September 7, 2022 //  by Christina Swiontek

In today's world, it is more important than ever to encourage middle school students to put their devices down and enjoy the great outdoors. However, middle school students probably will not want to just go outside and play without an organized activity or event going on. There are many activities that can be planned for this age group to explore problem-solving, creativity, and critical thinking. These activities are fun, and enjoyable, and will have your students socializing with peers.

The game Chasey Loo is sure to keep your young teen active. The goal is to run from your opponents and catch them before they make it to their home base. This is a fun game that is sure to get the heart pumping.

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Spikeball is a thrilling game that is a mix between volleyball and foursquare. It comes with a hula hoop-sized net and is portable to take with you anywhere you'd like to play.

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Balloon Down is a fun backyard game that consists of aiming footballs at different valued balloons to get the highest score. Middle School students will love this game if they are competitive and like to have fun.

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This fun game of soda bottle toss is exactly how it sounds. You will just need a few rings and some plastic bottles to set up. The kids will toss the rings to try to catch the soda bottles. The one who hooks the most rings on the bottles wins!

Middle school students will have a blast with an outdoor scavenger hunt. The kids could work together in teams and compete against one another to complete all the assigned tasks. This activity will promote teamwork while having fun and solving clues.

Ice excavation is one of my favorite science games for kids of all ages. It is so much fun to freeze all types of objects and then carve them out. This will keep middle schoolers curious and occupied for hours. The bigger the tower, the better!

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Making solar s'mores can be a tasty outdoor science activity. Simply follow these steps to make your own natural oven to bake delicious s'mores. Just make sure the weather is warm and perfect for baking!

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Another awesome outdoor experiment is making a sundial. This fun activity could be a science and social studies lesson in one.  You can even do this on school grounds with step-by-step instructions for kids to follow.

Red Light, Green Light is a basic game that has been popular for decades. This outdoor game can be played in a big yard or baseball field where there is plenty of open space.  Kids will get a good workout with this game as there will be plenty of running.

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The game Five Dollars, or "500" to some, uses many different types of balls. You can use a volleyball, tennis ball, soccer ball, or any other types of assorted balls. You can incorporate math by having the students add up the values for some mental math practice.

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Kick the Can is a fun outdoor game. You will need at least four players and an open space to play. It is like hide-and-seek, tag, and capture the flag all in one. I love this game because it requires critical thinking and strategy.

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Kickball is one of my favorite competitive games. Middle school students will love to play kickball at recess or with their neighborhood friends after school. By playing kickball, students will learn about teamwork and making quick decisions. You can also play this activity indoors in an open gymnasium.

Wiffle ball is one of the most fun kids' activities! You just need a ball, bat, playing field, bases, and enough kids to play!  It is the perfect game to release all of that middle school energy. Wiffle ball also makes an amazing field day activity.

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If you are looking for a science project that middle school students can do outside, you may want to try this water balloon science project. It is an outdoor activity that students will enjoy. You will just need a bucket of water balloons, a marker, various liquids, and a syringe.

Did you know there are many different games to play with a basketball? Check out these basketball games. All you need is a basketball, a basketball hoop, and a court or playing area. I was surprised to learn there are so many fun versions of basketball. Try them all!

An egg and spoon race just might be the competitive game your students will love. It can count as a science game, too! The kids will quickly develop a strategy and learn from their mistakes along the way.

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If your middle schooler loves jump rope games, they are in luck! There are endless amounts of activities you can play with a jump rope. With this outdoor game, you can play with friends or on your own. All you need is a jump rope!

If your middle schooler is into crafting and art projects, they will love this paper plate flower craft. I absolutely love these bright and beautiful art pieces. You would never know it is made out of a paper plate just by looking at it.

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There are many different variations of playing hide and seek. These variations include object hide-and-seek, water gun hide-and-seek, hide the teddy, and so many more. If your middle schooler thinks they are too old for hide-and-seek, tell them to guess again!

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Obstacle courses are an excellent way for kids to practice their gross motor skills, as well as mental and physical determination. They will learn to push themselves to accomplish a goal and the importance of not giving up. Successful completion of an obstacle course also gives a boost of confidence.

Cornhole is a great outdoor game for middle school students. It is one of the best cooperative activities to teach students about teamwork. You can't win this game solo, and it is important to cheer on your teammate and work together.

Frisbee tic-tac-toe is a fun game for middle school kids. They can play this outside or in a gymnasium with open space. You simply lay the tape down to create a tic-tac-toe board and then aim the frisbee accordingly. The first person to get three in a row wins!

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Who knew you could have so much fun with a roll of toilet paper?  To play toilet paper toss, simply aim the toilet paper roll in the box. The person who throws the most rolls in successfully wins the game.

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Backyard bowling is a great way to relieve stress at home. After a long day of school, your middle school student will love to let off some steam by knocking down the bowling pins. I love the idea of making your own backyard bowling alley.