Playing outdoors is not only enjoyable, but it’s also beneficial for our health and well-being. Outdoor games provide a fun way to get active, challenge yourself, and connect with others. From classic games like soccer and basketball to lesser-known games like kabaddi and sepak takraw, there are endless options to choose from. In this article, we’ll explore over 100 outdoor games and their benefits, so you can find the perfect game for your next outdoor adventure.
Table Containing 100+ Outdoor Games
This table lists 100 distinct outdoor games, categorized by the type of activity they involve. There’s plenty for everyone, from the most popular team sports such as basketball and football to more individual tournaments such as golf and tennis. Scuba diving, mountaineering, and skydiving are among the most adventurous options that are available and are also traditional board games such as Chess and Scrabble which are played outside. No matter if you are looking for more competitive or leisurely games outdoors, the great outdoors offers unlimited opportunities for fun and physical exercise.
| Game | Category | Description |
| Football (Soccer) | Team Sports | Played between two teams of 11 players each with the objective of scoring goals. |
| Basketball | Team Sports | The objective is to shoot a ball through a hoop elevated 10 feet above the ground. |
| Cricket | Team Sports | A bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players each. |
| Rugby | Team Sports | The objective of scoring tries by carrying the ball into the opposing team’s goal area. |
| Tennis | Individual | The objective is to hit a ball over a net and into the opponent’s court. |
| Golf | Individual | The objective is to hit a ball into a series of holes in as few strokes as possible. |
| Baseball | Team Sports | A bat-and-ball game was played between two teams of nine players each. |
| Volleyball | Team Sports | The objective is to hit a ball over a net and into the opposing team’s court without the ball touching the ground. |
| Field Hockey | Team Sports | The objective is to score more goals than the opposing team by hitting a ball into the opposing team’s net using a stick. |
| Badminton | Individual | The objective is to hit a shuttlecock over a net and into the opponent’s court. |
| Table tennis | Individual | The objective is to hit the ball over the net and into the opponent’s court without the ball touching the ground. |
| Futsal | Team Sports | A variant of football played on a smaller indoor court with a smaller, heavier |
| Swimming | Aquatics | A sport where athletes swim in pools or open water. |
| Diving | Aquatics | A sport where athletes dive off a platform or springboard into water. |
| Water Polo | Aquatics | A team sport played in the water, where players pass a ball and try to score goals. |
| Synchronized Swimming | Aquatics | A hybrid of swimming, dance, and gymnastics performed in water. |
| Rowing | Water Sports | A sport where athletes row a boat using oars in a body of water. |
| Canoeing | Water Sports | A sport where athletes paddle a canoe or kayak through a body of water. |
| Kayaking | Water Sports | A sport where athletes propel a kayak through water using a paddle. |
| Sailing | Water Sports | A sport where athletes navigate a sailboat through water using the wind. |
| Surfing | Board Sports | A sport where athletes ride waves using a surfboard. |
| Windsurfing | Board Sports | A sport where athletes ride a board while being pulled by a sail. |
| Kitesurfing | Board Sports | A sport where athletes ride a board while being pulled by a kite. |
| Skateboarding | Extreme Sports | A sport where athletes ride a board with wheels and perform tricks. |
| Snowboarding | Winter Sports | A sport where athletes ride a board on snow and perform tricks. |
| Skiing | Winter Sports | A sport where athletes use skis to glide on snow or other surfaces. |
| Ice Skating | Winter Sports | A sport where athletes skate on ice. |
| Curling | Winter Sports | A team sport played on ice where players slide stones toward a target. |
| Bobsleigh | Winter Sports | A sport where athletes ride a sled down an ice track. |
| Skeleton | Winter Sports | A sport where athletes ride a sled down an ice track headfirst. |
| Luge | Winter Sports | A sport where athletes ride a sled down an ice track feet first. |
| Archery | Precision Sports | A sport where athletes use a bow to shoot arrows at a target. |
| Shooting | Precision Sports | A sport where athletes use a gun to shoot at a target. |
| Fencing | Combat Sports | A sport where athletes use swords to score points. |
| Horse Racing | Equestrian Sports | A sport where horses race on a track. |
| Polo | Equestrian Sports | A team sport played on horseback where players try to score goals. |
| Show Jumping | Equestrian Sports | A sport where horses and riders jump over obstacles in a timed event. |
| Dressage | Equestrian Sports | A sport where horses and riders perform a series of movements in a choreographed routine. |
| Eventing | Equestrian Sports | A sport where horses and riders compete in three disciplines: dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. |
| Car Racing | Motorsports | A sport where drivers race cars on a track. |
| Motorcycling | Motorsports | A sport where riders race motorcycles on a track. |
| Cycling | Cycling | A sport where athletes ride bicycles in races or competitions. |
| Handball | Team | Players pass and bounce a ball to throw it into the opposing team’s goal. |
| Boxing | Individual | Two people wearing protective gloves throw punches at each other for a set number of rounds in a boxing ring. |
| Wrestling | Individual | Two people grapple and try to pin each other down or force each other out of bounds on a mat. |
| Judo | Individual | Two people try to throw each other to the ground or immobilize each other with pins or joint locks. |
| Taekwondo | Individual | Taekwondo is a martial art that originated in Korea and emphasizes fast, powerful kicks and punches. |
| Karate | Individual | Karate is a martial art that originated in Japan. |
| Gymnastics | Individual/Team | It combines strength, flexibility, agility, and coordination in a variety of physical exercises performed on various apparatus. |
| Athletics (Track and Field) | Individual/Team | Athletics, also known as track and field, is a collection of sports that includes running, jumping, throwing, and walking events. |
| Triathlon | Individual | Triathlon is a multisport race that consists of three sequential disciplines: swimming, cycling, and running. |
| Decathlon | Individual | It consists of ten track and field events. |
| Pentathlon | Individual | It consists of five track and field events. |
| Biathlon | Winter sports | A combination of cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. Athletes race against the clock |
| Cross-country skiing | Winter sports | A form of skiing where athletes use skis and poles to travel across snow-covered terrain |
| Snowshoeing | Winter sports | A sport where athletes wear snowshoes to walk or run on snow |
| Ice hockey | Team sports | A fast-paced game where two teams of skaters compete to score goals with a puck |
| Figure skating | Individual sports | A sport where individuals or pairs perform various skating elements and acrobatics |
| Martial arts | Combat sports | A broad term for various practices that include combat techniques and physical exercise |
| American football | Team sports | A sport where two teams of eleven players try to advance a ball across a field |
| Lacrosse | Team sports | A team sport where players use a long-handled stick to catch, carry, and pass a ball |
| Ultimate Frisbee | Team sports | A sport where two teams compete to score points by passing a flying disc to teammates |
| Netball | Team sports | A team sport with seven players who try to score goals by passing a ball |
| Handball | Team sports | A sport where two teams try to score goals by throwing a ball with their hands |
| Water skiing | Water sports | A sport where an individual is pulled behind a boat on skis or a board on the water |
| Wakeboarding | Water sports | A sport where an individual rides a board over the water while being towed by a boat |
| Skateboarding | Extreme sports | A sport where individuals ride on a board and perform various tricks and stunts |
| Rollerblading | Extreme sports | A sport where individuals wear inline skates and perform various tricks and stunts |
| Parkour | Extreme sports | A sport where individuals navigate obstacles and terrain using their bodies |
| Rock climbing | Adventure sports | A sport where individuals climb up, down, or across natural rock formations or walls |
| Mountaineering | Outdoor sports | Climbing mountains using various techniques |
| Scuba diving | Water sports | Diving underwater using self-contained breathing |
| Snorkeling | Water sports | Swimming on the surface with a snorkel and fins |
| Free diving | Water sports | Diving without breathing apparatus |
| Fishing | Outdoor sports | Catching fish using various techniques |
| Hunting | Outdoor sports | Pursuing and capturing wild animals for sport |
| Orienteering | Outdoor sports | Using a map and compass to navigate through terrain |
| Geocaching | Outdoor sports | Searching for hidden containers using GPS |
| Chess | Board games | Strategic two-player board game |
| Checkers | Board games | Two-player board game |
| Poker | Card games | Gambling game with various rules and strategies |
| Bridge | Card games | Strategic four-player card game |
| Mahjong | Tile games | Four-player game using tiles |
| Go (Weiqi) | Board games | Two-player strategy board game |
| Backgammon | Board games | The two-player game involves dice and strategy |
| Monopoly | Board games | A game where players buy sell, and trade properties |
| Scrabble | Board games | A word game where players earn points for creating words |
| Trivial Pursuit | Board games | Game of knowledge and trivia |
| Risk | Board games | The strategy board game of world domination |
| Settlers of Catan | Board games | The strategy board game of resource management |
| Dungeons and Dragons | Role-playing games | Fantasy role-playing game |
| Magic: The Gathering | Trading card games | Collectible card game |
| Warhammer | Tabletop games | Fantasy miniature wargame |
| Chessboxing | Hybrid sports | Alternate rounds of chess and boxing |
| Sepak Takraw | Ball games | Southeast Asian game of kicking a rattan ball |
| Kabaddi | Ball games | South Asian game of attack and defense |
| Kho-Kho | Tag games | South Asian chasing and dodging game |
| Pétanque | Ball games | The French game of throwing metal balls |
| Boomerang throwing | Throwing games | Skill-based throwing game |
| Hurling | Stick and ball games | Irish game of hitting a ball with a stick |
Benefits of Outdoor Games
Here are some points highlighting the benefits of playing outdoor games:
» Physical fitness Outdoor sports require physical exercise which improves the overall fitness level and the health of your heart.
» Mental health: Going outside into the natural environment and participating in physical exercise can positively impact mental health, including reducing anxiety and stress.
» Socialization Outdoor games usually involve collaboration and communication, which can help in fostering connections between people and enhancing social abilities.
» Improved cognitive function: Outdoor games can improve cognitive performance, such as spatial awareness, and problem-solving abilities in addition to hand-eye coordination.
» Exposure to sunlight Being outdoors in the sun can give you the vitamin D that is sorely needed from the sun that is vital for healthy bones and overall well-being.
Overall, playing outdoor games provides numerous physical, mental, and social benefits, making it an enjoyable and healthy activity for people of all ages.
Conclusion
In conclusion, outdoor activities can provide many advantages for people of all age groups. From improving your physical fitness and overall health to increasing well-being Outdoor games are the perfect opportunity to remain active and enjoy the wonderful outdoors. With this wide array of possibilities, there’s something for all. If it’s team sports or individual games, or just leisure activities, the advantages of playing outdoors are evident. So, gather your people with you and go outdoors to play one of these more than 100 outdoor games. You’ll soon be reaping the benefits for your mind and body.
