8 Backyard Games for Kids to Burn Off Energy Outside

Some games just work better with actual space to move in. If you've got a backyard, a driveway, or even just a bit of grass, these 8 games make good use of it — built for running, chasing, and the kind of noise that's supposed to happen outside.

Games that use the whole yard

1. The Floor Is Lava. Outdoors, you get to use real stepping stones — pavers, hula hoops, or chalk circles — instead of pillows. Add the freeze twist for extra chaos.
2. Wacky Wardrobe Relay. A backyard is the ideal spot for this one — plenty of room for two teams to line up and race without knocking anything over indoors.
3. Sit, Stand, Lie Down. Works just as well on grass as it does inside, and outside means nobody has to worry about bumping furniture while scrambling to reposition.

Games for a big group spread across the yard

4. Charades. Outdoor charades gets a bit bigger and louder than the living-room version — perfect if you've got enough kids to split into proper teams.
5. Sleeping Beauty: The Freeze Spell. Bring a speaker outside, dance around the yard, and freeze on the spell — the extra space makes the dancing part way more fun.

Games for winding down once everyone's tired

6. Would You Rather. A good one for the shade once the running games have worn everyone out — no equipment, just sit on the grass and go.
7. Never Have I Ever. Works well sitting in a circle outside, especially as the sun starts going down and energy naturally drops.
8. Two Truths and a Lie. A calm way to close out a backyard afternoon before everyone heads inside.

Tips for backyard games with kids

• Check the yard for hazards first. Clear anything a running or blindfolded kid could trip on before starting anything active.
• Have water on hand. Active outdoor games in the sun burn through energy fast — build in breaks.
• Use natural landmarks as boundaries. A tree, a fence line, or a garden bed makes an easy "out of bounds" marker without needing extra setup.
• Save the quieter games for last. Ending on a calm, sit-down game makes it easier to wind the whole group down before heading back inside.