Old-School Backyard Games for a Retro-Inspired Screen-Free Summer
These retro games 0s and 90s kids loved are perfect for a screen-free summer! Image credit: Shutterstock/Studio Romantic
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For most of us 80s and 90s kids, we remember spending our summers outdoors… all day until the streetlights came on or until we got called in for dinner. Things are different now, and parents don’t feel safe letting their kids run around free range (rightfully so). But, there are some ways to capture some of that magic for your kids.
Make it a screen-free summer (as much as possible) with old school games like we used to play back in the day. Here’s a roundup of retro outdoor games even today’s kids are sure to love. Set up the kids to play on a day when there are no activities planned or use them to bring some old school fun to backyard parties and barbecues. No apps. No batteries. No Wi-Fi. Just old-fashioned fun that doesn’t disappoint!
Freeze Tag
If you don’t remember freeze tag, here’s a refresher course. One person starts out as “it” during the game, and anyone they tag has to freeze in place. They stay frozen until a free player tags them to unfreeze them. You can put a time limit on how long each “it” person has, or their turn can end when an unfrozen player tags them (taking over the role in the process).
This game is great for groups of kids, but it’s also fun for parents to join in too. The best part is that you can play with as few as 3 people.
Red Rover
Two teams, two lines, and one kid running full speed at a chain of linked hands. Red Rover might sound like instant chaos, but it’s chaotic good fun! Someone from Team A calls “Red Rover, Red Rover! Send [insert name of person from Team B] Over!” That person then runs at Team A, trying to break the chain of arms. If they make it through, they pick two people from Team A to take back with them. After that, it’s Team B’s turn to call someone over.
Some people will get catapulted backwards, some people will break the line. Everyone will have a good time. The game ends when one team has captured everyone from the opposing team.
Kick the Can
This is the one your kids have almost certainly never heard of, so this is your chance to show them something new. It's part tag, part hide and seek, with a can (or a dodgeball, either one works) placed in the center of the yard or driveway as home base. If you’re playing on pavement, draw a large circle around the can to create the border for the base. Designate one person as “it,” and have them count down from 20 while everyone else hides.
The person who is "it" has to find and tag everyone before someone sneaks back to kick the can and free all the captured players. It takes more strategy than a simple game of tag, but the fun will have everyone wanting to play over and over again.
Capture the Flag
Capture the flag is one of the most versatile outdoor games because it can be played by just 2 kids or everyone in the neighborhood. Split everyone into two teams, each defending their flag while trying to steal the other team's flag. Simple bandanas are all that are needed, but you can use hand towels or even (preferably clean) socks in a pinch. Each team has to hide flags on their half of the yard.
When the game starts, each team has to try to invade the other team’s territory without getting tagged to capture the flags. Getting tagged means you’re out until a free teammate tags you back in. The game ends when all the flags are captured. This is a great choice for teens and tweens who don’t want to feel like they’re playing a “little kid” game.
Four Square
Anyone who remembers recess in the 80s remembers playing Four Square. Some school still have the lines painted on their playgrounds, but it’s not the go-to game it used to be. To play it at home, you just need sidewalk chalk and a dodgeball/playground ball. Draw a large square with a plus sign in the middle (this creates four individual squares, just like the name of the game.
The object is to bounce the ball between players and to land the ball in other people’s squares without letting it bounce into yours. There are various other rules depending on how you play (such as being eliminated if you bounce the ball outside of the squares completely). But, the rules are pretty flexible. This game is intended for four players, so it’s a great option for playdates (or starting a pickup game at the playground with other kids).
Hula Hoop Contest
Hula hoops are just plain fun. And they’re harder than they look, so it’s a great chance for the kids to giggle at the adults! Have a contest to see who can hula hoop for the longest or use them to set up an obstacle course in the yard. There really are no rules to follow, and classic hula hoops can inspire lots of creative ways to play. Just be sure to have several on hand, and if you’re having a nighttime party, consider grabbing a few that light up for even more screen-free summer fun!
Tug of War
There’s a chance your kids have played a version of Tug of War at school, but have they ever played against their parents, aunts, and uncles? It’s a true challenge that comes with some serious bragging rights. Traditional Tug of War is simple, but you can make it even more challenging by setting a sprinkler to rain down over the center of the yard (in No Man’s Land). A little bit of mud and a little mess won’t hurt anyone, plus even the losing team gets to cool off on a hot summer day. Use one of the bandanas from capture the flag to mark the true center of the rope so you can declare a clear victor in the match.
Sack Race
Sack races are as silly as they are fun! Everyone climbs into a burlap sack and hops to the finish line, which is never as easy as it sounds. It might seem like a race to the finish, but it’s really just a race to see who doesn’t fall down. Make sure you have enough sacks for everyone at the party (bulk packs of sack race sacks are surprisingly affordable, and they’ll get used all summer long).
Slip N Slide Race
A slip n slide race is a perfect way to stay cool on a summer day, and it gives kids a fun challenge too! Set up two side-by-side to create the racecourse. You can also save money by purchasing a two-lane version (this two-lane slip n slide comes highly reviewed). They should be placed on soft grass, but adding yoga mats or interlocking foam play mats underneath creates an extra layer of cushion for safety. Turn on the water from the hose to set the scene, and let the kids have at it. For parties, you can group kids by age, but don’t discount races with parents versus kids for even more excitement!
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Horseshoes Toss
Horseshoes is the game the adults at every 80s and 90s cookout were playing while the kids ran around the yard, and it’s still a classic today. You can find kid-friendly horseshoe toss sets (real horseshoes might be a little dangerous by today’s standards). It’s really just a carnival game you set up in your backyard. It’s great for younger kids because, as we all know, close counts in horseshoes. They don’t have to make a perfect throw to score some points.
Flashlight Tag
Flashlight tag is the ultimate game for nighttime. It works the same as regular tag with one exception: the person who is “it” shines their flashlight on each person they want to tag. Essentially, everyone else is just playing hide-and-seek in the dark. You can mix things up by giving everyone a flashlight and letting the kids who are hiding send “hints” about where they are with quick beams of light. Add another layer of difficulty by passing out glowstick bracelets to everyone playing. The glowsticks make it easier for people to be found, but it also makes everything a little more exciting too.
The Screen-Free Summer Shopping List
You don’t need to buy a lot of supplies for these games, but there are a few essentials to consider picking up for the summer.
Sidewalk chalk: essential for four-square and hopscotch, but also great for just spending some time drawing outside.
Hula Hoops: Always great to have on hand for parties and warm days outside. Simply hang them on hooks in the garage when not in use to prevent bending and cracking.
Sack Race Sacks: Perfect for family parties and picnics, and they can also be used for a range of other activities too.
Playground Balls: Dodgeballs or simple inflatable playground balls offer unlimited possibilities, from foursquare to kickball and so many other classic summertime games.
Slip-n-Slides: Use them for races or just for keeping the kids cool on hot summer days.
Horseshoe Set: Kid-friendly horseshoe sets are great to set up for parties, and adults are sure to join in on the fun too.
Rope for Tug of War: You can buy rope specifically made for tug-of-war contests, so there’s no guesswork required for the length. Some have flags in the center, so there’s nothing to set up, and others have built-in hoops at the ends for the anchors on each team.
Extra Flashlights: You don’t want to waste the battery life for flashlights you keep on hand for emergencies, so consider investing in a few extras to keep handy for flashlight tag.
Bandanas: Bandanas are essential for playing capture the flag, and they’re also great for marking the center of your rope for tug-of-war. Plus, they’re always handy for other outdoor games, including birthday party pinatas or pin the tail on the donkey.
The Beauty of Retro Outdoor Games for a Screen-Free Summer
These games are perfect for kids of all ages, from toddlers to teens. You can adapt any of them (and simply abandon some of the rules for the youngest players). They’re great for beating boredom, and they’re also all perfect for keeping kids entertained at summer parties and backyard barbecues. And there are many more to consider that we haven’t even covered, like double-Dutch and hopscotch. Just think back to the games you played when you were a kid and bring some of that Gen X/Millennial fun to a new generation!
