Try these out-of-the-box, into-the-yard games from Ann Love, co-author of Get Outside: The Kids Guide to Fun in the Great Outdoors.

Frisbee Golf
Set up a large open area as a course, with lots of “hazards” like trees, rocks and grass. Number cardboard pieces 1 through 9 to use as flags, and tape or lean them on tree trunks, rock piles or tufts of long grass around the course. Then have players take turns throwing Frisbees to hit the flags in numerical order. Count how many throws are needed to hit each number, and tally scores.

Crocodile
Players standing in a large circle in an open space must try to keep a beach ball up in the air, moving from person to person—without hitting the ball twice in a row. The goal is to keep the ball from hitting the ground, because a hungry crocodile lurks in the grass ready to bite. If the ball hits the ground, the last player to touch it is out.

Life Raft
Family members need to work together in this game. Find a large, tattered cloth and lay it on the ground. Inform the kids that it’s a raft floating in shark-infested waters and that everyone must find a place on it. Next, fold the cloth in half and have everyone find a spot on the raft; then fold in half again for the same goal—and let the maneuvers and giggles begin!