Picnic Games for Kids (Family Reunion)

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Picnics are fun until you have kids with you.

With kids comes the great responsibility of keeping them occupied.

But they also need a break, right?

A break from the mundane routine work of school and homework.

Going for picnics is the best way to unwind.

Thus we bring to you a collection of picnic games just for kids.

1. Spoon & Egg Relay

A simple classic that gets kids racing while balancing an egg on a spoon. It’s perfect for giggles, teamwork, and a bit of friendly competition.

Requirements:

  • Spoons

  • Plastic or hard-boiled eggs

How to Play:
Divide kids into teams and give each player a spoon and egg. Players must walk to a marker and back while balancing the egg on the spoon. If the egg drops, they must start over. The team that finishes first without too many egg-splosions wins.

2. Blanket Pull Race

Kids ride on blankets while teammates pull them across the grass in a silly, laughter-filled race.

Requirements:

  • Blankets or large beach towels

  • Open grassy space

How to Play:

Pair kids in teams of two. One child sits on a blanket while the other pulls them from one end of the yard to the other. After halfway, they switch roles. The team to cross the finish line first wins. Expect lots of sliding and laughing!

3. Picnic Scavenger Hunt

Kids go on a nature hunt around the picnic area searching for fun, kid-safe items on a list.

Requirements:

  • Printed scavenger hunt lists

  • Pencils or crayons

How to Play:

Give each child a list of common outdoor items to find—like a pinecone, dandelion, or feather. They explore the area and check off as they find each item. The first one to complete their list gets a prize, or everyone who finishes gets a treat.

4. Water Sponge Toss

Cool down with a game where kids toss soaking wet sponges back and forth without dropping them.

Requirements:

  • Large sponges

  • Buckets of water

How to Play:

Kids pair up and stand facing each other. One dips the sponge in water and tosses it to their partner. After each successful catch, they take a step back. The last team still catching without dropping their sponge wins. It’s wet, wild fun!

5. Balloon Waddle Race

This game has kids waddling like penguins with a balloon squeezed between their knees.

Requirements:

  • Balloons

  • Space to race

How to Play:

Each child places a balloon between their knees and waddles to the finish line without letting it drop or pop. If it falls, they have to return to the start. The first one to reach the finish line with the balloon intact wins the race.

6. Nature Art Station

Turn picnic time into an art fest with natural materials and creativity.

Requirements:

  • Leaves, flowers, twigs

  • Paper, glue, crayons

How to Play:

Kids collect nature treasures like leaves and petals around the picnic area. Using glue and paper, they create nature-inspired art or collages. Add crayons for drawing or labeling. It’s calm, creative, and a great take-home activity too.

7. Picnic Bingo

A relaxed sit-down game that keeps kids engaged while observing nature and picnic surroundings.

Requirements:

  • Picnic-themed bingo cards

  • Crayons or markers

How to Play:

Each child gets a bingo card filled with picnic and outdoor-themed images like ants, sandwiches, or birds. As they spot each item around the picnic, they color it in or mark it. The first one to get a line or full card wins a small prize.

8. Hula Hoop Freeze

Combines dance and balance with fun hula hoop action for bursts of energy.

Requirements:

  • Hula hoops

  • Music player

How to Play:

Kids dance and hula hoop as music plays. When the music stops, everyone must freeze in place with their hoop. Anyone who moves or drops the hoop is out. Keep going until one child remains or until everyone’s had a turn to win.

9. Cup Stack Challenge

This game mixes focus and speed as kids race to stack and unstack cups.

Requirements:

  • Plastic cups

How to Play:

Set up a table with stacks of cups for each child. On “Go,” they race to build a pyramid stack and then unstack it back into a tower. The fastest hands win, but it’s just as fun watching the towers tumble along the way.

10. Sack Race

A picnic classic that never goes out of style—fun for all ages!

Requirements:

  • Burlap sacks or pillowcases

How to Play:

Each child gets into a sack and hops from the starting line to the finish. It’s a race full of laughter, tumbles, and cheering. Add heats or team relays to keep the fun going and include everyone.

11. Obstacle Course Adventure

Turn your picnic space into a mini outdoor adventure zone.

Requirements:

  • Cones, pool noodles, ropes, hula hoops (anything for obstacles)

How to Play:

Set up a fun course with simple challenges like crawling under ropes, jumping through hoops, or weaving between cones. Kids race one by one, and the fastest finisher wins. It’s perfect for letting out extra energy and encouraging friendly competition.

See Also:

Pack your picnic bags and tents.

Put on your shoes and get going.

These game ideas do not require you to carry excess baggage.

And your kiddos will surely love it.

 

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