The last day of school was always my favorite day of the year. I would count down the minutes and hours until I was finally free, finally able to run around and play outside. For the entire summer, I would be outdoors more than anything, playing games, swimming, or just hanging out in the backyard.
These days, my kids choose to spend most of their time inside. It's hard to blame them. Video games, streaming content, and the internet are all within reach at all times, and it's hard to compete with that kind of appeal. I try to play games with them, but the lure of instant gratification and next-gen graphics (unless they're on Minecraft) are like their siren's song.
I think part of the issue is that the best outdoor games usually require more than two or three people. Old-fashioned games like capture the flag, dodgeball, kickball, and even kick the can (for real old-school players) are more entertaining with at least six or more. Space can also be an issue, especially if you don't live next to a park.
But, when their friends do come over, we bust out the old-fashioned outdoor games. If you're longing for "the good 'ole days" of play, here are some of our favorites.