KIDS: Backyard Olympics
You don’t need fancy gear or a huge yard to create a summer memory your kids will never forget. With a little creativity (and whatever’s in your house), you can host your own Backyard Olympics—no medals required.
These simple, low-prep games are perfect for all ages and abilities. They encourage movement, teamwork, and big belly laughs—all while using stuff you already have at home.
Whether you’re planning a weekend activity, a birthday bash, or just trying to break up another long afternoon, these games deliver fun without the overwhelm.
Towel Hop Relay
What you need: A few old towels or blankets
How to play: Lay the towels out in a line. Kids must hop from one to the next without touching the grass or ground. Want to up the challenge? Time them and cheer them on to beat their own best score.
Sponge Toss
What you need: A few kitchen sponges, buckets, and water
How to play: Fill one bucket with water and place it a few feet away from an empty bucket. Players must soak the sponge in water, run to the empty bucket, and squeeze it out—racing to fill the empty one first.
Sock Shot Put
What you need: Rolled-up socks or soft balls
How to play: Line up and take turns “shot-putting” the socks. Mark where they land with chalk or a stick. Introduce challenges by trying to beat personal bests each round.
Obstacle Course Challenge
What you need: Anything you’ve got! Pool noodles, boxes, cones, chairs, rope.
How to play: Create a course with things to crawl under, hop over, balance on, or circle around. Kids love helping design the course too!
Ideas for stations:
Jump over a broomstick
Crawl under a blanket fort
Walk a “tightrope” drawn with sidewalk chalk
Spin in a circle five times, then dash to the finish
Stuffed Animal Shotput
What you need: Favorite stuffed animals
How to play: Same rules as shot put—but with their favorite plush pals! Let them measure, name their throws, and celebrate each effort.
Laundry Basket Basketball
What you need: Laundry baskets and rolled-up socks or soft balls
How to play: Set up baskets at different distances and assign point values. Kids take turns tossing and tallying their scores. Add challenges like throwing while standing on one foot!
Dance Freeze Medal Ceremony
What you need: Music and your best dance moves
How to play: Play music and let everyone dance it out. When the music stops—they freeze! Bonus: Create silly “awards” like “Silliest Freeze” or “Best Twirl.”
Why Backyard Olympics Work for Everyone
At Inclyousion Sports, we believe play should be inclusive, low-pressure, and joyful. These backyard games:
Use everyday items, so they’re budget-friendly
Can be adapted for all abilities and attention spans
Foster confidence, teamwork, and resilience—the real wins in any sport
There’s no “right” way to play. The point is movement, imagination, and connection.
Tips for Success
Let kids help set up and create their own “events”
Keep the vibe light—cheer for effort, not perfection
Offer breaks for water, snacks, and downtime
End with a “closing ceremony” like popsicles and high-fives
🏆 Make It a Memory
Print DIY medals. Take goofy photos. Invite friends or neighbors. Or keep it just your family and a sprinkler. However you play it, your Backyard Olympics can be a core memory!
Share photos of your backyard fun and tag us on Instagram or Facebook!
