Outside games for children in the winter

[houseinthesnow]

We are doing all of our christmas entertaining outside, and have decided to see absolutely no one inside this year.

Our plan is to have mulled wine and hot drinks around the fire pit for an hour or so with carols and christmas music on the speaker and roasting marshmallows, and for the children to play outside - everything is weather dependant but fortunately everyone seems very flexible.

Can you suggest any games they could play - it will be dark - although the garden will be lit very well with fairy lights. They will be dressed in full ski wear to stay warm. I have ages 2-15.

I am most worried about the teens. So far I have come up with a christmas treasure hunt. Hiding bags of chocolate money in the garden, and they all bring torches....I have sparklers and a small box of toddler friendly fireworks for the end.

Chocolate coin hunt with written clues. The teenagers will probably entertain themselves look bored in the corner

Ha clearly I didn't read your last paragraph

The teens will probably prefer standing around talking with the adults rather than playing games outside. Or they will entertain themselves by standing around playing on their phones
Honestly, I don’t think you need to organise ‘games’ for teenagers.
It all sounds lovely though op.

So do I just leave the teens to shuffle around awkwardly and focus on the younger ones. Maybe give teens jobs to help perhaps?

Yes, depending on the teens and levels of eye rolling, I would ask them to help with various jobs!

DD suggested truth or dare

Let the teenagers sort themselves out (or pay them a tenner to keep the younger ones playing peacefully).

Glow stick chasing is fun for the kids, if you don't mind the risk of people falling over - I wouldn't play it in a rocky field for example. When you get caught you have to hand over one glow stick.

It depends a bit on what the teens are like but lots of teens would resent being compelled to do any organised games. I'd let them hang around chatting/entertaining themselves or if they're the kind who enjoy that kind of thing get them involved in helping the little ones.