We grew up playing these amazing fun games and often reminisce about those fun times. So why not recreate them?
We live in a time where we are surrounded by screens all the time, during work or break time, scrolling through social media.
Social gatherings are one thing we should try to keep screens less, but you must have seen the invasion of technology there, too.
If you are hosting an event, organizing a large group retreat, or celebrating, you want to keep your guests entertained and interacting.
What better way to have fun than to play outdoor games with a twist for large groups?
Holding a party with many guests and having fun can get trickier.
Don’t you worry, we got your back 🙂
Fun Outdoor Games for Large Groups Ideas
1. Seven Stones/Lagori
This is one of the oldest and most popular games in India. The group must be divided into the seeker and the hitters’.
A member of the seekers throws a ball at a pile of seven stones.
The seekers need to restack the stones without getting hit by the ball hit by the hitters. Increase the excitement by introducing timers.
Each team has a set time to stack or knock down the stones, turning this traditional game into a thrilling race against the clock.
The simple requirement is that you need to have Seven flat stones. But worry not; they can be easily bought online or collected worldwide.
2. Tag
Most of you must have played tag at least once as kids, and maybe you call it something else.
The reason it is so popular is the simplicity of the game.
To play this game, more than two players are required (the more, the merrier).
One child is mutually chosen as “it,” who chases others to tag them (by tapping their shoulder or hand). The player tagged becomes the “it” now and tags others.
You can also transform the classic game of tag by having players wear humorous costumes.
The added challenge of running and tagging in quirky outfits brings a new level of fun and laughter to the game.
3. Chain Attack with Blindfolds
This is one of the top-rated games, and it is similar to tag.
To play Chain attack, one player must be chosen as a “Denner” (in some places, the “it” is called a Denner) and run to chase other players and tag them.
The tagged player now holds a hand with it and chases the others, and the third person is tagged, and then they also hold hands to form a chain.
It is continued till the last person in the group is caught.
In this twist, randomly blindfold one player in the chain, heightening the reliance on teamwork and communication.
This modification adds a sensory challenge, making the game more intriguing.
4. Monkey in the Middle with Two Balls
There are many versions of this game. In the simple version, two teams play catch and throw with a ball.
And one player in the middle belongs to none of the teams and is called the monkey.
If the monkey catches the ball, the one who throws the ball becomes the new monkey.
In another version, there is a group of people in the middle, and two players play catch and throw, avoiding losing the ball to the group in the middle.
Introduce a second ball into the game to keep players on their toes.
With two balls in play, the game’s pace and excitement double, requiring quick reflexes and strategy.
5. Kick the Can
This is an exciting game that both adults and children can play.
One person is designated as the “it” who places a can in the center of the field and waits for a decided amount of time.
Till then, the rest of the players hide. Then, the “it” tries to spot the hidden players while keeping an eye on the can.
If an untagged player kicks the can, they start all over.
Play this hide-and-seek variation at night using glow sticks or flashlights.
This twist adds an element of mystery and thrill as players navigate the darkness to find hiding spots or sneak up to kick the can.
6. Hopscotch
This is one of the most played games, and every child loves hopscotch, which is one common thing for every child from all generations.
One can draw the hopscotch grid and play or buy one from the market. The amount of fun remains unchanged.
Play this hide-and-seek variation at night using glow sticks or flashlights.
This twist adds an element of mystery and thrill as players navigate the darkness to find hiding spots or sneak up to kick the can.
7. Dodge ball
This game requires a massive group of people. For this game, the people hold hands and stand in a circle.
In the center of the circle, three people are trying to dodge a ball in which the people around them are aiming at them.
If the ball touches one of the players in the circle, they interchange positions with the player who threw the ball.
Make dodgeball more chaotic and fun by using multiple balls simultaneously.
This variation requires players to be even more alert and agile as they dodge, throw, and catch multiple balls.
8. Musical chair
This is a popular game at parties and most social gatherings.
This is how it goes: one person plays the music, and the others run around a set of chairs; the set has one less chair than the number of players.
When the music is paused, everyone except one person is seated. The player not seated is considered out.
Add a dance challenge to musical chairs. Players must quickly perform a predetermined dance move when the music stops before finding a chair.
This playful twist encourages creativity and ensures plenty of laughs.
9. Blindfold Tag
To play this game, the group must mutually decide one person to be “it,” who is blindfolded and tags others.
If an obstacle is in the way, other players must say “danger.” This game should be played in smaller and safer surroundings only.
Incorporate safe obstacles in the playing area for the blindfold tag. The ‘it’ player, while blindfolded, must navigate around these obstacles to tag others, relying on spatial awareness and careful movement.
10. Pass the Current
Suppose you are looking for a game that doesn’t involve much running.
One ‘it’ is chosen, and the rest of the players should be seated in a circle holding their hands (on their laps, which must be visible by the ‘it’).
The’ it’ then says, “Current pass from A person to B person,” then the players must pass the current from person A to B.
This happens through hand signaling via the middle person using gestures like tapping and pinching while still holding the hand, avoiding the ‘it.’
If the ‘it’ catches a moment, you are tagged.
Players use discreet, varied signals in this variation to pass the ‘current.’
These could include winks, nods, or foot taps, making it harder for the ‘it’ player to detect the current’s movement, thus adding an element of stealth and observation.
11. Freeze Tag
It is a fun version of tag where if the “it” tags you, you freeze, and the other non-tagged players can unfreeze you.
The game goes on until everyone is frozen.
Create designated ‘safe zones’ where players can’t be frozen. These zones are temporary havens but can only be used once by each player, adding a strategic component to the game.
12. Shadow Tag
The canonical tag is modified in which the ‘it’ has to tag a shadow of the person, and they become the new “it.”
Play shadow tag during twilight, when shadows are longer and more elusive.
This timing makes it trickier to tag shadows, adding a new layer of challenge and excitement.
13. Treasure Hunt
In this game, there are two teams, and each one gets a chance to hide a set of things and the other team has to find them with the help of clues—the team which finishes the fastest wins.
Enhance the classic treasure hunt with puzzles at each clue location.
These could range from simple jigsaws to riddles, requiring teams to assemble their heads to solve them before advancing to the next clue.
14. Hide and Seek
Another one of the classic children’s games.
Here is how it is played: one child is chosen as the seeker and waits briefly with his eyes closed, to give everyone time to hide.
Then, the seeker finds the hidden players individually, and the player found first becomes the seeker in the second round.
Assign themes for each hide-and-seek round, like ‘nature’ or ‘in plain sight.’
Hiders must find spots that fit the theme, adding a creative twist and making the search more challenging and interesting.
15. One-legged Tag
This game is called initially “Langdi.” The “it” hops on one leg to tag the other players. It can be entertaining even when adults try.
Incorporate a simple obstacle course that the ‘it’ player, hopping on one leg, must navigate while trying to tag others.
This adds a fun physical challenge to the game, testing balance and agility.
16. Kho – Kho
All the players must be seated at an equal distance, each person facing alternating directions.
The seeker has to tag one contestant, and the catch is the runners can “kho,” that is, pass on or nominate that person to now run while the seeker remains the same.
The runner has complete freedom of going clockwise or anticlockwise or from between the players. But the movements of the seeker are restricted.
If the seeker catches someone, they become the new seeker.
Periodically switch roles in Kho-Kho. The seeker becomes a runner and vice versa at random intervals.
This keeps players alert and adaptable, adding unpredictability to the game.
17. Color – Color
This is an excellent game for children who just learned the names of the colors. To play this game, one person is chosen as “Denner” to say the names of the colors.
Suppose they say blue; everyone has to rush and touch the color blue wherever they can spot it.
But you become the new dinner if the “Denner” catches you before touching the color.
Introduce false color calls where players must stay put instead of rushing to the color.
This tests attentiveness and reaction, as players must listen carefully and decide quickly whether to move.
18. Cricket
You must have seen cricket on TV. If you’re intrigued by this game, we recommend you try it.
You can modify the rules according to what is comfortable for you. If you don’t know the game well enough to try it, here is a video that can help.
Play cricket with equipment crafted from everyday items like a stick for a bat and a rolled-up sock for a ball.
This encourages creativity and can be especially fun and nostalgic.
19. Football
This is a game many teenagers are crazy about, but why not play with your friends, defining your own rules? No one is going to play the World Cup, right?
Then what stops you from having some fun?
Divide your group into two teams, decide the area-wise halves for each team, and set up goal posts (they don’t have to be actual goal posts).
Each team will pass the ball to the other and try to aim the ball towards the goalpost in the opposite team’s area. The team with the most goals wins.
Personalize football with your rules, like two-touch or mixed goals, where scoring in different ways earns different points.
This encourages creativity and levels the playing field, making it more inclusive and fun for everyone.
20. Tangle – Untangle/Solve the Knot
A group of players holding hands together, standing in a circle.
There is one chosen person to untangle who waits for a decided amount of time. Until then, the rest of the group who held hands tangled themselves into a small chunk where it was difficult to understand the loops.
Now, the person has to untangle the circular band, and the group must ensure they do not break the chain. If they do, they start again.
Add blindfolds to a few players in ‘Tangle-Untangle.’
Blindfolded players must rely on verbal instructions from teammates to untangle the human knot, adding an element of trust and communication.
21. Freeze Dance
This is for all those who need one excuse to start dancing.
Here is how to play, dance while the music plays, and freeze as it stops.
If one is caught moving while the music is paused, they are out (or, in some cases, punished with some fun dare), and one by one, all are out. The last one left wins.
In Freeze Dance, change music genres randomly. One moment it’s classical, next it’s hip-hop.
This keeps dancers on their toes, ready to switch their dance style instantaneously.
22. Red light – Green Light
It’s another one of the classic games. In this, one person from the group of people becomes a traffic light, and all the others start by standing at a distance in a straight line.
The traffic light turns around to say green light, and the other players start moving towards the traffic light.
As soon as the traffic light says red light, everyone has to stop, and if anyone is caught moving, they must start again.
Otherwise, the first one to tag the traffic light becomes the traffic light now.
When the ‘traffic light’ calls green light, players must move towards the finish line using humorous walks or movements, like hopping or walking backward, making the game more amusing and challenging.
23. Racing
Some groups love competitions heartily, and this idea is aimed at that group. But try to make it enjoyable by adding props or building a race around a particular theme.
Organize races around specific themes, like superhero sprints where participants dress as their favorite heroes.
This adds a fun, costumed element to the race and encourages creativity.
24. Relay Races
Relay races are fun team-building activities that one can enjoy outdoors in many groups.
It is a race where a team participates, and each one achieves parts of one whole task, lastly completing the whole, the fastest one wins.
Please find a list of the best variations in our other article.
Each leg of the relay race ends with a quick puzzle or brainteaser that the team must solve before the next runner can go.
This combines physical and mental challenges, making the race more holistic.
25. Never Have I Ever
It is where you get to know the secrets your friends have been keeping. Try this if you find yourself on a breezy evening around the bonfire; everyone gets seated in a circle with a beverage.
And suppose one person says, “Never have I ever peed in a pool,” everyone who has done it has to take a sip. And one by one, everyone has to participate.
When someone admits to the statement in ‘Never Have I Ever,’ they must share a quick, funny story. This encourages sharing and bonding among participants.
26. Badminton
We love to see it on our TVs, so why not give it a try? The basic structure is similar to other racket games if you don’t know the game.
A feathered shuttlecock needs to be swiftly hit toward the opponent using a racket. And the most important rule is not to let the shuttle fall on the ground. We warn you, it can get competitive.
Play badminton with gentle obstacles like balloons or streamers hanging over the net. This adds a whimsical and unpredictable element as players navigate these while playing.
27. Flying Disc/Frisbee
It is a simple game of catch and throws, but we assure you you will have a great time.
Set up various targets for players to aim the frisbee, scoring points for accuracy. This adds an aim-and-throw challenge, making it more engaging and competitive.
28. Tug of War
Almost everyone has played this game at one time or another; if you don’t know, don’t worry, it’s pretty easy to learn.
Two teams are pulling hard on a rope on two ends. The team that manages to pull the hardest wins.
Place water balloons on the rope at intervals. As the tug-of-war intensifies, the balloons might burst, adding an element of surprise and fun.
29. Pass and Pass
This is one of the go-to games for every social gathering.
Here is the drill: music is played, and the ball is passed. When the music stops, the person holding the ball has to participate in a fun dare given by the others.
While passing the ball, players might also pass secret missions or challenges written on slips of paper.
When the music stops, the player holding the ball must perform the challenge.
30. Jamming Battle
This one is for the music lovers who need a chance to start humming—one of the games that can be best played around a bonfire or setting.
Divide the group into two teams, and one team can start singing and jamming (better if you happen to have instruments).
The other team should, at any moment, pick a word and start singing a song with that word in it, and so on.
In Jamming Battle, music genres are switched unpredictably.
Teams must quickly adapt their song to match the new genre, testing their musical versatility and creativity.
31. Telephone
If you want to end up laughing the whole time, this is an excellent game: the more the players, the more fun.
Get seated in a circle, and anyone will start whispering a phrase to the person next to them.
They repeat it to the third person until the message is whispered to the first person, and he/she finally says it aloud.
Rules are simple: you can only use an unfamiliar or rare phrase, and a player can whisper only once (do not repeat).
When playing Telephone, each player must whisper the message in a different, random accent.
This adds a humorous and challenging twist to understanding and passing along the message correctly.
32. Lava and Land
Suppose you are with a group on land with patchy grass over it or grass that is partially wet or of different colors.
Decide one part and lava and one as land, if any player steps into lava, they lose or become the new “it”/” denner,” this being the basic concept.
You can build anything around it, a race, or play tag with lava and land.
Designate a player to control which areas are ‘lava’ and ‘land,’ changing them periodically.
This dynamic play keeps participants on their toes, constantly adapting to the changing ‘terrain.’
33. Cut the Apple/Thread the Needle
This is the last game on our list, but undoubtedly one of the best. This is similar to tag, but the catch is if the “it” is chasing some player and another player happens to pass between them.
They become the new “it.” And have to chase others. This game goes by different names everywhere. Another famous name is the thread in the needle.
Add an exciting twist to ‘Cut the Apple’ or ‘Thread the Needle’ by switching roles unexpectedly. If a player manages to ‘cut the apple’ or ‘thread the needle’, they become the new ‘it’.
This keeps everyone alert and ready to change roles at any moment, making the game more dynamic and unpredictable.
It’s a fun way to keep players engaged and on their toes, as they must be ready for sudden changes in their roles within the game.
Conclusion
In wrapping up, spicing up old outdoor games with new twists is a great way to make any group event more fun and memorable.
It’s not just about running around; these changes add a bit of thinking, teamwork, and lots of laughs. Picture playing tag in funny costumes or figuring out puzzles in a treasure hunt.
These small changes make the games fresh and exciting, and they’re perfect for everyone, from kids to adults.
So next time you’re planning a get-together, try these ideas.
You’ll see how they turn a simple game into something everyone will talk about long after it’s over.
It’s all about having a good time together, staying active, and creating those special moments we love.
And with that we conclude our list of fun outdoor games, we hope our recommendations were useful.
We suggest you try your own rules and experiment with our specific list.
