Top 10 Neighborhood Games for All Ages

by: Lindsay Hutton

Remember when you were a child, and everyone in your neighborhood would gather for a rousing game of kickball or hide and seek? When the dog days of summer get boring, get outside and get everyone in the neighborhood involved with one of these favorite childhood games. Your kids will have a blast, and they'll bring back memories of your own childhood!

Kickball

This old-time favorite is a great game for kids of all ages. The rules for kickball are similar to baseball, except instead of hitting the ball, you have to--you guessed it--kick it.

Read up on the complete set of rules for how to play kickball.

Wiffle Ball

Wiffle ball is played much the same as baseball, except the bat and ball are made out of lightweight plastic, making it easier and safer for little ones to play. Ideally, you want nine people on each team, one for each position in the field, but this can be altered to suit any size team.

Young children will also love this indoor version of wiffle ball.

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Freeze Tag

Who hasn't played freeze tag? Not only can an unlimited number of kids play, it's also a great way to expend a little pent-up energy! So round up all the kids you can find, and designate one person to be "it."

Whoever is "it" chases the other kids around, trying to tag them. If a child is tagged, he must freeze in place until another child who isn't "it" unfreezes him by tagging him again. Keep playing until everyone is exhausted, but just remember to switch whoever is "it" from time to time to make it a fair game.

For a little twist on this game, try shadow tag.

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Dodge Ball

Dodge ball can be a blast, as long as you use soft balls that won't sting when you get hit (and it's best to keep the younger kids out of this one). Split your group of kids into two teams, and then go to town throwing the balls at each other. When someone is hit, he is "out" and sits down. If someone catches an offending ball, the thrower is out. The game continues until all members of one team are eliminated.

Street Hockey

Street hockey is a great game for older kids who enjoy a little competition. It is played like regular hockey, only it's on pavement, not ice. Kids can play it in sneakers, or strap on some roller blades to make it a little harder. Just make sure this game is played well out of the way of traffic or moving cars.

Get some tips on finding the right roller blades for your little skater.

Hide and Seek

No neighborhood game day is complete without a game of hide and seek. For safety reasons, limit the area your group can hide in, so nobody wanders too far away.

If your little one is too small to play this game, try this indoor version of hide and seek.

Red Rover

Do you remember this childhood game? Teams line up across from one another in a straight line, and hold hands to form a chain. Each team takes turns calling a member of the other team over, using the well known "Red Rover" chant. The chosen person runs at the "chain" of kids, and tries to break through. It he isn't able to, he then has to join that team.

Don't remember the "Red Rover" chant? Here's a look at the complete Red Rover verse, as well as a full set of rules on how to play.

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Ultimate Frisbee

Do you think you're a Frisbee pro? Try ultimate Frisbee! You need seven players for each team and a large backyard to play. Ultimate Frisbee is very similar to football, with end zones and yard lines.

Take a look at the complete set of rules for ultimate Frisbee.

Sardines

Sardines is a form of hide and seek, only in reverse. Whoever is "it" hides, while the others count. The counters then look for "it." When a counter finds him, he hides with him. This continues until only one counter is left.

Find a complete set of rules for how to play sardines.

Four Square

Do you have a bouncy ball, and a large area to draw a square? Play four square! The ultimate goal of the game is to be the "1" player in the serving box. Four square is a long-time childhood favorite that is easy to play and great for a smaller group of friends.

Read up on the complete set of rules for Four Square .

by: Lindsay Hutton

Kickball

Wiffle Ball

Freeze Tag

Dodge Ball

Street Hockey

Hide and Seek

Red Rover

Ultimate Frisbee

Sardines

Four Square

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by: Lindsay Hutton

Kickball

Wiffle Ball

Freeze Tag

Dodge Ball

Street Hockey

Hide and Seek

Red Rover

Ultimate Frisbee

Sardines

Four Square

FE Most Popular Slideshow

An Age-by-Age Guide to Teaching Kids About "The Birds & The Bees"

12 Simple Developmental Activities to Play with Your Baby

Top 10 Graduation Gifts

8 Printable Thank-You Cards for Teacher Appreciation Week

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