Bank holidays offer a great respite from the demands of work and school, and the long weekend allows the opportunity to visit family or take a trip somewhere. But if you’re stuck at home this year never fear, there are plenty of fun games you can play in the comfort of your own back garden. Here are some garden games for the bank holiday that you can play to make the most of the sunshine.
Hide & Seek
Hide and seek is a simple fun game that you can play in the garden on a sunny afternoon without having to purchase any additional equipment. Typically, one person closes their eyes and counts to a specified number, and other players must hide and the other person must then try and find them. There is also a variation called “Kick The Can” where unfound players can kick a can placed in the middle of the garden to free captured players.
Blind Man’s Bluff
Originating from Tudor and Victorian England, Blind Man’s Bluff is a fun variation of “tag”. One player wears a blindfold and must try and tag the other players. If another player is tagged, they then become “it” and must try and tag the others. Make sure to play this game in a clear area free of obstructions and hazards to ensure safety.
Giant Chess
Think chess is a game reserved for rainy days indoors? Think again. Our Giant Garden Chess Set can take the game to a whole new level. Playing chess offers some surprising benefits, including improving problem-solving skills, focus, and memory, and even helping to prevent Alzheimer’s disease. The giant chess pieces add a fun, dynamic element to the game, and you can enjoy the benefits while making the most of the sunny weather.
Rounders
A playground favourite, rounders is a game that provides fun for all the family. This simple game requires a bat, ball, and four bases, and team members take it in turns to hit the ball then aim to run around the four posts and score a “rounder” before the opposing retrieves the ball and throws it back to the bowler. It is a fantastic form of aerobic exercise and interval training, and can also help develop hand-eye coordination. The Muddy Puddle Traditional Wooden Rounders Set has everything you need to play the game in a handy string bag.
Swingball
Swingball is a simple yet fun activity that can provide hours of entertainment on a sunny day. The game consists of a portable pole where a ball attached to a string swings around, and players must bat the ball to keep it swinging in their direction until it reaches their end of the swinging track on the top of the pole. The Mookie All Surface Lite Swingball Set can be used on all surfaces. Just be careful of the swinging ball!
Frisbee
An old-school classic, a frisbee can provide fun for all the family on summer days- including dogs! A highly versatile activity, you can play a simple throw and catch game, see who can throw the frisbee the furthest, play “piggy in the middle” or a whole host of team games. The Aerobie Pro Flying Ring by Smyth’s Toys is an aerodynamic design that was allegedly used to set the Guiness World Record for the farthest frisbee throw.
Parachute Games
A parachute can provide an afternoon of fun for all the family. People typically stand around the edges, holding onto the handles, but there are a whole host of games you can play, that can include ruffling the parachute, one person sitting in the middle, or creating a bubble of air that allows everyone to sit inside. These games encourage co-operative play while building upper body strength. The Newitts Play Parachute comes in various sizes and rainbow colours.
What games are you playing in your garden this bank holiday? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.