How to Play Spud

Spud is definitely on my top 10 list of games to play with a large group of children in an outdoor space or indoor gym. All you need is a soft ball to toss around and one adult or child who is not playing.  To start, the person who is not playing, whispers a number into each player's ear.  If you have 8 people playing you will whisper any number between 1-10.  If you have 10 playing whisper any number between 1-12.  Once you get a number do NOT tell your number to anyone.  There will be two leftover numbers which are called ghost numbers.

One player is 'IT' and will start with the ball.  Everyone stands in a circle around the player with the ball.  The player throws the ball up into the air and calls a number. Everyone runs away unless it is your number that was called.  

If your number was called, you grab the ball as fast as you possibly can and yell "SPUD."  Once "SPUD" is yelled, everyone must stop running.  The person who grabbed the ball, takes three giant steps towards any player.  This person then throws the ball at the player and the player can NOT move their feet.  You can not throw near the player's head.  If the ball hits the player, the player gets the letter 'S'.  It the player catches the ball, the thrower get the letter 'S'.  

Now, the player who had the ball thrown at him/her is 'IT' and throws the ball in the air, calling a number, yelling "SPUD", taking the three giant steps and throwing the ball at a player.

If the person throwing the ball up calls a ghost number (no one has the number) then the thrower get a letter in SPUD.

If you spell out the word SPUD, you lose.

If you want to make it easier, just call the children's names and don't bother with the numbers.  If the children are running too far away make the boundary lines smaller where they can run.  

Head outdoors and go play SPUD!  

If you need a super, fun low prep group game for indoors try Set the Record.   The Set the Record download is a collection of 25 different finger testing, singing and physical activity challenges.  Pick a challenge and see who can set the record for the fastest, longest, most, shortest and tallest skills! Write down the top scores to keep track of who holds the records for each challenge.  Print as full size pages or smaller cards for travel size. You will need some household items to complete the challenges such as paper, pencils, coins, etc.  Download a free challenge page and try to be the fastest.

Only $1.99.  Add to the shopping cart and check out.  You will receive an email with a link to download the games immediately!

Check out all the other game ideas!

Easter Basket Coupons

Here is an amazing FREE download to mix things up in the Easter basket.  The kids will love playing with you instead of eating candy all day.  All right, maybe they will still want to eat candy all day but... when it is gone they can use the coupons to work off all the candy they ate!

Download the FREE Springtime coupon book at Growing Play.

Pool Noodle Sprinkler

First all sorry it has been so long since my last post. After having our sixth child things have been a little crazy around here. I'm finally getting into more of a routine so hoping to be able to post more often.

When I saw this idea at Teach Preschool at  http://www.teachpreschool.org/2014/06/pool-noodle-water-hose-play/ for a pool noodle sprinkler I knew we had to try it. 

It was so simple to make and the kids really had fun with it. All we did was poke some holes in a pool noodle. At one end of the pool noodle we shoved a bottle cap from a plastic water bottle in to close it off. That's it, attach the hose and you're ready to go. 

I love that the water didn't shoot up that high so it was great for the little ones. Therefore you could just cool off a little bit but you could play with the whole hose and get real wet if you wanted to. 

I give this activity five stars - cheap, fun, quick and good for a large age span. 

Simple Outdoor Tag Game

Here is a simple outdoor tag game for children of all ages.  Similar to Red Light, Green Light but Wolves and Sheep is even easier (and less cheating and arguing). 

How to Play:
1.  Pick one person to be the wolf.  This person stands on one side of the yard.

2.  All the rest of the players are sheep and stand at least 30 feet away from the wolf at a starting line.

3.  The wolf turns his/her back to the sheep so he/she can not see them.  The sheep quietly walk forward towards the wolf.  The sheep try to make it all the way to the wolf without getting tagged.  The wolf can turn around at any time and try to tag sheep.

4.  Once the wolf turns around the sheep have to run back to the starting line as fast as they can.  If the wolf does tag someone that person gets to help the wolf. 

5.  Therefore if one sheep was tagged two people are the wolves now.  The sheep quietly sneak forward again.  The wolves must turn around at the same time and try to tag sheep again.

6.  Keep playing until a sheep tags the wolf or there is only one sheep left.