The coronavirus pandemic has reshaped many aspects of our lives, including how we play and interact with others. Social distancing measures have led to the closure of many playgrounds, and when they do open, maintaining a safe distance from others is crucial. However, this doesn't mean children can't have fun and stay active. Let's explore some socially distant playground games and activities that promote safety and creativity.
When considering games for social distancing, it's essential to prioritize safety. That means no physical contact, maintaining a minimum of 6 feet apart, and ensuring activities are outdoors where transmission risks are lower. It's also wise to choose games that require minimal equipment and can be easily sanitized.
Solo and Small-Group Playground Games
For younger children or those playing alone, there are plenty of fun and engaging activities to keep them active and entertained. These games also work well for small groups of less than 10 people, adhering to current social distancing guidelines.
1. Scavenger Hunt: Create a list of items kids need to find in the playground or nearby area. This can be done with a simple pen and paper or using an app. Make sure to choose items that are easy to spot and safely accessible. This game encourages exploration, critical thinking, and fine motor skills.
Obstacle Courses
With some creativity, you can turn any playground into an obstacle course. Use equipment like slides, monkey bars, and tunnels to create a challenging and fun path. Remember to clean equipment before and after use to minimize the risk of virus transmission.
2. Jump Rope Challenge: Jump ropes are easy to carry, great for individual use, and promote cardiovascular health. Create a simple jump rope challenge, such as seeing how many times a child can jump in 30 seconds or trying different jump rope tricks.
Balloon Games
Balloon games are perfect for small groups and promote eye-hand coordination and fine motor skills. A simple game of keepy-uppy (keeping the balloon off the ground) or race to pop (first one to pop the balloon loses) can provide hours of fun.
Medium-Group Playground Games
When playing with a small group of 10-20 people, it's still possible to enjoy games while adhering to social distancing guidelines.
1. Simon Says: This classic game can be easily adapted for social distancing. Instead of physical actions, create commands that involve moving around the playground, like "Simon says, walk around the slide" or "Simon says, touch your toes." Make sure to include plenty of commands that promote physical distancing, like "Simon says, step 6 feet away."
2. Red Light, Green Light: Set up a designated starting and stopping point. One person, the traffic light, stands at the stopping point with their back to the players (who are at least 6 feet away). When the traffic light says "green light," the players move towards them. When the traffic light says "red light," the players must stop immediately. The goal is for the players to reach the traffic light without being caught moving during a "red light."
Simon Says Relay
Divide into two even teams, ensuring all players are socially distanced. Place each team at one end of the playground. The "Simon" (team leader) gives a command, and the first team member to perform the action correctly without breaking social distancing rules runs to the other team and repeats the command. The first team to complete the relay wins.
Distance Tag
This twist on the classic game of tag involves appointing one person as "it." When "it"taggs someone, that person becomes "it" (making sure not to physically touch but yelling "you're it" from a distance), and the game continues. To make it more engaging, create a boundary where players must stay within, and whenever "it" leaves the boundary, the game starts over.
As we continue to navigate this pandemic, it's crucial to remember that social distancing doesn't mean no fun. With a little creativity and adaptability, we can still enjoy playground games that promote physical activity, interpersonal skills, and overall well-being – all from a safe distance. So go out there and play safe!