9 Family Games for Your Backyard Olympics

Creating your own family Olympic Games is a fantastic way to unite everyone for fun, physical activity (and a little friendly competition). Inspired by PBS KIDS shows and real Olympic games, these activities will get everyone moving and help kids develop perseverance and courage as they strive to achieve their goals.

Here are 9 exciting backyard activities to get your family Olympic Games started!

Dance and gymnastics are thrilling Olympic events that require practice, creativity, and lots of movement. New to the 2024 Olympics, breakdancing blends athletic skill with artistic expression. Watch the “Alma’s Way” episode “Alma the B-Girl” to inspire dance moves and get your family moving together!

1. Freeze Dance: When doing the floor exercise, artistic gymnasts combine different steps and hold different poses before they go into their next move. Practice moving and posing by competing in a freeze dance game with your family. Pick a few songs to get started. Remind your family that they are supposed to stop dancing when the music stops. Anyone who is still dancing is out and joins the family DJ off the dance floor.

2. Ribbon Dance: Rhythmic gymnasts use four different objects — ribbon, hoop, ball and clubs — as they move their bodies in short routines. Create colorful ribbons from old scarves or fabric. Invite each family member to pick a song to perform their ribbon dance to. Family members can choose to move their entire bodies along with the ribbon or they can wave the ribbon into different shapes. At the end, celebrate everyone’s creative choices!

3. Hopscotch Gymnastics: Gymnasts sometimes leap or hop before they do a move in their routine. Draw a hopscotch grid and mark each square with a different shape, like a star or triangle. Determine what move you’ll do when you land on each shape, such as stretching your arms over your head and touching your toes or doing a funny dance. Turn on some music before you begin — it might inspire creative moves! Toss a stone or other small object to a square and hop to the square it lands in. Do the move that matches the shape. Congratulate everyone when they reach the end.

Team sports are a staple of the Olympics and are perfect for your family Olympic Games. These fun backyard activities teach teamwork, strategy, and perseverance. Watch the “Donkey Hodie” episode "Bongolympics" to inspire your team to keep trying to reach a goal as you play.

1. Family Relay Race: Olympic relay racers cooperate to move an object from the starting line to the finish line — as fast as they can. Organize your own family relay race using a small household item like a wooden spoon or favorite stuffie as a baton. Add fun challenges like hopping or balancing to make it more exciting.

2. Soccer (also known as Football): Footballers from all over the world will compete in the Olympic games — but you can play at home too! Set up a mini soccer field in your backyard or park. You can use a net or mark your own goals using filled up water bottles or soft cones. Divide your family into teams and play a friendly match. “Arthur” episodes like “Arthur Makes the Team” or “Look What I Can Do” from “Elinor Wonders Why” can inspire kids to work together to solve problems.

3. Balloon Volleyball: The goal of volleyball is to hit a ball over a net so that the other team can’t hit it back. Practice strategizing with your family by playing volleyball with a balloon or beach ball. This fun switch makes it easier for younger kids to play and promotes quick reflexes and teamwork.

Water sports will add a refreshing twist to your family's Olympic Games. Activities like swimming and water games teach kids about perseverance and bravery as they explore new challenges. Watch the “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” “Safety at the Beach” episode to learn about water safety and then explore a few of these water activities with your family!

1. Water Obstacle Course: In the individual medley event for Olympic swimming, swimmers use four different strokes in one race. Create your own water obstacle course inspired by this idea. Set up a course with sprinklers, water buckets, or small pools. Family members can race through it, combining speed and strength in a water-filled challenge. Grab a timer to track the times!

2. Water Ballet: Artistic swimmers move their bodies to music in a pool as a team or a duet with two people. Fill a bin or small pool with water (or use your bathtub). Sit outside of the water with your feet or arms in the water. Then, move your legs or arms in sync with a partner. Create a routine and then perform it in front of family and friends.

3. Sailboat Race: Olympic sailers use wind to move their boats across the water. Get inspired by the “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” game “Build-A-Boat” and make a boat out of materials you have around the house. FIll a long, flat bin, small pool or bathtub with water and see who’s boat can reach the finish line. Or start by seeing which boat floats first!

Explore more fun activities and games on the PBS KIDS for Parents website to keep the Olympic spirit alive at home. Let the games begin!