As the days get longer and the weather (slowly!) starts to improve, it’s the perfect time to get outside and get moving! At our Holiday Clubs, we love games that spark imagination, teamwork, and giggles – without always needing loads of equipment.
Parents, you might spot some childhood favourites on this list! These timeless classics have been passed down for generations, and for good reason - they’re screen-free, encourage active play, and best of all, the whole family can join in
So whether you’re looking for a quick way to burn off energy before dinner or something fun for a trip to the park, here are seven of our favourite no-prep, mess-free games that our Holiday Clubbers love - and that your family can enjoy anytime!
A classic game of suspense and excitement! One player is Mr. Wolf and stands at one end of the playing area with their back turned. The other players call out:
"What’s the time, Mr. Wolf?"
Mr. Wolf replies with a number (e.g. Three o’clock!) and the group takes that many steps forward.
But… when Mr. Wolf says "Dinnertime!" - it’s a mad dash back to the start before getting caught!
Why we love it:
✅ Simple and thrilling!
✅ Helps with counting skills and active listening.
✅ Great for groups of all ages.
An easy game with endless possibilities! One player is the leader, and everyone else copies their actions - jumping, skipping, clapping, balancing on one foot… whatever the leader does, the others must follow along!
Want to make it even more fun? Try a nature-themed version! At Holiday Club, we love playing this in the woods - stomping like a bear, hopping like a frog, or flapping like an eagle!
Why we love it:
✅ Encourages movement and coordination.
✅ No winners or losers - just pure fun!
✅ Can be played indoors or outdoors!
This game transforms any outdoor space into a top-secret mission! Give each child a spy challenge, such as:
Sneak across the garden without being spotted!
Find three natural objects (a leaf, a stone, and a flower).
Listen for three different sounds.
At Holiday Club, we love adding an adventure theme - pretending we’re mythical explorers on a quest or ancient treasure hunters!
Why we love it:
✅ Encourages curiosity and problem-solving.
✅ Gets kids thinking and observing.
✅ Works for all ages - simple or tricky challenges!
Like regular tag, but with a twist - you don’t tag the player, you tag their shadow! The chaser must step on another player’s shadow to catch them, and then that person becomes the new chaser!
This is best played on a sunny day when shadows are long and easy to spot. Bonus fun: Try making funny shadow shapes while running!
Why we love it:
✅ Perfect for sunny spring afternoons!
✅ Helps kids pay attention to their surroundings.
✅ It really gets the heart pumping!
We all know the classic indoor version - but outside, it can be even more fun! Instead of jumping on cushions, players must only step on safe zones like:
Logs or tree stumps
Hula hoops or chalk-drawn islands
Stepping stones or wooden planks
At Holiday Club, we love creating obstacle courses where kids climb, balance, and jump while staying off the "lava"!
Why we love it:
✅ Builds balance and coordination.
✅ Encourages teamwork and problem-solving.
✅ Endless variations - play at the park, garden, or woods!
This game is simple but guaranteed to cause giggles! Players take turns spinning ten times in one direction, then try to run in a straight line or complete a task like picking up an object or high-fiving a teammate.
For a Holiday Club twist, we challenge kids to spin and then attempt a mini obstacle course - hilarity ensues!
Why we love it:
✅ Gets kids moving and laughing!
✅ Improves coordination and balance.
✅ A quick, easy energy-burner!
One player is the dragon, guarding their treasure (a small toy, ball, or object). The other players must try to sneak up and steal it without being tagged!
If the dragon catches someone, that person swaps in as the next dragon. The trick? Move carefully—too fast, and the dragon will hear you!
Why we love it:
✅ Adds strategy & excitement to classic tag!
✅ Encourages teamwork and quick thinking.
✅ Great for a mix of ages!
At Holiday Club, we see how games like these build confidence, encourage movement, and spark imaginations - and that’s why we love them! Why not try one out this weekend and see where the adventure takes you?
For more fun ideas, tips and parenting tricks, join our newsletter.
So whether you’re looking for a quick way to burn off energy before dinner or something fun for a trip to the park, here are seven of our favourite no-prep, mess-free games that our Holiday Clubbers love - and that your family can enjoy anytime!
1. What Time Is It, Mr. Wolf?
A classic game of suspense and excitement! One player is Mr. Wolf and stands at one end of the playing area with their back turned. The other players call out:
"What’s the time, Mr. Wolf?"
Mr. Wolf replies with a number (e.g. Three o’clock!) and the group takes that many steps forward.
But… when Mr. Wolf says "Dinnertime!" - it’s a mad dash back to the start before getting caught!
Why we love it:
✅ Simple and thrilling!
✅ Helps with counting skills and active listening.
✅ Great for groups of all ages.
2. Follow the Leader
An easy game with endless possibilities! One player is the leader, and everyone else copies their actions - jumping, skipping, clapping, balancing on one foot… whatever the leader does, the others must follow along!
Want to make it even more fun? Try a nature-themed version! At Holiday Club, we love playing this in the woods - stomping like a bear, hopping like a frog, or flapping like an eagle!
Why we love it:
✅ Encourages movement and coordination.
✅ No winners or losers - just pure fun!
✅ Can be played indoors or outdoors!
3. Secret Spy Missions
This game transforms any outdoor space into a top-secret mission! Give each child a spy challenge, such as:
Sneak across the garden without being spotted!
Find three natural objects (a leaf, a stone, and a flower).
Listen for three different sounds.
At Holiday Club, we love adding an adventure theme - pretending we’re mythical explorers on a quest or ancient treasure hunters!
Why we love it:
✅ Encourages curiosity and problem-solving.
✅ Gets kids thinking and observing.
✅ Works for all ages - simple or tricky challenges!
4. Shadow Tag
Like regular tag, but with a twist - you don’t tag the player, you tag their shadow! The chaser must step on another player’s shadow to catch them, and then that person becomes the new chaser!
This is best played on a sunny day when shadows are long and easy to spot. Bonus fun: Try making funny shadow shapes while running!
Why we love it:
✅ Perfect for sunny spring afternoons!
✅ Helps kids pay attention to their surroundings.
✅ It really gets the heart pumping!
5. The Floor is Lava – Outdoor Edition!
We all know the classic indoor version - but outside, it can be even more fun! Instead of jumping on cushions, players must only step on safe zones like:
Logs or tree stumps
Hula hoops or chalk-drawn islands
Stepping stones or wooden planks
At Holiday Club, we love creating obstacle courses where kids climb, balance, and jump while staying off the "lava"!
Why we love it:
✅ Builds balance and coordination.
✅ Encourages teamwork and problem-solving.
✅ Endless variations - play at the park, garden, or woods!
6. Dizzy Directions (A fun, silly challenge!)
This game is simple but guaranteed to cause giggles! Players take turns spinning ten times in one direction, then try to run in a straight line or complete a task like picking up an object or high-fiving a teammate.
For a Holiday Club twist, we challenge kids to spin and then attempt a mini obstacle course - hilarity ensues!
Why we love it:
✅ Gets kids moving and laughing!
✅ Improves coordination and balance.
✅ A quick, easy energy-burner!
7. Dragon’s Treasure (A fun mix of tag and strategy!)
One player is the dragon, guarding their treasure (a small toy, ball, or object). The other players must try to sneak up and steal it without being tagged!
If the dragon catches someone, that person swaps in as the next dragon. The trick? Move carefully—too fast, and the dragon will hear you!
Why we love it:
✅ Adds strategy & excitement to classic tag!
✅ Encourages teamwork and quick thinking.
✅ Great for a mix of ages!
At Holiday Club, we see how games like these build confidence, encourage movement, and spark imaginations - and that’s why we love them! Why not try one out this weekend and see where the adventure takes you?
For more fun ideas, tips and parenting tricks, join our newsletter.
Practically Family
07939 942334 (during Holiday Club weeks only)
