Summer doesn’t have to be ruined due to continued COVID-19 restrictions. These genius indoor and outdoor social distancing games keep kids 6 feet apart from friends while they play. Thanks to Parenting Magazine for these wonderful ideas.
Worried your kid will not take kindly to directed playtime? Try explaining the “why” behind the need for them to play social distancing games. Experts from The Child Study Center at Rutgers University say kids are more likely to stick with new habits if they understand their importance, so starting with a simple explanation of how staying apart keeps germs from spreading may help your case.
To keep the good times (safely) rolling, we’re highlighting six more fun social distancing games and activities that will keep your kiddos 6 feet apart and smiling all summer long.
Noodle Tag
- Players: 3
- Where to play: Outdoors
- Best ages: Grades K – 2
How to play: Grab a few friends, more than three is ideal, and give everybody a pool noodle. When someone is “it” they have to tag their buddies by using the end of the noodle. Soft and bendy so nobody gets hurt, but also social-distanced approved so no one comes too close!
Porch Games
- Best ages: Grades K – 8
- Players: 2
- Where to play: Indoors or outdoors
How to play: When your kid needs a break from the sun, set him up on the front steps or porch with their Nintendo Switch, and let their neighborhood pal set up their chair in your yard. One mom said there’s no need to worry about her son getting too close to his friend, but they feel like they’re doing something together and look forward to these visits.
Hello Neighbor
- Best ages: Grades K – 5
- Players: 2
- Where to play: Outdoors
How to play: One mom in Westchester, New York said her kids play a game called “Hello Neighbor” where they hide an old set of keys and their opponent (the neighbor) needs to find the keys and return safely back to the front door. This is easy to play with two friends, or sets of siblings living next door to one another. (Spice it up by playing “hot and cold” with the hidden keys, which helps little ones practice the idea of opposites and refine their listening skills.)
Kick It with Kickball
- Best ages: Grades K – 5
- Players: 5
- Where to play: Outdoors
How to play: A popular pastime of parents growing up in the ’90s, kickball is a smart way to get a larger group of your child’s buddies together (ideal for more than five). Meet at a local field so there’s plenty of open space and bring your pool noodles to use as bases or for keeping the distance when kids are waiting in line to kick the ball.
Fence Freeze Dance
- Best ages: Grades K – 2
- Players: 3
- Where to play: Indoors or outdoors
How to play: If your kid’s best buds live next door, meet in adjoining backyards and start a game of freeze dance. It’s silly enough that mom and dad may want to join in, but getting close isn’t in the recipe since each child only needs the spot they’re standing in. In this activity, everyone dances when the music plays and freezes as soon as the music stops—hold that position until the music starts back up again. If someone doesn’t immediately freeze, order them to do something like 10 jumping jacks or five push-ups. (PE teachers will be proud.)
Simon Says (Stay 6 Feet Away!)
- Best ages: Grades K – 2
- Players: 4
- Where to play: Indoors or outdoors
How to play: A study published in the Journal of Early Childhood Research Quarterly suggests that this classic game, Simon Says, is the key to improving kids’ chances of success in the classroom. The study found that children’s ability to self-regulate is a critical element in their language and literacy development. Kids who are good at self-regulating can manage their emotions and behavior to achieve a specific goal. Best for kids younger than first grade, asking them to play a variation of “Simon Says” (follow instructions and do the opposite of what’s asked) is fun and educational without them even knowing it.
