Fitness

5 Fun Outdoor Games For Fitness

Outdoor Fitness Games

 

Back in the day (the 80’s and early 90’s) fun time consisted of lots of outdoor games, hanging on the stoop (NYC girl here) and laughing with friends. Yes I’m telling my age! Just think about your childhood days and how much fun you had playing outside. . The point it to have fun while burning calories. Now that I have children, sometimes the only exercise I get in is while playing games with them so we head outside and make it happen. Getting outside is one of the best ways I’ve been able to get back to my fitness goals. I still have a long way to go but I am feeling better about juggling it all and not forgetting to take care of myself.  It takes time to get in a routine and sometimes I just want to workout alone but playing games while burning calories is fun for my kids and fun for me too. It’s not often people associate a workout with having fun but moms know how to make anything fun. There are lots of games to choose from, but here are my top 5 outdoor games you can play with family, friends or with your kids and their friends.

Outdoor Games For Fitness

1. Double Dutch

Let me tell you the battles were epic on a hot summer day in Brooklyn. A double   Dutch competition is sure to leave you sweaty and the calorie burn is out of this world. If you can’t jump double ditch don’t worry, single jumping works too although you may get a side eye.

2. Hopscotch

That’s right mamas, whip out the side walk chalk, draw a big hopscotch board and get to it. There are multiple ways of playing hopscotch. Try it on one leg!

3. Red Light Green Light

One to three, the goal is to not get caught moving when the target turns around. Fastest one wins the race.

4. Simon Says

Simon says do this, do this, do this. What? Simon says touch your head? Simon says touch your toes? Hop on one leg… Your out! The kids will love to get you out.

5. Tag

Tag, your it. You can play tag the traditional way which is if you tag a runner they become it or the freeze tag way… If you get tagged you freeze. The last person remaining untagged is the winner.   

What’s your favorite childhood game you would bring back for a great workout and old school fun? Stay tuned for a double dutch video. It’s time I dust off these old kicks and old bones. Pray for me! 

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10 Comments

  • Reply
    Skye
    September 15, 2014 at 10:06 AM

    I never understood the rules for hopscotch!

    • Reply
      M J
      September 15, 2014 at 4:24 PM

      You can make the rules up. 1 leg, skip every odd or even number, go backwards, fastest person. You name it.

  • Reply
    FabEllis
    September 15, 2014 at 4:00 PM

    I just had instant nostalgia. Yes! I loved Red Light, Green Light. So awesome!

    • Reply
      M J
      September 15, 2014 at 4:23 PM

      Those were the best times. I’m going to have a double Dutch challenge with my family! That video footage should be interesting. Have the paramedics on standby. LOL

  • Reply
    Vee
    September 15, 2014 at 5:41 PM

    I remember all of those all too well. lol. I’m telling my age too. I can’t wait for the video 😛

    • Reply
      M J
      September 15, 2014 at 5:44 PM

      Great times! Now after that video, I’m sure I will need an ice pack and Bengay. LOL

  • Reply
    Kita
    September 15, 2014 at 10:20 PM

    The good old days these kids don’t know anything about these games these days. I have to practically drag mine outside and they only stay for about 30 min before the complaints begin.

    • Reply
      M J
      September 15, 2014 at 10:33 PM

      These kids have no idea how much fun they are missing. Good old days.

  • Reply
    Yulunda G.
    September 26, 2014 at 9:46 PM

    OMG MJ! You nailed it on the head as I loved these games when I was a child. YES!

    Can I say if I had a hopscotch that looked like that when growing up, my mother would have had to pull me inside by one of my pigtails.

    I also enjoyed Hide, Freeze tag & Seek and Jumping Jacks.

    Thanks for taking me back down memory lane AND giving me a fun way of exercising, getting the kids outside and enjoying the little things in life.

    Yulunda

    • Reply
      M J
      October 8, 2014 at 3:18 PM

      Thanks Yulunda. I miss our version of childhood. Hoping to get my girls to enjoy the games I did when I was younger.

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