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Other physical activity options include various traditional or non-traditional games typically played for recreational purposes. I don't emphasis scoring so if you want to keep track of scores, watch or read the rules of each game (or make up your own scoring rules).
Rules:A player starts a point by serving the ball down onto the Spikeball net so it ricochets up at his opponents. The returning team has up to 3 hits between them (think bump, set, spike) to return the ball back onto the net. The rally continues until a team can't return the ball onto the net within their three touches.
Spikeball
Spikeball
Spikeball is a newer rallying game for 2-4 players in which players serve, set, and strike a ball into a net on the ground.
For full official rules, click here.
Don't have a Spikeball net? Simply 'rally battle' the same way you would with a net by creating a circle on the ground with a hula hoop or sidewalk chalk and a tennis ball.
Rules:Play consists of four players divided into teams of two. Members of the same team (partners) stand at opposite goals. This simply means partners stand at opposite ends of the court. Partners will alternate throwing and deflecting a flying disc.One partner throws the flying disc and, when necessary, the other partner redirects (deflects) it toward or into the goal. After both partners complete one throw each, the flying disc is passed to the opposing team. The thrower can score points with a direct hit to the goal or the deflector can score by deflecting the flying disc to hit or land inside the goal.
KanJam
KanJam
Kan Jam is a frisbee throwing game for 2-4 players in which you attempt to score by knocking a thrown frisbee into a bucket.
For full official rules, click here.
Don't have a Kan Jam set? Simply use wide mouth laundry buckets or cardboard boxes and a frisbee. Or create a space to knock the frisbee into with a hula hoop or sidewalk chalk.
Rules:Players take turns tossing a bean bag into their opponents cornhole board from 12-27 feet away.
Cornhole
Cornhole
Cornhole is an underhand tossing game in which 2-4 players toss a bean back into a hole of a cornhole board.
For full official rules, click here.
Don't have cornhole boards? If you are really ambitious, click here for DIY instructions or simply use 2 small cardboard boxes or buckets placed 12-27 feet apart and play the same rules.
Rules:Space the game ladders about 15 feet apart and start tossing your bolas. Each player tosses all 3 bolas, then the next player tosses all 3 bolas. The first one to 21 without going over is the winner! The top rung is worth 3 points, middle is 2 and bottom rung is 1 point.
Ladder Toss
Ladder Toss
Ladder Toss Golf is an underhand tossing game in which 2-4 player attempt to hook a bola on a 'ladder'.
For full official rules, click here.
Don't have a Ladder Toss Golf set? Make one using pipe, 2 different color golf balls, and paracord, see instructions here.
Rules:The game is played with two teams, with each team having one, two, or four players. Game play starts by tossing or rolling the pallina at least 10 feet away. For four player teams, each player throws one ball. For two player teams, each player throws two balls. For one player teams, each player throws four balls. When there are multiple players on a team, a playing rotation is determined at the start of a game and is maintained throughout the entire game.
Bocce
Bocce
Bocce is an underhand tossing or rolling game in which 2-8 players attempts to roll a ball closest to a target, aka the pallina.
For full official rules, click here.
Don't have a bocce set? Play in your kitchen (or other smooth floor surface) with bean bags; 1 individual bean bag for the pallina, and 2 sets of 4 bean bags of different colors. Slide the bean bags instead of tossing or rolling.
Rules:The disc may be advanced in any direction by completing a pass to a teammate. Players may not run with the disc. The person with the disc ("thrower") has ten seconds to throw the disc. The defender guarding the thrower ("marker") counts out the stall count.When a pass is not completed (e.g. out of bounds, drop, block, interception, stalled), the defense immediately takes possession of the disc and becomes the offense.
Ultimate Frisbee
Ultimate Frisbee
Ultimate Frisbee is a throwing game in which 2 teams of at least 7 players each attempt to score by throwing and catching a frisbee down a field (or backyard) and into their opponents end zone. (Family style uses at least 2 players on each side)
For full official rules, click here.
Don't have a frisbee? Play speedball style with a soccer ball or football.
Rules:Place the two circles on the ground about 35 feet apart. Stand behind the circle, holding the Jart by the handle in the palm of the hand. Toss at the other circle with UNDERHAND motion. Toss with high enough arc to let the Jart stand nearly upright when it strikes the ground.Red plays first in first round. In each subsequent round the player scoring the most points plays first. Players toss Jarts in ALTERNATE turns.
Jarts aka Lawn Darts
Jarts aka Lawn Darts
Jarts is an underhand tossing game in which 2-4 players attempts to toss a lawn dart into a designated space 35 feet apart.
For full official rules, click here.
Don't have a Jart set? Make your own lawn darts by placing bean bags into 2 different color clothes and tying them off. Be sure to keep the tail because that is the part you hold! Create 2 circles 35 feet apart by using hula hoops or drawing circles with sidewalk chalk.
Rules:Start at hoop 1. Each player takes turns kicking their ball one time in an attempt to clear it through each hoop. Goal is to be the person to clear all hoops. Don't stop until all players finish!
Foot Croquet
Foot Croquet
Foot Croquet is the same as traditional croquet but emphasis the skill of kicking. This fun version challenges 2- 6 players to kicking a ball through a hoop in the least amount of tries.
For full official traditional croquet rules, click here.
Make your Foot Croquet set by securing pool noodles to the ground with tent spikes. (for more sturdy hoops, line inside of noodles with cut hula hoops or flexible piping. Set up as many hoops as desired. Number each hoop with marker. Each player should have their own unique ball they can tell apart from others.
Rule Accommodation Ideas:
- Traditional - Catch before serving to another square. 2nd chances. Double bounce allowance.
- Kicking - Trapping ball before kicking. 2nd chances. Square partner who can kick every other ball that comes into the square. Double kicks allowed. Air kicks allowed.
- Volleying and Striking - Double hit allowance. Bounce allowance. 2 players per square with set # of hits inside square.
Four Square
Four Square
Four square is one of the most versatile games out there because you can use various object manipulation skills to play it. Players of at least 4 can play. Rules can be adjusted as needed to fit all players needs. Players who are out rotate back in.
Traditional - See video - Bounce ball into another players square before the ball double bounces or bounces out of your square otherwise you are out. Don't bounce the ball directly out of bounds either, that's an out too.
Kicking - Kick the ball into another players square before it rolls out of your square otherwise you are out. Don't directly air kick the ball out of bounds either, that's an out too.
Volleying (volleyball, beach ball or balloon) - Bump ball out of your square into another players square with your clamped closed fists before it hits the floor otherwise you are out. Don't bump the ball directly out of bounds either, that's an out too.
Striking with hand, racquet, or paddle (tennis ball, ping pong ball, balloon, beach ball, tightly rolled up paper) - Strike ball out of your square into another players square with your hand, racquet, or paddle before it hits the floor otherwise you are out. Don't strike the ball directly out of bounds either, that's an out too.
Create your Four Square court by taping off a four squares measuring 6x6 feet each. (Use sidewalk chalk for outside) Designate a King (or Queens) if you opt to rotate squares or number squares 1-4.
Rules:Each players' feet start or yellow and blue. Referee spins to spin board and calls out next move. Only one player is allowed to have a limb on a circle at a time. Have fun stretching and balancing without falling down!
Lawn Twister
Lawn Twister
Just like traditional twister but with an outside twist; all you need is a lawn and some spray paint.
For full official Twister rules, click here.
Don't have a spin board or don't want to make one? Players can take turns calling out a spot (i.e. Right Foot Green) Or, you can find lots of Twister spin board apps online (with parents permission, of course).
Rules:Players get 2 attempts to knock down all pins during their frame. Game alternates one player at a time until each frame is complete. Like in bowling, on the 10th frame, you have 3 chances if you get a strike or spare in the first 2 attempts.
Set up options:
Set up options:
- 10 pin bowling - Traditional
- 9 pin bowling
- 5 pin bowling
Fowling
Fowling
Fowling is a combination of football and bowling. Like bowling, the object of the game is to knock down the most pins in over 10 frames by throwing a football at the pins.
For full official rules, click here.
Don't have bowling pins at your house? Yeah, me either! :)) Make bowling pins out of empty 2 liter bottles; fill with a little water for added weight and a challenge in knocking the pins downs.
This set-up can be used to frisbee bowl as well!
Rules:Each player on a team throws once, trying to throw the ball into the other team’s buckets.If a ball goes into a bucket, then the bucket is removed.Re-racks, aka rearranging buckets, is allowed.
Bucketball
Bucketball
Similar to cup pong but suitable for people of all ages! 2-4 players overhand or underhand throw a ball to 1 of 6 buckets on their opponents side 15-25 feet away. If the ball lands in the bucket, take that bucket away!
For full official rules, click here.
Don't have a Bucketball set? Any size buckets and tennis balls work great!
Kickball
Kickball
Traditional kickball, just like baseball or softball.
For full official rules, click here.
Don't have bases? Try spray paint on the lawn or sidewalk chalk. Hula hoops make great bases too!
Rules:Start at designated spot approximately 20 feet from hole #1. Each player takes turns throwing their frisbee one time in an attempt to get it into the bucket. Continue this pattern until course is complete. Goal is to be the person with the least amount of throws.
Frolf (AKA Frisbee/Disc Golf)
Frolf (AKA Frisbee/Disc Golf)
Frolf aka frisbee or disc golf is a fun way to play golf. The object of the game is to get the least amount of throws into the bucket (just like traditional golf.
For full official rules, click here.
Don't have access to an official Frolf course? Make your own with laundry buckets or empty boxes. Number all your buckets or boxes. Set up course however desired with as many buckets as you wish.
Rules:Single players - Race from start to board and place 1 bean bag at a time, returning to start each round. Once all bean bags are placed, race back to start then back to board where you may move one piece at a time. Every time you want to move a piece, you must return to start before moving a piece. You may move your piece only to block opponent from getting tic-tac-toe or to help you get it. Continue this until someone gets tic-tac-toe. Team play is the same but players should line up and go in order.
Tic-Tac-Toe Relay
Tic-Tac-Toe Relay
Challenge someone to the best way to play tic-tac-toe! This can be played 1 vs 1 or in groups.
Set up your tic-tac-toe board with spray paint on the grass, using sidewalk chalk, or hula hoops as in the video. Starting line at least 25 feet away. Each team should have 3 bean bags all the same color (same color shirts or towels work as well).
The game is quick and you must use strategy but either way, be the first player or team to get tic-tac-toe!
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