How to Play Outdoor Games With Kindergarteners

Five and six-year-olds are at a point where they still learn from play. Just because they begin traditional classroom learning doesn't mean they don't need help with cooperation, socialization and teamwork. Outdoor games can consist of traditional kickball, or get more creative by inventing your own outdoor games for kindergarteners. Just remember that kindergarteners still need games that are short and simple.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Plan the game rules and explain them thoroughly before you start the game. Make sure the kids know where they go and what they do if they're out of the game. Answer any questions the kids have before the game starts.

2. Choose traditional games kindergarteners can grasp easily. Simple outdoor games include kickball, catch, tether ball, outside bowling, bean bag toss and kicking a ball into a soccer net.

3. Invent games that reinforce classroom lessons. Kindergarteners enjoy going on color hunts, leaf hunts, scavenger hunts and bug hunts.

4. Provide outside art supplies for drawing and painting. Kids can draw a hopscotch board or marble shooting board and then play the games. Kindergarteners love playing games they create themselves.

5. Keep all planned games short and simple. Kindergarteners have short attention spans and can handle a few directions at a time.

6. Teach kindergarteners listening skills and following directions skills by making a game out of it. Have the kids line up and listen to your directions. Increase the speed in which you call out directions, and kids that can't keep up must sit out.