Island Parent Pre-Summer 2023

PLAY
Play On!
Outdoor games for kids and families
Play is sacred.
Kids need more experiences and space for play to take
place. Play isn’t work but it does have many functions.
By design, play takes you to the edge. When kids roughhouse,
they learn about what they can and cannot do to others.
As well as, what feels safe and unsafe. They learn to read signals
and know their own boundaries.
Pursuit games can have a child feel an element of alarm in a
safe bubble. Where it’s not for real, and attuned adults are close
by.
Can we interrupt play less this summer and take part ourselves
in games and activities? Here are a few games to try:
Wolf Ball
Audience age: 5+
Time needed: 10–15 minutes
Materials: Ball (soft) or 10–15 handkerchiefs/bandanas.
When using bandanas, use 5 to create the “ball” in a knot and
10 to mark your boundary.
Where to play: a field or grassy area is best.
How to play: One player is “it,” (the wolf) and tries to hit
the other players which are deer with the ball. The goal is to
not get hit. The wolf throws the ball each time standing from
the place where the ball last landed. Once the wolf hits a deer,
they are out. Out deer go to the nursery, lining up outside the
boundary. If the wolf throws the ball and it’s caught by a deer
in the nursery, the first out deer can rejoin the game. The game
ends when the wolf gets all the players out.
How many can play? 5–15 players (a large boundary for
many players)
Fun fact: great “trickle in game” or warm-up game
Cougar Stalks Deer
Audience age: 4+
Time needed: approx. 10 minutes/round
Materials: None.
Where to play: A field, lawn or pathway
How to play: One player is the deer and all other players are
cougars. The deer starts with their back to the cougars. The
game starts when the cougars begin to stalk the deer. The deer’s
goal is to turn around and spot a moving cougar! The cougars
must freeze before the deer spots them moving. If the deer sees
any cougars moving, they call out their name, and the cougar
must go back to the starting point. The game ends when the
first cougar reaches the deer and tags them.
How many can play: 4–20+ players
Source: wyp.org/resource-portal/activities/cougar-stalks-deergame
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