or switch to observational hunts without cameras during uncertain conditions.

5. Water Balloon And Sponge Relay Games

Hot summer days call for outdoor games for families that combine cooling relief with active fun. Water balloon and sponge relay games bring laughter, light competition, and welcome splashes to garden gatherings. You set up relay courses where teams race while transporting water using balloons or sponges, balancing speed against spillage as water drips, balloons burst, and everyone ends up thoroughly soaked.

Game idea: water balloon and sponge relay games

Teams compete to transfer water from one bucket to another using only balloons or sponges. You can run balloon tosses where partners throw increasingly distant catches, relay races where players balance water balloons on spoons, or bucket-filling challenges where sponge runners sprint between containers squeezing every drop they can. The unpredictable nature of bursting balloons and dripping sponges creates hilarious moments that level the playing field across ages.

How the game works and rules

Place two large buckets at opposite ends of your playing area. Fill one bucket with water and leave the other empty. Players race to transfer water using their chosen method within a set time limit, typically 5 to 10 minutes. For balloon relays, players run with a water balloon, empty it into the target bucket, then sprint back to tag the next teammate. Sponge relays require players to soak a sponge, run to the distant bucket, squeeze out the water, and return. The team with the most water transferred wins.

Set a "burst balloon" rule where players must return to start and grab a new balloon rather than continuing with a popped one.

Recommended gear picks

You need large buckets or containers to hold water at each end. Take a Hike UK's camping range includes collapsible water containers that work brilliantly for this purpose. Keep spare towels in waterproof bags for post-game drying. A portable Bluetooth speaker adds energy with upbeat music, while water bottles from the hydration range ensure everyone drinks properly between rounds.

Make it work for different ages and spaces

Younger children manage shorter distances between buckets and larger, easier-to-grip sponges. Skip water balloons entirely for under-fives who might struggle with the coordination required. Small gardens suit single-lane relays with teams taking turns, while parks accommodate multiple simultaneous lanes for direct competition. Teenagers enjoy added challenges like obstacle courses between buckets or blindfolded water transfers with partner guidance.

Safety, accessibility and weather tips

Check your playing surface for slipping hazards since wet grass becomes treacherous quickly. Avoid hard paving areas where falls might cause injuries. Players with mobility challenges can serve as official water measurers or timekeepers, taking crucial roles that support their team without requiring running. Play only in genuinely warm weather when getting soaked feels refreshing rather than uncomfortable. Have dry clothes and towels ready for anyone who finds the cold unpleasant.

6. Giant Lawn Games Circuit

Oversized versions of classic board and pub games bring unexpected excitement to outdoor spaces. These giant lawn games create instant entertainment that draws everyone in, from toddlers fascinated by massive game pieces to grandparents enjoying familiar formats at a new scale. You set up multiple game stations around your garden or park area, creating a tournament-style circuit where families rotate between activities, keeping engagement high throughout the session.

Game idea: giant lawn games circuit

You establish several game stations featuring oversized versions of Connect Four, Jenga, dominoes, noughts and crosses, or skittles. Players move between stations either on a timer or after completing each game. This rotation system ensures everyone experiences different challenges while preventing the boredom that sometimes creeps into single-activity sessions. The tactile satisfaction of handling large game pieces adds physical engagement to games originally played at table scale.

How the game works and rules

Position three to five game stations around your outdoor space with clear walking paths between them. Assign families or individuals to starting stations, then rotate groups every 10 to 15 minutes or after each complete game. Keep score across all stations, awarding points for wins and bonus points for particularly impressive moves. Alternatively, run it cooperatively where everyone works together to beat personal bests at each station.

Create scorecards listing each station so players track their progress and remember which games they've completed.

Recommended gear picks

Many retailers sell giant outdoor games, though you can craft homemade versions using painted wood blocks for Jenga or dominoes. Take a Hike UK's camping chairs provide comfortable seating between active stations. Use their portable Bluetooth speaker to signal rotation times, and keep water bottles accessible at each station so players stay hydrated without abandoning games mid-play.

Make it work for different ages and spaces

Younger children excel at simpler games like giant noughts and crosses or skittles, while complex games like Connect Four suit older players. Small gardens accommodate two to three compact game stations, whereas parks allow expansive circuits with six or more options. Adjust game difficulty by adding time limits for experienced players or removing competitive elements for purely social play.

Safety, accessibility and weather tips

Position game stations on level ground away from slopes where pieces might roll unexpectedly. Check wooden pieces for splinters before play. Players with limited mobility can participate fully in most giant lawn games since these typically involve standing or seated play rather than running. Wind affects lighter game pieces significantly, so postpone sessions during blustery conditions or weight pieces down. Rain warps wooden games, requiring you to either use weatherproof versions or store equipment immediately when weather threatens.

7. Garden Camping Night And Torch Games

Turn an ordinary evening into an adventure experience without leaving home by combining camping gear with darkness-based games. Garden camping nights create memorable outdoor games for families through the simple thrill of sleeping under canvas (even if that canvas sits three metres from your back door) paired with torch-powered activities that transform familiar spaces into exciting territory once the sun sets.

Game idea: garden camping night and torch games

You pitch tents in your garden for an overnight camp, then organize games that use torches as central equipment. Shadow puppet theatres projected onto tent walls, torch tag where the beam "catches" players, morse code message relays between tents, and constellation spotting all gain excitement from the darkness factor. The camping element builds anticipation throughout the day as you set up, turning the evening games into the highlight of a mini expedition.

How the game works and rules

Set up tents before sunset, establishing each one as a team base for games. Torch tag works like regular tag but players aim torch beams at others to make catches, with tagged players joining the chaser's team. Shadow theatre involves creating animal shapes or telling stories using torch light against tent fabric. Constellation hunting awards points for correctly identifying stars and planets. Run each game for 15 to 20 minutes before rotating to keep energy high.

Establish a "lights out" boundary beyond which torches must stay pointed downward to avoid disturbing neighbours.

Recommended gear picks

Take a Hike UK's camping tent range provides shelter suited to different family sizes. Headtorches from their gear collection free up hands for other activities, while sleeping bags ensure comfortable overnight stays. Portable Bluetooth speakers add atmosphere with nature sounds or storytelling between games. Stock up on spare batteries since torch games drain power quickly.

Make it work for different ages and spaces

Younger children appreciate shorter camping sessions where you return indoors for actual sleep after games finish. Small gardens accommodate single-tent setups with torch games played in surrounding space. Teenagers enjoy extended torch tag with larger playing areas and complex rules like safe zones or team strategies.

Safety, accessibility and weather tips

Check weather forecasts carefully since overnight rain makes camping miserable. Clear trip hazards from game areas before darkness falls, as torches provide limited visibility. Players with visual impairments can participate in audio-based games like sound location challenges or storytelling sessions. Position tents away from garden obstacles and ensure everyone knows boundaries to prevent nighttime accidents.

8. Family Trail Or Park Bingo Walk

Walking becomes a game when you add bingo-style objectives that turn ordinary paths into exciting missions. This approach works brilliantly for families who want gentle exercise combined with observation challenges, making it one of the most adaptable outdoor games for families regardless of fitness levels. You create custom bingo cards featuring items to spot during walks, from specific tree types to architectural details, transforming familiar routes into treasure hunts that keep everyone engaged.

Game idea: family trail or park bingo walk

You prepare bingo cards listing items to find during your walk, such as red front doors, squirrels, postboxes, specific car colours, or natural features like pinecones and puddles. Players mark off items as they spot them, aiming to complete a full row, column, or entire card. This observation-focused game encourages younger walkers to stay interested while older participants enjoy the challenge of spotting rarer items first.

How the game works and rules

Create cards with a 5x5 grid containing 25 different items appropriate to your walking location. Give each family member a card and a pen before setting off. Players call out items as they spot them, marking their cards accordingly. The first person to complete five in a row (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) wins that round, though you can continue walking to see who completes their entire card. Alternatively, run it cooperatively where the family works together to spot everything.

Design themed cards around seasons, such as "autumn walks" featuring falling leaves, conkers, and migrating birds.

Recommended gear picks

Print cards on waterproof paper or seal regular paper in clear plastic wallets. Take a Hike UK's lightweight backpacks carry cards, pens, and snacks comfortably. Bring water bottles from their hydration range since walks often extend longer than planned when everyone's absorbed in spotting items. Mini action cameras let you photograph rare finds as proof.

Make it work for different ages and spaces

Younger children need picture-based cards rather than written lists, featuring simple images they recognize instantly. Urban walks suit cards listing man-made objects like traffic lights or shop signs, while countryside routes focus on natural items. Short 15-minute walks around the block work for toddlers, whereas teenagers appreciate longer trail challenges with obscure items requiring keen observation.

Safety, accessibility and weather tips

Plan routes along safe footpaths away from busy roads, particularly when children focus on spotting items rather than traffic. Choose wheelchair-accessible trails with smooth surfaces for players with mobility needs. Pack waterproof jackets since walks expose you to changing weather, and avoid extremely hot days when extended walking becomes uncomfortable. Brief everyone on road safety rules before starting, ensuring spotting enthusiasm doesn't override caution.

9. Classic Tag And Chase Games

Sometimes the simplest outdoor games for families create the most memorable moments. Tag and chase games require absolutely no equipment, work in virtually any outdoor space, and adapt instantly to different player numbers and abilities. These timeless games get hearts racing, build cardiovascular fitness naturally, and generate genuine laughter as players dart between trees, around benches, or across open grass. You probably played these yourself as a child, and their enduring popularity proves their effectiveness at delivering pure, uncomplicated fun.

Game idea: classic tag and chase games

You designate one person as "it" who chases other players, attempting to tag them by touching them with a hand. Once tagged, that player becomes the new chaser. Variations include freeze tag (tagged players stand frozen until another player unfreezes them), shadow tag (you tag someone's shadow instead of their body), and stuck in the mud (tagged players spread their legs and stand still until someone crawls through to free them). British Bulldog involves one player in the middle attempting to tag runners crossing between two safe lines.

How the game works and rules

Establish clear boundary lines for your playing area before starting. Players must stay within these boundaries or automatically become "it." In basic tag, the chaser pursues players until making contact, then immediately switches roles with the tagged person. Freeze tag requires the chaser to freeze all players before winning. Shadow tag works best in sunny conditions when shadows appear clearly defined. Set time limits of 10 to 15 minutes per game to prevent exhaustion.

Introduce a "no tag backs" rule where newly tagged players cannot immediately tag the person who just tagged them.

Recommended gear picks

Chase games need minimal equipment, though comfortable trainers prevent slips and provide ankle support during sudden direction changes. Take a Hike UK's water bottles become essential hydration stations between rounds. Their Bluetooth speakers pump energy into games with upbeat music during breaks.

Make it work for different ages and spaces

Younger children benefit from walking-speed tag where everyone moves at a brisk walk rather than running. Small gardens suit freeze tag with three to four players, while parks accommodate large-group games like British Bulldog with ten or more participants. Teenagers appreciate complex variations like zombie tag where tagged players join the chasing team.

Safety, accessibility and weather tips

Survey your playing area for trip hazards like exposed roots, holes, or hidden obstacles before anyone starts running. Players with mobility limitations can participate as boundary judges or join adapted versions where everyone moves at their speed. Wet grass creates slipping dangers, requiring you to either slow the pace or move to drier surfaces. Hot weather demands frequent breaks and shade periods between rounds.

10. Cooperative Family Challenges

Switch from competition to collaboration with outdoor games for families that require everyone to work together towards shared goals. These challenges build teamwork skills while removing the pressure of winning and losing that sometimes dampens enthusiasm. You create tasks where success depends on collective effort, communication, and creative problem-solving rather than individual performance, making them particularly valuable for mixed-age groups where traditional competitive games might favour older or more athletic family members.

Game idea: cooperative family challenges

You design physical puzzles where families must transport objects without using hands, build human pyramids, navigate obstacle courses while connected by rope, or complete timed challenges like "get everyone onto a small tarp square" or "move the entire family across the garden using only three stepping stones." These scenarios require planning and coordination, encouraging quieter family members to contribute ideas while active participants execute strategies.

How the game works and rules

Set specific challenge parameters before starting each task. For the tarp challenge, everyone must stand on a gradually shrinking tarp without anyone touching the ground outside it. Stepping stone challenges allow feet only on designated spots, requiring players to support each other's weight and plan crossing sequences. Award yourselves points based on completion time or attempts needed, creating a record you can beat during future sessions.

Agree that everyone can suggest strategies before attempts, ensuring all voices contribute regardless of age or physical capability.

Recommended gear picks

Take a Hike UK's camping tarps work perfectly for shrinking island challenges. Their rope and cord from the outdoor gear range connects players for linked movement challenges. Backpacks filled with varying weights create object transport tasks, while water bottles serve as items to balance or carry collaboratively.

Make it work for different ages and spaces

Younger children grasp simpler objectives like "everyone holds hands and steps over this rope together." Small gardens suit compact challenges, while parks allow elaborate multi-stage tasks. Teenagers appreciate abstract problems requiring creative solutions rather than obvious physical approaches.

Safety, accessibility and weather tips

Test challenges yourself before involving children to identify potential injuries. Players with mobility differences often excel at directing team strategy from stationary positions. Wet conditions make balance challenges dangerous, requiring you to switch to seated or kneeling variations that reduce falling risks.

Bring your games outside

These outdoor games for families bring everyone together without demanding complicated setup or expensive equipment. You now have ten solid options that adapt to your space, your family's ages, and whatever weather greets you. The best part? Each game builds on items you likely own already or can easily source from everyday household items.

Getting outside regularly strengthens family bonds while keeping everyone active and engaged. Visit Take a Hike UK to find the camping gear, backpacks, water bottles, and outdoor essentials that make these games run smoothly, from weekend park visits to garden adventure sessions.