Hit the Beach! Fun Ocean-Themed Outdoor Games for Groups
In the Sea, On the Shore
Lay a rope on the ground. Children all stand on one side of the rope, parallel to it (facing sideways, not toward the rope). Leader calls out “In the Sea!” and kids jump sideways to the other side of the rope in one jump. Leader then calls “On the Shore!” and the kids jump back. Leader does this several times except starts to deliberately trick them by saying things like “On the Door!” or “In the Tree!” etc. and also by going faster and faster! Children can only jump when the correct command is given! If they make a mistake, they must go sit down. When only a few are left, start over.
Port and Starboard
In a long open space area designate one side as Port and one side as Starboard. Have children start on Port side. The Captain calls out orders to run to one side or the other and then whistles to stop them and then gives a command for a position they must assume for fun. If they run in the wrong direction or act out the wrong position they are out.
Positions to call out:
• Beauty on the beach! (hands on hips and wiggle)
• Muscle Man on the beach! (arms up flexing muscles)
• Shark in the Water! (pretend to swim frantically)
• Surfers! (pretend to be on a surfboard)
• Man Overboard! (lay on ground, waving hands and feet)
EXAMPLE: Children are on one side of the yard, Captain calls out STARBOARD!
Everyone starts running to the other side and then Captain blows the whistle and shouts MAN OVER BOARD! Everyone drops and starts waving hands and feet. Anyone not doing it is ‘out!’
Sealife Scramble
In a large area, designate a starting line and a finish line. All children start on one line, and the Captain calls out various animals – zoo animals, jungle animals, birds, pet, as well as sea life. Any time a sea life animal is called the children RUN to the other side while the Captain tries to tag them! First one tagged trades places with Captain and it starts over.
Sardines
This game is like Hide and Seek but one person hides and the others seek! As each child finds the hider, they join him and hide in there together like sardines until the last person finds them. He then becomes the next hider.
Octopus
Kids in groups of at least 4 stand in a tight circle, shoulder to shoulder. They thrust hands forward and join hands with the other children making sure not to get the same person’s hands twice or the hands of the person directly next to them. Then try to untangle going over, under, or through the other players (teaches cooperative problem solving!). They must NOT release their grips EVER! For extra fun, have 2 groups doing it at once and see who can get untangled the fastest! If they are really truly stuck, have them start over.
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