27 Group Games for Kids in 2025

Group games offer kids a fantastic way to have fun while building important skills such as teamwork and communication

In this article, we’ve put together a list of 27 exciting group games that kids of all ages will enjoy.

Let’s dive in!

27 Group Games for Kids

1. Animal Charades

In Animal Charades, kids take turns acting like various animals without making any sounds, while the other players try to guess the animal being mimicked. 

To start, gather the children in a circle and select the first actor. The chosen child silently performs actions typical of an animal, such as hopping for a bunny. 

The first player to guess correctly wins a point and takes the next turn as the actor. This game provides fun and encourages children to use their imagination.

2. Musical Chairs

The Musical Chairs game involves arranging chairs in a circle with one fewer chair than the number of players. When the music starts, the kids walk around the chairs.

As soon as the music stops, everyone must quickly find a chair to sit in. The player left standing is out of the game. 

One chair is removed for the next round, and the game continues until only one person remains seated. 

3. Duck Duck Goose

In Duck Duck Goose, children sit in a circle while one child, the “picker,” walks around tapping others on the head, saying “duck” with each tap. 

When the picker taps someone and says “goose,” that child must jump up and chase the picker around the circle. 

The goal for the picker is to sit in the goose’s spot before being tagged. If successful, the goose becomes the new picker; if not, the picker remains in that role.

4. Capture the Flag

In the Capture the Flag children are divided into two teams, each with a designated territory and a hidden flag. 

The objective is to capture the opposing team’s flag and bring it back to their own territory without getting tagged. 

Players who are tagged in the enemy’s territory are sent to “jail,” where they can be freed by their teammates. 

5. Relay Race

Relay Races are team-based competitions where children run a set distance before passing a baton to the next teammate. 

To set up, divide kids into equal teams and mark a course with start and finish lines. Each team member runs their portion of the race.

The first team to have all members complete the course wins. This game promotes physical fitness, coordination, teamwork, and a healthy sense of competition.

6. Parachute Game

The Parachute Game involves children holding the edges of a large, colorful parachute and performing various movements to make waves and keep balls bouncing on it.

Popular variations include Parachute Ball, where kids try to keep balls from falling off, and Sharks and Lifeguards, where some kids pretend to be sea creatures under the parachute. 

7. Four Square

In this game each player stands in one square, and the player in the highest-ranked square serves the ball by bouncing it into another square. Players must hit the ball into another square after it bounces once on their own. 

If a player misses the ball, lets it bounce twice, or hits it out of bounds, they are out, and players rotate to fill the squares. 

This game enhances coordination, concentration, and quick reflexes while providing a competitive and enjoyable activity.

8. Sticky Popcorn

In Sticky Popcorn, kids pretend to be pieces of popcorn popping around a designated area, such as a gym or playground. 

When two pieces of popcorn meet, they stick together and continue moving as a pair. The game continues until all players are stuck together in a giant popcorn ball.

This simple yet engaging game encourages movement, social interaction, and a lot of laughter.

9. The Quiet Olympics

The Quiet Olympics is a series of fun, low-noise competitions using everyday items. Events might include paper plate discus, balloon shot-put, a heel-to-toe track race, and a high jump where kids whistle as long as possible. 

Each event is designed to be easy to set up and safe for indoor play. These activities promote friendly competition, physical activity, and creativity.

10. Feather Blow

Feather Blow is a simple yet challenging game where each child is given a feather. The objective is to keep the feather in the air for as long as possible using only their breath. 

Players must blow the feather to keep it from falling, and the one who keeps their feather aloft the longest wins.

This game enhances breath control, concentration, and motor skills. It can be played individually or in teams.

11. Hula-Hoop Pass

In Hula-Hoop Pass, kids stand in a large circle and hold hands. A Hula-Hoop is placed over the arm of one player, and the objective is to pass the Hula-Hoop all the way around the circle without letting go of each other’s hands. 

The game fosters coordination, teamwork, and problem-solving as children figure out how to maneuver their bodies through the hoop to pass it along.

It’s an excellent activity for building cooperation and physical agility, making it a favorite in physical education classes and during outdoor play.

12. Obstacle Course

An Obstacle Course involves setting up a variety of physical challenges using items like cones, hula hoops, pool noodles, and ropes. 

Kids take turns navigating the course, which may include crawling under ropes, hopping through hoops, and weaving between cones. 

The course can be tailored to the children’s ages and abilities, ensuring everyone can participate and have fun. 

13. Treasure Hunt

A Treasure Hunt is an exciting game where kids follow clues to find hidden treasures. Teams are given a treasure map and a series of riddles or puzzles to solve, leading them to the next clue and eventually to the treasure. 

This game encourages problem-solving, teamwork, and creativity as kids work together to decipher the clues. 

Treasure Hunts can be set up indoors or outdoors and tailored to different age groups and themes.

14. Tug-of-War

Tug-of-War is a classic strength-based game where two teams pull on opposite ends of a sturdy rope, each trying to drag the other team across a marked line.

This game promotes physical strength, teamwork, and strategy as players coordinate their efforts to out-pull their opponents.

Tug-of-War is typically played outdoors and is a staple at school sports days, summer camps, and picnics.

15. Bob the Weasel

In Bob the Weasel, players sit or stand in a circle and secretly pass a small object behind their backs. One child stands in the middle as “Bob” and tries to guess who has the object. 

The game enhances observation and stealth as the players try to pass the object without being noticed. 

Bob the Weasel is a fun and engaging way to develop children’s attention to detail and quick thinking.

16. Three Things Theater

Three Things Theater game involves groups of kids being given three random items and a few minutes to come up with a skit or song incorporating those items.

This game boosts creativity, public speaking, and teamwork as kids collaborate to create and perform their piece. 

After each group presents, they select the next participants, keeping the activity dynamic and engaging. 

17. Hot and Cold

Hot and Cold is a fun and simple game where one player, the “finder,” steps out of the room while the rest of the group hides an object.

When the finder returns, they search for the object guided by the group’s clues of “hot” (close) or “cold” (far). 

This game helps develop listening skills and spatial awareness as players give and interpret clues. 

18. Get to Know You Balloons

Get to Know You Balloons is a great icebreaker game where kids write questions on slips of paper, place them inside balloons, blow them up, and tie them.

The balloons are then tossed around, and each child grabs one, pops it, and answers the question inside.

This activity helps kids learn more about each other in a fun and interactive way, fostering social skills and new friendships.

19. Flower Finding

In Flower Finding, two children stand facing each other with their hands clasped and raised to form a “roof.” The other kids walk under the roof while singing a song about finding a flower. 

When the song ends, the roof comes down to catch one of the children underneath, who then takes a turn as one of the catchers.

This game promotes fun, physical activity, and coordination as kids play and sing together. 

20. Wheelbarrow Race

Wheelbarrow Race is a classic outdoor game where kids pair up, with one acting as the “wheelbarrow” and the other as the “pusher.” 

The wheelbarrow walks on their hands while the pusher holds their legs and guides them through a racecourse.

This game enhances physical coordination, strength, and teamwork as pairs work together to navigate the course.

21. Cartwheel Race

The Cartwheel Race is a high-energy game where kids compete by performing cartwheels to reach the finish line. 

This game is excellent for improving physical fitness and agility. To start, mark a clear start and finish line. 

Participants line up at the starting point, and at the signal, they perform cartwheels as quickly as possible towards the finish line. 

The first child to cross the finish line wins. This game provides a fun way to exercise and helps develop coordination and balance.

22. No Hands Get Up

In this game, kids run to a designated point, lie down on their backs, fold their hands across their chest, and then get up without using their hands. After standing up, they run back to the starting line. 

The first child to complete the task wins. This activity tests kids’ core strength and balance as they figure out how to rise without the aid of their hands. 

It’s an excellent way to engage kids in a physical task that encourages problem-solving and body awareness.

23. Cotton Ball Race

In the Cotton Ball Race each child receives a cotton ball and some Vaseline applied to their nose. The objective is to transfer the cotton ball from one bowl to another using only their nose. 

To start, kids dip their noses in Vaseline, stick a cotton ball to it, and crawl to the opposite bowl to deposit the cotton ball. 

They must then return for another cotton ball. The game can be played individually or in teams.

24. Snakes

Snakes is a trust-building game where kids, blindfolded, form a line by placing their hands on the shoulders of the person in front of them.

The last person in the line remains unblindfolded and guides the rest without verbal communication. 

The objective is to collect soft objects scattered around the play area and deposit them in a bucket. The sighted leader can only use non-verbal cues like gentle pushes or taps to guide the line. 

25. Pop a Bag Race

In the Pop a Bag Race each child receives a small paper bag, which they place on the ground. At the signal, they race to sit on their bag and pop it. 

The first child to pop their bag by sitting on it wins. This game can be played individually or in teams, with team members taking turns popping bags in a relay format. 

It’s an exciting game that kids find hilarious and enjoyable, making it perfect for birthday parties, school events, or family gatherings.

26. Consecutive Jumps

Consecutive Jumps is a straightforward game that focuses on enhancing coordination and physical fitness. 

Kids are instructed to perform jumps in a specific pattern or sequence, such as jumping jacks, hopscotch, or two-footed jumps. 

The objective is to complete the sequence without breaking the rhythm. This game can be played as a timed challenge or a race.

27. The 100 Inch Dash

The 100 Inch Dash is a unique and fun race that promotes patience and precision. To set up, measure and mark a 100-inch course on the ground.

Kids line up at the start, and at the signal, they move forward using only baby steps—each step must be exactly one inch.

The first child to cross the finish line wins. This game requires concentration and careful measurement of each step, making it a delightful challenge for kids.