8 Creative Games to Play with Your Kids in the Backyard

Backyard Fun, Kiwi Style

New Zealand’s natural beauty is world-renowned, but sometimes the best adventures happen right in your own backyard. Whether you’ve got a sprawling garden or a cosy patch of lawn, your backyard is the perfect place for kids to explore, play, and let their imaginations run wild.

As the weather gets a bit colder, resist the urge to grab those tablets and make the most of the outdoors. We’ve rounded up 8 creative outdoor games that are simple, fun, and perfect for keeping your kids entertained. So, gather your tamariki, grab some gear, and let the backyard adventures begin!

1. Kiwi Scavenger Hunt

Turn your backyard, or local area, into a treasure trove of natural wonders with a scavenger hunt tailored to what your kids will find interesting.

How to Play:

• Create a list of items for your kids to find, like a fern frond, a feather, a small rock, or a flower.
• Add fun challenges like “find something that smells sweet” or “spot a bird and describe its colours.”
• Set a timer and let them race to collect as many items as they can.

Why Caresies Loves it: This game encourages kids to explore nature and sparks their curiosity about the environment around them.

2. Backyard Rugby Touch

What’s more Kiwi than a bit of backyard rugby? Keep it light and fun with a game of touch rugby.

How to Play:

• Use a soft rugby ball and mark out the “goal lines” with cones, shoes, or sticks.
• Divide into teams and take turns passing, running, and scoring.
• Simplify the rules for younger kids to ensure everyone has a go.

Why Caresies Loves it: It’s active, quintessentially kiwi, and a great way to burn off energy.

3. DIY Obstacle Course

Create a backyard adventure park with an obstacle course built from everyday items.

How to Set It Up:

• Use buckets, ropes, chairs, and hula hoops to set up challenges.
• Ideas include crawling under a chair, hopping through hoops, or balancing on a rope.
• Time each run and let the kids compete to beat their personal bests.

Why Caresies Loves it: This game combines physical activity with problem-solving, and you can tailor it to suit the space and your child’s abilities.

4. Water Balloon Volleyball

Perfect for hot summer days, this twist on volleyball uses water balloons for added fun.

How to Play:

• Pair up players and give each pair a towel to use as a net.
• Toss water balloons back and forth, trying to catch them in the towel.
• If the balloon bursts, the opposing team scores a point.

Why Caresies Loves it: It’s hilarious, refreshing, and perfect for cooling down on warm Kiwi afternoons (or what's left of them!).

5. Backyard Camping Adventure

Bring the magic of the great outdoors to your backyard with a mini camping trip.

What You’ll Need:

• A tent or a makeshift one using sheets and poles.
• Sleeping bags or cushions.
• A torch for “campfire” stories.

Activities to Include:

• Stargazing and spotting constellations in New Zealand’s southern skies.
• Toasting marshmallows over a BBQ or outdoor firepit (if safe to do so).
• Sharing classic family tales.

Why Caresies Loves it: Backyard camping is an adventure without the logistics of travelling plus, the house is just a few steps away!

6. Māori-Inspired Poi Game

Introduce your kids to poi by making your own poi and learning some simple moves.

How to Play:

• Make DIY poi with small plastic bags filled with scrunched paper or foam balls, tied to strings.
• Practice swinging them in patterns or try basic Māori poi moves.
• Turn it into a game by challenging the kids to see who can swing their poi in a circle the longest.

Why Caresies Loves it: This activity introduces tamariki to Māori culture in a hands-on and fun way while building coordination skills.

7. Backyard Bug Safari

Transform your backyard into a tiny wildlife safari with this bug-hunting adventure.

How to Play:

• Give each child a magnifying glass and a notebook.
• Encourage them to explore the garden and document the bugs they find - worms, ladybugs, spiders, or ants.
• For older kids, add a challenge to identify the species or draw what they see.

Why Caresies Loves it: It fosters a love for nature and science while keeping kids engaged and curious about the world around them.

8. Kiwi Backyard Olympics

Host your own version of the Olympics with fun events that test speed, strength, and skill.

Events to Include:

• Egg-and-spoon race.
• Sack race using old pillowcases.
• Mini hurdles with shoeboxes or small logs.
• Long jump measured with a tape or chalk marks.

Why Caresies Loves it: It’s competitive, exciting, and an excellent way to encourage active play and teamwork.

Caresies Tips for Backyard Adventures

1. Embrace Mess: Outdoor games can get messy, and that’s part of the fun! Keep wet wipes or a hose handy for easy clean-up.
2. Safety First: Check the backyard for hazards like sharp objects or low-hanging branches before starting any game.
3. Get Involved: Kids love it when parents join in the fun, so don’t be afraid to play alongside them.
4. Tailor to Ages: Modify the difficulty of games based on your children’s age and abilities to keep everyone engaged.

Unleash the Fun in Your Backyard

The beauty of backyard games is their simplicity - you don’t need fancy equipment or elaborate setups to create memorable moments with your kids. From scavenger hunts to water balloon volleyball, these activities bring fun, exercise, and creativity right to your doorstep.

So, grab the kids, head outside, and let your backyard become the stage for their next great adventure. Who knows? You might end up having just as much fun as they do!