Games and Activities

Physical Activity for a Healthier Life

Whether you are a youth, young adult, a generation x-er, baby boomer, or senior citizen, there is one element which everyone needs for a healthier life style; physical activity.  

Visit these web pages for additional information on adding physical activity to your life.

http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/physical/everyone/recommendations/index.htm

http://www.healthierus.gov

http://www.fitness.gov/fitness.htm

Importance of Outdoor Play for Children

America is faced with a dangerous epidemic which threatens the health of young people; childhood obesity. Approximately nine million children in the U.S. today are considered over weight and are at risk for heart disease and diabetes.  Applying at least one hour of fun, physical activity into a daily schedule can help to decrease the negative health effects obesity can render on a young person. Games are a great way to get started.  Whether playing in a group or alone, these simple, yet effective games can promote good health and provide hours of fun.    

Games are a great way to enjoy time together as a family without a large amount of planning and relatively little expense. Consider playing these old favorites – they’re tried and true and will provide hours of fun; even adults feel like children again.

Outdoor Group Games

Simon Says:
 
Choose one child to be "Simon"

Throughout the game, "Simon" directs the others in doing things, in place (such as "touch your nose" or "spin around"), sometimes using the phrase, "Simon Says".

When the phrase "Simon Says" is used, the others must do the directed action.

If a person does the wrong action, or does the right one but "Simon" did NOT say "Simon Says," then that child is "out" and can sit down for the rest of the game.

The last person standing is the winner and the next "Simon”.  
 
Hint: When directing, "Simon" may use actions and movements to either help or mislead the others

Hide and Seek:

This is a classic favorite.  NOTE: Be sure to set boundaries and do not permit children into unsupervised areas.

Rules:

• One person is “it”. 
• The person who is “it” counts to 20, 30, (you decide)
• Meanwhile, the others hide.
• The person who is “it” calls out: “Ready or not here I come!”  and attempts to find the others
• The first person, who is found, is the next “it” and calls out for the others to come out from their hiding spots and start the game over again. 

Note to Adults:  If a very young child wants to play, assign him/her a partner for safety reasons.  This person should always be a supervisor rather than a player.
 
Mother May I:

Rules:

• One person is “it”.
• The person who is “it” stands on one side of the yard or room.
• The others stand on the other side of the yard or room.
• The person who is “it” says to the first person in line. ”Johnny, you may take five (any number) giant steps".
• Johnny must say "Mother May I?" .
• The person who is “it” says, "Yes, you may” or “no, you may not".  If he or she say “yes”, Johnny takes 5 giant steps closer to the person who is it.
• Then the person who is “it” goes to the next person....etc.
• If a person forgets to say "Mother, May I?”, they must go back to the start.

Other possible directions from the person who is “it”.

1. giant steps
2. normal steps
3. tiny steps
4. tip toe
5. backward steps
6. hops

Name Tag Ball:

You need a soft kickball, Nerf ball or beach ball. (do not use a hard ball for this game)

• The person who is “it” throws the ball in the air and calls another player's name.
• The person whose name is called runs to catch the ball.  When they get the ball, they yell STOP!
• All players must stop and freeze where they are.
• The player who has the ball can take three giant steps towards any player.
• The player with the ball tries to hit the person with the ball (below the neck).
• If the player with the ball tags another person with the ball, that individual is “it”, unless the person catches the ball.  If the target individual catches the ball, the “it” person remains the same.
• A play is not counted if a person is tagged above the neck.

British Bull Dog:

Played on a large field, one player is the "bulldog", and stands in the middle of the field. The other players line up along an established boundary line one end of the field.

When the bulldog yells "British Bulldog!" the players try to run across the field to the other established boundary time without getting caught.

• The bulldog tries to catch as many players as possible by tagging them.
• Those caught then stay in the middle and become bulldogs for the next round.
• The last player left wins.

 Outdoor Games or Activities to Do Alone

• Jump Rope
• Bean Bag Toss
• Shooting Basketball Hoops
• Keeping a Balloon from Touching the Ground
• Kite Flying
• Walking/Jogging
• Gardening

Indoor Games and Activities to Do Alone

• Dancing
• Weight Lifting
• Chair Exercises
• Low Impact Aerobics
• Singing
• Play an Instrument
• Create an Artwork (sculpture, wood working piece, etc.)

 

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