Make the most of time spent outside with these fun game ideas 

<p>Getting outside to enjoy some fresh air and sunshine is the highlight of the day for many, at the moment. And if you're lucky enough to live close to a lush bit of green space, all the better!</p><p>Kids need a daily run around to burn off energy, so we've listed our favourite fun games to keep them occupied in the great outdoors...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="games-to-play-summer-days-out-web-2__square" class="ci-image ci-square" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/games-to-play-summer-days-out-web-2__square_GL?scl=1"></p><h2>do some cloud spotting</h2><p>If you're having some down-time between activities but the kids still need entertaining, give cloud spotting a go. This is a great activity if you're sitting eating lunch outdoors, or just lying in some grass. Turn your heads to the sky, take a look at the clouds and take it in turns to ‘spot&rsquo; different animals and other shapes. What can you see?</p><p>You can also have a go at identifying different cloud types. There are three main ones - <a href="https://asda.gl/cloudspotting" target="_blank">take a look at our activity sheet (click to download)</a> to learn all about them before your next adventure.</p><h2>Play 'would you rather...?'</h2><p>Out on a long walk? This game is sure to raise a giggle or two. Ask questions such as ‘Would you rather be a rabbit-sized horse or a horse-sized rabbit?&rsquo;. Take turns to offer other players the choice between two options &ndash; the stranger or funnier the suggestions, the better &ndash; and see which they pick! Kids will love coming up with gross or gory predicaments for the grown-ups. Don't know where to start? <a href="http://asda.gl/wouldyourather" target="_blank">Here are a few suggestions... (click to download).</a></p><h2>Make daisy crowns</h2><p>Find yourself in a field with plenty of daisies? Why not try making daisy crowns! Try making hats, necklaces, rings or bracelets. You could also have a competition to see who can make the longest chain in 15 minutes.</p><h2>Play poohsticks </h2><p>If you&rsquo;re near a stream with a footbridge, play a game of Poohsticks. Invented by Winnie the Pooh and Piglet in A.A. Milne's classic kids' book, this simple game is great for all ages.</p><p>On the word ‘go&rsquo;, each player throws a twig into the water from the upstream side of the bridge, then everyone runs to the other side to see whose stick floats out from underneath it first. Who&rsquo;ll be the champion?</p><p>It may sound simple, but players will quickly get a knack for which sticks are better 'Poohsticks' than others, so expect kids to get increasingly competitive!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="kids-looking-in-water__square" class="ci-image ci-square" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/kids-looking-in-water__square_GL?scl=1"></p><h2>Make a grass whistle</h2><p>Although simple in theory, there's a lot of work that goes into making the perfect grass whistle - finding the perfect blade of grass is just the beginning. Then, <a href="http://asda.gl/grasswhistle" target="_blank">you've got to master the technique... Click here to download our handy help sheet.</a></p><p>Kids will be thrilled once they've nailed the skill - if you've got a couple of music maestros on your hands, you could even encourage them to write a grass song, or form a grass orchestra!</p><h2>Take a memory challenge </h2><p>One of you begins by saying ‘I&rsquo;m going on an adventure and I&rsquo;ve seen…&rsquo; followed by something you&rsquo;ve already spotted on your day out. The next player has to repeat the same sentence, remembering that item and adding their own thing afterwards. As the list gets longer and longer, each player's memory will be more and more tested. Anyone who gets it wrong or pauses for too long is out!</p><h2>Spot trees </h2><p>You're bound to see some beautiful plants while out on your nature walk - why not take photos on your smartphone of the different trees and flowers you spot. What are their leaves like? How tall are they? Then look them up when you get home so you can learn about your local hedgerows and what makes them special.</p><p>Not sure where to start? <a href="http://asda.gl/naturetreespotting" target="_blank">Take a look at our handy help sheet (click to download)</a> that explains how to identify five common British hedgerow trees.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="young-kids-on-trail__square" class="ci-image ci-square" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/young-kids-on-trail__square_GL?scl=1"></p><h2>Make a collage</h2><p>With all of this fun to be had, why not make something that you'll remember your summer by?</p><p>Scavenge for twigs, leaves, flowers and more, then take them home and make them into a lovely woodland-themed collage you can remember the day by. Brilliant!</p><h2>Hunt for treasure </h2><p>If you're popping out for a walk, make it a treasure trail!</p><p>Have an adult go on ahead to hide golden chocolate coins along the walk as treats for eagle-eyed kids to find. Remember to count the number of coins as they go down so that you can check you aren't leaving any behind or missing any on the way back. Remember: chocolate isn't good for lots of different animals - especially dogs.</p><h2>Hide and seek</h2><p>You can&rsquo;t go wrong with a game of hide and seek… Trees and bushes make great places to hide but watch out for your shadow &ndash; it could give you away!</p><h2>Look around for bushwalk bingo</h2><p>A good game for kids that are likely to storm off ahead, encourage them to take time to look at their surroundings by playing a game of bushwalk bingo.</p><p>Give each child a pencil and <a href="http://asda.gl/trailsbingo" target="_blank">a ‘bingo card&rsquo; (click to download)</a> when you set off on your walk, with a list of 10 things that you&rsquo;re likely to see, such as a butterfly, foxglove, oak tree and feather. The first child to tick off everything on their card is the winner. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="summer-games-days-out-web__square" class="ci-image ci-square" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/summer-games-days-out-web__square_GL?scl=1"></p><h2>Play 'catch the colour'</h2><p>This is a great scavenger hunt-style game to play in a big family.</p><p>Get an adult to call out a colour, then everyone has to run off and find something that colour. The last person to come back is out of the game. Keep going until you have a winner! The key is to make it harder as the game goes on, so start with easy nature colours like green and yellow, then end with harder colours like blue and pink.</p><h2>Sing songs and tell stories </h2><p>Have a garden? This game is perfect for you… You don't need a campfire, just a comfy spot to throw down a rug or two. Then get creative, sing some songs and tell stories. Think of it a bit like a traditional ‘campfire&rsquo; activity &ndash; but without the camping or the fire! And if one of you happens to play the guitar, that's even better. Need some campfire songs to get you started? <a href="https://thefifth.org.uk/links/campfire-songbook/" target="_blank">Check out this list here.</a></p><h2>Go on a bug hunt </h2><p>Lift a stone or log and see what creepy crawlies lurk underneath &ndash; a magnifying glass may help. Count their legs, chat about what you think they eat and sketch them down. Then gently put the stone or log back in its place when you&rsquo;re done.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="kids_looking_at_leaves__square" class="ci-image ci-square" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/kids_looking_at_leaves__square_GL?scl=1"></p><h2>Take leaf & bark rubbings</h2><p>Pack a few crayons and some paper to try your hand at leaf and bark rubbing. It's simple - place a sheet of paper over your chosen leaf or against a tree trunk or branch, then rub with a crayon to leave a pretty nature print. You can compare the textures of different barks and the outlines of different leaves to help you learn more about the plants.</p><h2>Play 'who said that?!'</h2><p>One person closes their eyes or covers them with a blindfold, and the rest of the family has to decide on one person to make an animal call. The nominated person then has to guess who made the noise. If they get it right, they keep being the blind-folded player. If they get it wrong, it's the next player's turn.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="kids-crossing-river__square" class="ci-image ci-square" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/kids-crossing-river__square_GL?scl=1"><span style="font-family: Frontage-Regular; font-size: 1.25rem; letter-spacing: -3px; text-transform: uppercase;">!</span></p><h2>The Quiet game </h2><p>This is the trump card for restoring peace to a gaggle of squabbling kids! Whoever can stay quiet for the longest is the winner. You&rsquo;re welcome.</p><p><em>Planning your next family day out? Find everything you need <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/" target="_blank">online</a> or on <a href="https://storelocator.asda.com/#!/" target="_blank">in store</a>.</em></p><p> </p><p><strong><em>Words by Samantha Wood </em></strong></p>

The best outdoor games for Summer

By Asda Good Living,7th March 2020

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