Playground Equipment Games and Activities
Creative Ways for Camp Counselors to Entertain Kids at a Park
Jun 30, 2009
Working as a day-camp counselor can mean spending hours at the park this summer. While swings and slides are fun, they don’t always hold the attention span of a 9-year old. That is, until you turn them into a game. Check out these simple yet creative games and activities for the playground.
Woodchips/Fishy in the Water
In this popular playground game, participants attempt to make it across the equipment without getting tagged by the shark. Start out by designating one child as a shark, who is blindfolded. Then give the other children (fish) two minutes to get situated on the playground equipment. The shark attempts to tag the fish, who are not allowed to touch the ground (often covered with woodchips). If the shark hears someone on the woodchips, he or she can shout out “Fishy in the water!” and the violator is out. The game continues until the shark tags all the fish. The last fish to be tagged is the next shark.
Playground Twister
Tell the children to play as they regularly would, but to pay attention as you will be calling out colors and body parts (ie. “left arm, red”). When you call out a color, every child has to find a piece of playground equipment of that color and touch it with the correct body part as fast as they can. The last child to touch the designated color is out.
Circuits
In a gym setting, personal trainers often put clients through circuit training. You can design your own version of a circuit using the playground equipment as stations. Split the children into equal-sized groups and start each group at a different piece of equipment. Every three minutes, blow a whistle and have the groups rotate to the next station.
Squash the Melon
This game is all about the slide. One kid (the melon) sits on the end of the slide and tries to hold his or her position, while the other kids slide down and attempt to bump off the melon. The pileup of kids can be dangerous, so use your discretion based on the kids in your group.
Treasure Hunt for Treats
If you have a treat you’re planning to give all the kids, use this game to increase excitement and encourage participation in camp activities. Hide enough small items (inexpensive charms, keychains, magnets) for each child throughout the playground. Give the children a list of what is missing and have them search for the treasures. When they find a treasure, they can exchange it for a treat.
Choose Your Own Adventure
Kids love to come up with new games – and often, they are more creative than adults. You’re your kids break up into groups of three to four, and assign each group one piece of equipment. Give the groups 30 minutes to design their own game, using either the equipment or just the park space (grassy area). Then, have the groups present their games and teach the rest of the camp.
