14 Fun Running Games for Kids to Let Off Steam

Kids are bundles of boundless energy, and sometimes it feels like they have an endless supply of it. So, it is effective to provide them with fun games for kids that involve a lot of running.

Get ready to lace up those sneakers because we've got a treat for you and your little speedsters! In this blog post, we'll discover the best indoor and outdoor running games for kids and learn about their benefits.

Favorite Running Indoor Games for Kids

Let's dive into some cool running games for kids that will create a fun atmosphere at your home and allow your kids to burn off their excess energy when they are stuck indoors.

1. Indoor Scavenger Hunt

This is one of the most effective and fun running games for kids that combines running, problem-solving, and exploration. Suitable for children aged 4 and above, it promotes cognitive skills such as critical thinking, memory, and attention to detail.

Give your kids a list of items they need to find in the house. Let them sprint around the house to find those items. Their objective is to complete the Scavenger Hunt by finding all the items. It's a race against the clock!

2. MentalUP Fitness

Organizing games for kids might only sometimes be possible. Don't worry, MentalUP has got you covered! The scientifically designed learning app, MentalUP, offers hundreds of running games for kids online, as well as practical fitness exercises that will keep kids fit and healthy.

MentalUP continuously assesses kids' physical skills and provides them with exercises tailored to their age, fitness level, and interests. That's why it is one of the most effective learning apps suitable for kids of all ages.

But that's not all! As an app trusted by millions of parents and teachers worldwide, MentalUP does not contain any inappropriate content, enabling kids to expand their skills safely and effectively.

3. Color Tag

This is one of the most energetic and fun running games for kids that can be played indoors. It is great for helping kids to expand their quick thinking and decision-making skills while burning off energy.

Just hide colored face paint around the house and designate one of the kids as the catcher. The objective for the kids is to find the colors and mark their faces without getting caught. The first person to collect all the colors wins.

4. Cone Flipping Race

If you are looking for running games for playing with kids that can improve agility, hand-eye coordination, and concentration, this one is for you.

Set up cones in a straight line. The players start at one end of the line and must run as quickly as possible, flipping each cone upside down as they pass them. The objective is to flip all the cones quickly before reaching the finish line.

5. Land or Water

This is one of the most fun and easy-to-play running indoor games for kids. These kinds of fitness games for kids are suitable for kids of all ages and highly beneficial for cognitive skills like quick decision-making and spatial awareness.

Designate specific areas as either "land" or "water" within one of the rooms. When you call out "land" or "water," the kids must run to the corresponding area as fast as they can. You can switch between calling out the two options rapidly, challenging kids to react swiftly and make split-second choices.

6. Shadow Tag

This is one of the best running fast games for kids. It combines quick-thinking, pattern identification, and teamwork in a fast-paced racing format and can be played all together.

In this version of Tag, players try to tag each other by stepping on their shadows instead of physically touching them. The tagged player becomes "it" and attempts to tag others by stepping on their shadows. The game works best in a room with good lighting.

7. Simon Says

A classic Simon Says game can be one of the best running games for young kids. It is a great game to promote kids’ listening, concentration, and physical coordination skills.

You can take on the role of "Simon" to initiate the game. Begin commands with "Simon says" and remember to provide instructions like "run to the door" or "run to the sofa." If a player follows a command that doesn't start with "Simon says," they are eliminated from the game.

The Best Outdoor Running Games for Kids

Now that we’ve explored the funniest and most effective indoor running games for kids, let’s take a look at some of the best running games for kids outside.

8. Freeze-Warm

Freeze-Warm is one of the most effective cardio running games for middle school kids. It is a great game to foster kids' cognitive and physical skills by challenging them to use their balance and quick thinking skills.

In this game, players appoint a seeker who chases and tags others by saying "Freeze." The frozen players stay still until unfrozen by teammates who say "Warm." If a player gets frozen three times, they become the seeker.

9. Chain Building

Chain Building is one of the most fun grass running games for kids. It promotes physical activity and cognitive benefits such as cooperation, communication, and problem-solving.

This alternative, which is one of the best games to play outside, is easily played with one player designated as the seeker. As the kids run, the seeker tries to tag others, forming a chain by linking hands when someone is tagged. This continues until all the kids are part of the chain.

10. Red Rover

This classic outdoor game might be one of the funniest running race games for kids. Plus, it is a great way to promote both kids' physical and cognitive development.

To play, kids form two teams facing each other, linking hands. The caller from one team calls out a player's name, saying, "Red Rover, Red Rover, send [player's name] right over." The called player runs from their team's line, attempting to break through the linked hands of the opposing team.

11. What is the Time, Mr.Wolf

If you are looking for fun group games for kids with no running, this game is for you. It is a fast-paced game that provides a lot of fun and improves kids listening and quick-thinking skills.

One of the kids acts as the wolf facing the wall while the others stand in a circle. They ask the wolf the time, take steps based on the response, and when the wolf says "Lunchtime," they run back to the circle. If caught, the caught player becomes the new wolf.

12. Fill the Bucket

This is one of the greatest games to make running fun for kids on a hot summer day. It enables kids to practice their time management skills and hand-eye coordination while staying active.

The game aims to fill a bucket with water by running back and forth between a water source and the bucket, using a sponge or cup. The players compete against each other to fill their buckets before the other players.

13. Steal The Bacon

This game is similar to Capture the Flag but offers a higher level of challenge and fun. It provides kids with an adrenaline rush while also enhancing cognitive skills such as memory and attention.

Kids form two teams with players lining up on the sidelines. Each kid is assigned a number. When their number is called out, they run to the bacon (a cone or tape), tap it with their foot, and return to their line. The first player to sit down earns a point, and the team with the most points wins!

14. Red Light, Green Light

This popular kid's game might be one of the safe running games for kids recess. It tests kids' agility, reflexes, and listening skills while keeping them active.

In the game, one player acts as the leader and faces away from the other players. When the leader says "Green Light," the players can move toward them, but they must freeze when the leader says "Red Light." Any player caught moving after "Red Light" is called is out of the game.

Benefits of Running and Jumping Games for Kids

We've already learned some of the benefits of track running games for kids. Now, let's take an in-depth look at all the benefits of these games and how they support kids' physical and cognitive development.

1. Improves Physical Fitness

Running games for kids provide kids with excellent cardiovascular exercise, helping them to develop strength, endurance, and agility. Moreover, these running and jumping games for kids also contribute to healthy weight management by helping kids to burn calories.

While running indoor games for kids are highly beneficial for improving their coordination and endurance skills, outdoor running games also provide them with the opportunity to explore their surroundings and enjoy the benefits of vitamin D, all of which contribute to their overall fitness levels.

2. Supports Cognitive Development

Fun running games for kids play a vital role in supporting cognitive development in children. Whether indoors or outdoors, these games require kids to think on their feet, make quick decisions, and strategize.

By stimulating various mental processes, these games improve kids' memory, reasoning, and problem-solving skills. This skill improvement can translate into personal and academic success for children.

3. Enhances Emotional Well-being

Cool running games for kids provide numerous benefits to kids’ emotional well-being. Physical activity, such as running, stimulates the release of endorphins, which are natural mood-enhancing chemicals.

This helps boost children's mood, reduce stress levels, and alleviate symptoms of anxiety or depression. Participating in outdoor running jumping games for kids also promotes social interaction, as children often play with their peers, fostering a sense of belonging and friendship.

4. Supports Muscle Development

Running games such as Red Rover, Land or Water, and Shadow Tag involve various movements such as running, jumping, hopping, and skipping, which work for different muscle groups.

As kids engage in these running and jumping games for kids, their muscles are continuously challenged and strengthened. Also, these games often incorporate movements that engage the core muscles, such as the abdominal and back muscles, improving stability and posture.

Tips to Choose Games to Make Running Fun for Kids

Not all running race games for kids are the same. If you're struggling to decide which running games are best for your kids, here are some experience-packed tips you might consider:

• Select games that are appropriate for your child's age and physical abilities.
• Choose games that incorporate elements of play and creativity to make running more enjoyable.
• Look for games that encourage collaboration and teamwork among kids.
• Try games that provide a suitable level of challenge for your child's abilities.
• Incorporate fun props or equipment, such as cones or bean bags, to add excitement.
• Adapt games to the available space, whether it's a park, backyard, or indoor area.
• Ask your kids about their interests and preferences to select the best games for them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to encourage your kids to run?

You can encourage your kids to run by making it enjoyable by organizing races, setting up obstacle courses, or turning your home into playgrounds for indoor running games for kids.

Is running recommended for younger kids?

Yes, running is generally recommended for younger kids as it helps promote their physical fitness, coordination, and overall health.

Are there any running games that don’t require a lot of space?

Running games such as Color Tag, Land or Water, and Shadow Tag can be played in small spaces like backyards or living rooms.

What running games are suitable for a range of ages?

A classic game like “Tag” and “Red Light, Green Light,” can be suitable for a range of ages, as they can be adapted to accommodate different levels of speed and agility.

What running games can be played in a large group?

Simon Says, Red Rover, and Chain Building are some of the games that can be played by a large group of kids or students.

What are some running games that require minimal equipment?

Freeze Warm, MentalUP games, Land or Water, and Shadow Tag are some of the games that require minimal or no equipment.

Are there any running games for children that involve teamwork?

Yes, games like Chain Building, Steal the Bacon, and What is the Time, Mr.Wolf can encourage teamwork among children.