40 Classic Outdoor Games for Kids: Backyard Games, Playground Games, and More

Jump rope solo, skip with siblings, or round up the whole gang for double dutch.

It's hard to beat classic outdoor games for kids when it comes time to entertain them during the long school-free summer months, at birthday parties, or when they've spent too much time on screens. From hide-and-seek to ghost in the graveyard, these outdoor games are sure to keep your crew, and whichever neighborhood kids stop by, busy for hours. Best of all, you can play almost all of these playground and backyard games listed below without spending any money. Time to  load up the sunscreen, head outdoors, and play!

If you don't mind getting wet, check out these Favorite Water Games to Play With Kids, and keep the party going in the great outdoors with one of the activities from our Guide to Outdoor Activities for Kids.

Rodeo, Duck Race, Pineapple Festival, and More Fun Things to Do in Orlando This Weekend With Kids

Celebrate Endangered Species Day at the Florida Zoo this weekend. Photo by the author

Looking for the best things to do in Orlando this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list!

The rodeo is coming to town this weekend! Visit Osceola Heritage Park for the annual Silver Spurs Rodeo this Friday and Saturday. On Saturday, catch the excitement of hundreds of rubber ducks racing around the lazy river at Island H2O Water Park's Duck Race, or savor the flavors of Puerto Rico at Lake Nona's Pineapple Festival. There's even more fun in store—read on to discover all the exciting events happening this weekend!

Spring Festivals, Outdoor Movies, and More Things To Do in Chicago This Weekend with Kids

Outdoor movie night photo courtesy of Canva

Looking for the best things to do in Chicago this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend!

It's time for that one perfect spring weekend in Chicago! And, things to do in Chicago match the weather with the Cantigny Spring Fest in Wheaton, What's Blooming on Harrison in Oak Park, and Parkway Bank Park's Spring Fun Festival in Rosemont. Auto-obsessed kids will love the Touch-a-Truck event in Oakbrook Terrace, and Wheeling's Bark in the Park is where everyone, including your furry friends, can enjoy the great weather. Outdoor movies also make their debut this weekend in Oak Park and Bensenville.

This is a great time to make plans for spring and summer plans in Chicago. Check out the full line-up of spring festivals; look at the city from above at Navy Pier's new Flyover experience, or plan a summer trip to the Bristol Renaissance Faire

Have a great spring weekend in Chicago!

Butterfly Festival, Free Outdoor Movies, and More Things to Do this Weekend in Atlanta with Kids

Play to your hearts content at the Kids to Parks Day in Dunwoody. Photo by the author

Looking for the best things to do in Atlanta this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend! 

School's out for summer and that means great Atlanta events, like FREE outdoor movies, including Lawrenceville Movie Club on Friday and Peachtree Corners' Flicks on the Green on Saturday. The first weekend of June in Atlanta always means the popular Chattahoochee Nature Center Butterfly Festival, where visitors can get close to the beautiful creatures on Saturday and Sunday. Read on for more fun ideas to make the most of the start of summer! 

AAPI Festivals, Woofstock, and More Fun Things To Do in San Francisco This Weekend

Ring in the 100th anniversary of the Giant Dipper! Photo by Jeremy Thompson via Flickr CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Looking for the best things to do in San Francisco and the Bay Area this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list. ​

Summer is near and summer fairs are here! Check out the San Mateo County Fair opening this weekend and the popular SJMade Fest in San Jose. Pride month is celebrated with Filoli Pride in Woodside and Family Pride Day in Santa Cruz.

Read on for more of our top picks for the weekend, which include delicious cherries, books, sand castle contests, and so much more!

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