They're words you may have sworn never to utter, knowing how often your parents said them to you in the summers: "Don't you want to go play outside?" And yet you can't help but repeat them when your little ones come to you complaining of being bored or asking to watch "Moana" for the 15th time, despite the shining sun. When your mini mes are especially reluctant to get out the door, having the right outdoor games for kids is the perfect incentive.
And listen, it's not just that getting them outside affords you some peace and quiet or keeps them busy when you have company over. Children who spend more time exploring nature had improved learning outcomes like a heightened sense of curiosity, creativity, and even critical thinking, reports the American Academy of Pediatrics. And having some fun yard games for kids just prompts them to begin that healthy exploration. Yard games for kids are also fantastic to have on hand during summer parties, since they'll help any little ones in attendance play together — and adults may want to join in, too.
Of course, the summer's long and kids' attention spans can be short, so we rounded up 44 fun outdoor games for kids that'll keep the fun going all season. These range from nostalgic yard games to modernized classics. But they do have one thing in common — they're so much fun, you'll find yourself saying something a little different to your kids this year: "Don't you want to come inside?"