Outdoor Play Ideas

The Name Game

  • Children sit or stand in a circle. Hold a ball and say: My name is blank. Pass the ball to the right. Continue around the circle.
  • On the next round, say: My name is blank, and I am passing the ball to blank. Continue around the circle.
  • Next, roll the ball to another player and say: My name is blank, and I am rolling the ball to blank. Continue until everyone has had a turn.
  • When children can catch the rolling ball easily, widen the circle and add throwing to the game pattern.

Bouncing Ball

  • Children stand in a circle. Say: My name is blank as you bounce and catch the ball one time. Pass the ball to the right. Continue around the circle a few times.
  • When children can bounce and catch the ball easily, say: My name is blank and your name is blank, bouncing the ball to the child next to you. Continue around the circle.

Kick the Ball

  • Place a medium-sized ball on the ground, about 6–10 feet from a wall or sturdy fence.
  • Call out the name of a child in the class. Then kick the ball to hit the wall.
  • The child you name runs after and catches the ball. The game continues with that child calling out another name, and so on.
  • Continue until all children have had a turn.

Variation: Have children stand in a circle. Announce a child's name and bounce the ball to that child.