{"alias":"blogEntry","byline":"Nicola Hilliard, Creative Content Producer","standfirst":"Summer\u2019s the perfect time to take your favourite board games outside. But, what if you can take it one step further and make them giant, wide games? Here are 15 twists on classic board games that you can use to explore the outdoors and have lots of fun with friends.","content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/wdbb3xme/image-of-someone-holding-some-scout-themed-cards-for-cluedo-game-jpeg.jpeg","width":4284,"height":4284,"altText":"Image of someone holding some Scout themed cards in their hand, with a field and trees behind them. There\u0027s three paper cards. One has a purple border, with a picture of a purple tent. One has a pink border and picture of a first aider in green uniform. The last one has a blue border with a picture of two Scout badges on - one badge has a picture of a campfire and the other badge has a picture of a tent.","caption":"Try playing Scouts Cluedo as a giant wide game","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4 class=\u0022p2\u0022\u003E1. Giant Cluedo\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EUse our \u003Ca href=\u0022https://prod-cms.scouts.org.uk//media/uokezv3s/giant-cluedo-scout-themed-cards.pdf\u0022 title=\u0022Giant Cluedo Scout Themed Cards\u0022\u003EScout-themed Cluedo cards\u003C/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https://prod-cms.scouts.org.uk//media/2iud2th1/giant-cluedo-scoresheet.pdf\u0022 title=\u0022Giant Cluedo Scoresheet\u0022\u003Escoresheets\u003C/a\u003E for this wide game to see what\u2019s gone missing from camp. Secretly choosing three Scout Cluedo cards (one from each category - location, person and item) and hide them in an envelope. Hide the remaining cards around the area. Players get into groups, get given Cluedo sheets and need to try and find all the cards. After a set time, call everyone in and see if anyone can work out whodunnit.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch4 class=\u0022p2\u0022\u003E2. Giant Snakes and Ladders\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022p2\u0022\u003EUse masking tape or chalk to create a huge playing area, and let players become the game pieces, throwing dice to move around the board. You could draw ladders or have toy snakes too.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch4 class=\u0022p2\u0022\u003E3. Yahtzee in a Bucket\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022p2\u0022\u003EBring Yahtzee to life by using big foam dice and large buckets. Players can roll the giant dice by throwing them out of the buckets. Keep score just like the traditional game.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/430losg0/nature-build-a-beetel-game.png","width":1080,"height":1080,"altText":"A picture of a beetle made out of natural objects. There is a pebble for the head, six sticks for leaves and a leaf for the body. A helicopter seed is the antenna. It\u0027s placed to look like a beetle on a tree stump. ","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4 class=\u0022p2\u0022\u003E4. Nature Build a Beetle Game\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022p2\u0022\u003ETake inspiration from nature for this creative game. Use sticks, leaves, stones and other natural materials to build your beetle piece by piece. Roll a dice to determine which part to add next. Whoever builds their beetle first, wins!\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch4 class=\u0022p2\u0022\u003E5. Nature Noughts and Crosses\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022p2\u0022\u003EAlso known as Tic Tac Toe, this version uses natural materials. Create a large grid on the ground with sticks or chalk, then use natural objects as the pieces, such as stones and sticks for the X\u2019s and O\u2019s.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch4 class=\u0022p2\u0022\u003E6. Outdoor Scrabble\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022p2\u0022\u003ESet up a giant Scrabble board on the lawn with large letter tiles. You could use sheets of paper or card, or even recycle cereal boxes. Players can spell out words by physically moving the tiles around.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/20444/two-beaver-scouts-running-quickly-across-a-green-field-min.jpg","width":7000,"height":4667,"altText":"Two male Beavers running across a field. They are wearing blue jumpers, one is wearing a yellow neck. They are both smiling.","caption":"Enjoy playing some giant versions of games you already know!","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4 class=\u0022p2\u0022\u003E7. Tic Tac Toe Frisbee\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022p2\u0022\u003ECombine Frisbee with Tic Tac Toe for a fun and active game. Set up a large grid on the ground and use Frisbees as the playing pieces. Players get into groups, then stand at a throwing line. In each group, each person take turns to try and throw their team\u2019s Frisbees into the grid to try and get three in a row.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch4 class=\u0022p2\u0022\u003E8. Human Ring Toss\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022p2\u0022\u003EUse inflatable rings as the rings and have players act as the posts. One person stands still while others try to toss the inflatables onto them.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch4 class=\u0022p2\u0022\u003E9. Picnic Blanket Islands\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022p2\u0022\u003ELay out several picnic blankets around the space as \u2018islands\u2019. Everyone pretends they\u0027re going for a swim in the ocean, and the picnic blankets are islands. The only problem is, sometimes there are sharks in the ocean! Whenever you shout \u2018Sharks!\u2019 each player must step onto the closest island. After everyone is safely and completely on a blanket, ask the group to move around the room again. Anyone not completely on a blanket is out. As they do this, remove one (or more) blanket(s) and repeat the process.\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003EYou\u2019re allowed more than one person per piece of blanket and a person is on an \u2018island\u2019 if no part of their body is touching the surrounding floor. You could also make the islands smaller by folding the blankets.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/arglnptc/nature-tic-tac-toe.jpeg","width":4284,"height":4284,"altText":"A noughts and crosses grid is made out of sticks and on a tree stump. There are three leaves and four pink flowers on the grid. Three flowers have won the game by getting three in the row in a diagonal line from top right to bottom left.","caption":"Try this version of nature\u0027s noughts and crosses","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4 class=\u0022p2\u0022\u003E10. Tic Tac Toe Relay\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022p2\u0022\u003ESet up a large grid at one end of the playing area. Players get into teams, line up by a start line, then take it in turns to run up to the grid and add their X or O to try to get three in a row. You could also use different coloured cones to represent each team. The first team to get three in a row wins.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch4 class=\u0022p2\u0022\u003E11. Musical Sleeping Bags\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022p2\u0022\u003ELay out the sleeping bags in a circle or around the space, then play some tunes. When the music stops, everyone must find a sleeping bag to lie on, sit on or jump into. Anyone not in a sleeping bag at the end of the round is out. Remove one bag each round until there\u2019s a winner.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch4 class=\u0022p2\u0022\u003E12. Human Battleships\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022p2\u0022\u003ETurn your friends into battleships in this \u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/human-battleships/\u0022 title=\u0022Human battleships\u0022\u003Elife-sized version of the classic game\u003C/a\u003E. Use a grid on the ground to represent the ocean, and have players stand in the spaces or lie down to act as ships. Call out coordinates to \u2018hit\u2019 the ships and sink your opponent\u2019s fleet.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/20789/db-20220921-1942-45316.jpg","width":7000,"height":4667,"altText":"Smiling Squirrel in a red t-shirt and yellow necker running through a field.","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4 class=\u0022p2\u0022\u003E13. Life-Size Angry Birds\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022p2\u0022\u003ECreate a real-life version of Angry Birds using cardboard boxes for the structures and balls or plush toys as the birds. Each box or bird could be worth a certain number of points. Take turns throwing the birds to try to knock down the boxes. Use \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scoutadventures.org.uk/sites/default/files/2021-09/AngryBirds-SelfledInstructions.pdf\u0022\u003EScout Adventures\u2019 guide\u003C/a\u003E to help you.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch4 class=\u0022p2\u0022\u003E14. Human Skittles\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022p2\u0022\u003ESet up a giant bowling alley with players acting as the skittles. Use a soft, large foam ball to roll down the \u2018alley\u2019 and try to tap as many people as possible. Anyone who\u2019s tapped can crouch down or step off the playing area. The person who taps the most people in three tries, wins.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch4 class=\u0022p2\u0022\u003E15. Human Football Table\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022p2\u0022\u003ECreate a human-sized Foosball game by getting players to line up in threes and hold a skipping rope or pole between them to restrict player movement, just like the rods in a Foosball table. Players can only move side-to-side and must work together to score goals. It\u2019s a fantastic team game that\u2019s sure to be a hit.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAll activities in Scouts must be safely managed. It\u2019s important to choose an appropriate, accessible outdoor area. You may need to think about avoiding steps, being close to public transport, or steep gradients or including frequent breaks. You must have permission to use the location.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou must complete a thorough\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/risk-assessments/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Risk assessments\u0022\u003Erisk assessment\u003C/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. You should use our\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/safe-scouting-cards/staying-safe-safety-checklist/staying-safe-leaders/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Staying Safe - Leaders\u0022\u003Esafety checklist\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Take a look at our guidance to help you carry out your\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/risk-assessments/\u0022 title=\u0022Risk assessments\u0022 class=\u0022Hyperlink SCXW181642174 BCX4\u0022\u003Erisk assessment\u003C/a\u003E, including examples.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAlways get\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/information-for-volunteers/general-activity-guidance/approving-activities-guidance-for-commissioners/\u0022 title=\u0022Approving Activities - Guidance for Commissioners\u0022\u003Eapproval for the activity\u003C/a\u003E, and have suitable\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/safety/planning-and-assessing-risk/guidance-for-supervision-of-activities/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Guidance for supervision of activities\u0022\u003Esupervision\u003C/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;and an\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-your-section/intouch/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022InTouch\u0022\u003EInTouch\u003C/a\u003E process. You may need some parents and carers to help.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAlways check the weather forecast, tide times and sunset before running the activity.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou should inform parents and carers of any change in venue, days or times, and have a suitable drop-off/collection point. You could use our\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/information-for-volunteers/general-activity-guidance/activity-information-form/\u0022 title=\u0022Activity information form\u0022\u003Eactivity information forms\u003C/a\u003E, and always make sure everyone knows what people should bring and wear.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EBefore playing a wide game, there are some things you need to do to help keep everybody safe and make sure everyone can be included. Take a look at our advice on \u003Ca href=\u0022#\u0022 title=\u0022Running active games safely\u0022\u003Erunning active games safely and accessibly\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022p2\u0022\u003EWhen \u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/pioneering/\u0022 title=\u0022Pioneering\u0022\u003Epioneering\u003C/a\u003E, be careful when moving poles or long items, especially if the ends are sharp, and never lift or move heavy or awkward items alone. Ask for help or, if possible, break them down into smaller parts.\u003C/p\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#ffe627","title":"Staying safe","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":null,"pageType":null,"location":null,"versionDate":"25 September 2024","reviewDate":null,"furtherReading":[{"caption":"","title":"Take a look at more activities","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities","newWindow":true},{"caption":"","title":"Get involved in Outdoor in 24","url":null,"newWindow":true},{"caption":"","title":"Staying safe","url":"/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/","newWindow":true}],"relatedLinks":[{"caption":"","title":"Play some parachute games","url":"/news/2023/november/17-quick-and-easy-parachute-games-to-play/","newWindow":true},{"caption":"","title":"Try some wide games","url":"/news/2023/june/9-wide-games-to-get-everyone-up-and-moving/","newWindow":true},{"caption":"","title":"Play some circle games","url":"/news/2023/april/15-quick-and-easy-circle-games-to-help-fill-time/","newWindow":true}],"id":80262,"nodeName":"15 brilliant board games to bring to life outside","title":"15 brilliant board games to bring to life outside","type":"blogEntry","image":{"url":"/media/20436/a-girl-beaver-scout-with-her-mouth-open-wide-and-looking-excited-while-playing-a-game-on-a-fieldmin.jpg?cc=0,0.08937567529254682,0,0.0669345882600567\u0026width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1dae19824566010","caption":"Beaver smiling looking excited while playing game outside","type":"jpg","size":1685578,"width":7000,"height":4667,"altText":"A Beaver in a blue uniform and yellow necker smiles widely while playing a game outside"},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"15 brilliant board games to bring to life outside","headerSubTitle":null,"headerCta":null,"headerCtaText":null,"headerCtaLink":null,"headerBackgroundColour":null,"showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":null},"subHeader":"Here are 15 twists on classic board games that you can use to explore the outdoors and have lots of fun with friends.","browserTitle":null,"silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC84MDI2MiJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2024/september/15-brilliant-board-games-to-bring-to-life-outside/"}