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Playground Games for Five Year Old

Posted by in Recreation: Games  ~  March 23, 2012 02:31:54 AM

Trying to find the right playground games for five year old can be quite the challenge. Many typical playground games are still too dangerous for the five year old, and yet they are energetic and ready to get out and play! Fortunately, there are some wonderful playground games for five year old that are still safe enough, and will satisfy their needs to play.

Red Light, Green Light

This is a classic five year old game that will be sure to keep them having a blast. The game is rather simple so the average five year old can certainly understand the rules. Line up the group outdoors and have them race to a specific location. When you say “red light” they stop, and when you say “green light” they go. For added fun, you can make “yellow light” a slow motion addition.

Hot and Cold

Hot and cold is a rather easy game that most five year old love, especially on the playground. This game is pretty much a reason to have an Easter egg hunt anytime. Simply take a toy they like, and hide it outside on the playground. Then have them look for it with you providing direction by saying hotter or colder. This is also great for their learning as well.

Freeze Tag

This is a variation on the old fashioned game of tag. The difference is that you have teams. One team is “It” while the other team tries to run away. Set specific game boundaries, and then when someone is tagged by the other team, they must freeze. If someone on their own team tags them again, then they unfreeze and rejoin the game. This is great fun and ends when the game has all of one team frozen.

Marco Polo

Just because you are not in the water does not mean that you can not enjoy Marco Polo! Have the little ones take turns putting on blindfolds (with your supervision of course) and playing this fun game. The person with the blindfold on calls out “Marco” and those he is trying to tag call out “Polo” in unison. Keep the playing area small to make this easier. Some people limit the number of steps that one can take per call out.

Leap Frog

Though simple in nature, it is still great fun for groups of three or more. Simply take turns hopping over the line. This game is fun for everyone and nobody gets hurt. That is a win for the Parents of five year old.

Soccer

While this is really a sport, it is still the perfect playground game for any five years old. Kicking a ball into a net is a great way to practice coordination, and it is a wonderful form of exercise. Look into getting a soccer net and ball, and you will have hours of fun for your five year old.