Frisbee Games for Families: Park Day Ideas

A frisbee is the cheapest, lightest piece of sports kit you will ever own. It fits in a buggy basket, costs a few pounds and keeps a whole family running around a park for an hour. The trouble is that “chuck it back and forth” gets boring fast, especially when you have a seven-year-old who can throw and a four-year-old who cannot catch yet. That is where good frisbee games for families come in. Below are my favourite games for park days, from simple target throws for little ones to team games that will have teenagers and parents properly out of breath.

First, learn one good throw

Five minutes on technique makes every game more fun, because the frisbee goes where you want it to.

The backhand throw

1. Stand side-on to your target, throwing shoulder pointing at it.
2. Grip the rim with your thumb on top and fingers curled underneath.
3. Keep the frisbee flat, level with the ground.
4. Bring it across your body towards the opposite hip, then swing your arm out towards the target.
5. Flick the wrist at the end, like cracking a whip, and let go pointing at your partner.

The pancake catch

Teach kids to catch with one hand on top and one underneath, clapping the frisbee between them like a pancake. It is the safest and most reliable catch for beginners.

Tip for small children: start with a soft, flexible frisbee or a fabric flying ring. Hard plastic discs can hurt little hands and faces.

Frisbee games for families with younger kids (3 to 6)

Hoop target

Lay hula hoops or jumpers on the grass at different distances. Kids score points by landing the frisbee inside. Let them stand as close as they need to.

Frisbee bowling

Line up empty plastic bottles as skittles. Roll or slide the frisbee along the ground to knock them over. Great for children who are not ready to throw in the air yet.

Fetch the frisbee

You throw, they run, find it and bring it back. Simple, but it is basically a series of sprints and squats. Little ones love it.

Games for mixed ages (5 to 12)

Frisbee golf

This is my favourite. Choose “holes” around the park: a tree, a bench, a bin or a lamp post. Each player throws from a starting spot and counts how many throws it takes to hit the target. Lowest score after 6 or 9 holes wins.

• Give younger kids a closer starting point (their own “tee”).
• Let little ones carry and drop the frisbee if throwing is too hard.
• Pick targets away from paths, picnics and playgrounds.

A round of frisbee golf has the whole family walking, throwing and chatting for 30 to 45 minutes without anyone realising it is exercise.

Frisbee 21

Two teams stand a few metres apart. Teams take turns throwing. You score 1 point for a one-handed catch, 2 for a pancake catch with a dive (on soft grass only) and 3 for a catch behind your back. First to 21 wins. Change the scores to suit your kids.

Keep away (piggy in the middle)

Two players throw the frisbee to each other while a third player in the middle tries to intercept it. If the middle player catches it, they swap with the thrower. Lots of jumping and quick turns.

Frisbee relay

Teams line up. The first player runs to a cone, throws the frisbee back to their team, and the next player must catch it before running out. Keep going until everyone has had a turn.

Games for older kids, teens and parents

Mini ultimate

Ultimate frisbee is a proper team sport and a brilliant workout. Simplified family rules:

• Two teams, two end zones marked with jumpers.
• Score by catching the frisbee in the end zone.
• You cannot run while holding the frisbee. Pass it to move it up the field.
• If the frisbee is dropped or intercepted, the other team takes over.
• No contact. Defenders must stay an arm’s length away.

Play 5-minute halves for younger players and longer for teenagers. If you get hooked, read my post on ultimate frisbee for single parents for how adults can take it further.

Distance challenge

Everyone throws from the same line. Mark each throw with a sock or a stick. Best of three wins. Older kids will love trying to beat a parent.

Turn the park trip into a workout for you

Running for a frisbee is great cardio. But you can add a little more for yourself while the kids play:

• Every dropped catch = 5 squats (for whoever dropped it, parents included).
• Retrieve with lunges: walk to fetch the frisbee in walking lunges.
• Frisbee golf penalties: miss the target and do 5 push-ups on the grass.

For more ways to play together outdoors, see my guide to active games for kids in the park.

Where to play near Archway

You need open grass, away from paths and other people. Before you go, check whether the space allows ball games, and always give way to walkers and picnics. Some local ideas are in my round-up of parks in Archway.

Safety tips

• Use soft discs with toddlers and young children.
• Check the grass for holes, glass and dog mess before you play.
• Never throw towards people who are not playing.
• Warm up with a few minutes of jogging and arm swings before team games.
• Wear trainers with grip. Wet grass is slippery.

Where a bootcamp class fits in

Chasing a frisbee for an hour asks a lot of your legs, lungs and shoulders. If you finish a park day feeling stiff or out of breath, regular training will help you keep up. In my classes I mix strength, stamina and mobility so that everyday family activities feel easier. My SYP Recharge energy class is especially good for building that stop-start fitness.

FAQs

What is the best frisbee for kids?

For young children, a soft or flexible disc, or a fabric flying ring. For older kids and teens, a standard plastic frisbee of around 175g is used in ultimate.

How do you play frisbee golf in a park?

Pick a series of targets such as trees or benches. Throw from a starting point and count how many throws it takes to hit each target. The lowest total score wins.

What age can children learn to throw a frisbee?

Many children can start learning a simple backhand throw from about 5. Younger children can enjoy rolling, fetching and target games instead.

Is frisbee good exercise?

Yes. Games like ultimate involve lots of running, changes of direction and jumping. Even casual frisbee keeps you walking, bending and reaching.

Book your first class

If you want to keep up with the kids on park days, come and train with me. SYP Bootcamp runs 45-minute small-group classes in a weatherproof church hall in Archway N19. There are never more than 10 people, all fitness levels are welcome and it costs £15 a class. Book your £15 class here or call or WhatsApp me on 07301 512215. If you and a partner would like to train together with a coach, see my partner personal training sessions.

About the author

Artem Olekhnovych is a personal trainer in Archway and the founder of SYP Fitness and SYP Bootcamp. He has coached clients in Archway, Highgate and across North London for over 10 years, and runs small-group bootcamp classes for busy mums and dads. Read reviews from his 1-1 clients.