Garden Games for Kids: Cheap Ideas for Small Gardens

London gardens are small. Some of us have a strip of grass the size of a bath mat, some share a communal garden with a dozen flats, and some just have a yard and a few pots. You do not need a big lawn or an expensive swingball set to keep children busy outside. These garden games for kids cost almost nothing, fit in tight spaces, and get the whole family moving.

I coach busy parents in Archway, and the families who stay active are usually the ones who make it easy. Keep a “games box” by the back door with a few cheap bits in it, and you are always five minutes away from an hour of fun.

Your cheap garden games kit

Most of this you already own. The rest costs very little.

• A soft ball and a tennis ball
• Pavement chalk
• A few plastic cups or empty plastic bottles
• Bean bags, or rolled-up socks
• A washing basket or bucket
• A skipping rope
• A timer (your phone)

Garden games for kids in small spaces

Target throws

Draw three chalk circles on the patio, or put three buckets at different distances. Close is 1 point, middle is 3 points, far is 5. Each player throws three bean bags. Add up the score. Younger kids can stand closer. Great for hand-eye coordination and it works in a tiny space.

Bottle skittles

Set up six empty plastic bottles (add a little water to make them harder to knock over). Roll a ball from a chalk line. Count how many fall. Older kids can try underarm throws or kicks instead.

Tennis ball tether (the swingball alternative)

No swingball? Put a tennis ball in an old pair of tights, tie it to a washing line or a sturdy branch so it hangs at chest height, and take turns hitting it with your hand or a small bat. Keep the area clear of faces and windows, and supervise younger children. It is surprisingly addictive.

Chalk hopscotch and beyond

Classic hopscotch is still brilliant. Once they have mastered it, draw a “chalk agility ladder” of squares and call out patterns: two feet in each square, one foot, side steps, in and out. You can also draw a big clock face and call out numbers for them to jump to.

Shark attack

Draw “islands” with chalk or lay down a few towels. One person is the shark. Everyone else hops between islands. If the shark tags you while you are off an island, you become the shark. Fast, silly and great cardio.

Cup stack race

Put a stack of plastic cups at one end of the garden. Kids run, stack one cup, run back, high five the next person. First team to build a full pyramid wins. Ideal for small groups and birthday parties in shared gardens.

Wheelbarrow and crab races

No kit at all. Hold your child’s ankles (or let them hold a sibling’s) and race to the fence on hands. Then crab walk back. These are proper strength moves dressed up as a game.

Wet sponge relay (summer only)

Two buckets, one full of water, one empty, at opposite ends of the garden. Kids carry a soaked sponge from one to the other and squeeze it out. Fill the empty bucket first to win. Expect soaking parents.

Games for shared and communal gardens

If you share outdoor space, the trick is to keep games contained, quiet-ish and tidy.

• Stick to soft balls and bean bags, not footballs.
• Choose games that stay in one area, like target throws, hopscotch and skittles.
• Check the building rules about chalk, water and play times.
• Invite the neighbours’ kids. Communal gardens are perfect for making friends.
• Pack everything back in the box when you are done.

If you have no outside space at all, take the box to the park. My guide to active games for kids in the park has more ideas that need a bit more room.

A 30-minute garden games session

If you want a plan, try this mix. It keeps the energy up and gives a calmer moment in the middle.

1. Shark attack (5 minutes): a fast start to burn off energy.
2. Target throws (5 minutes): a calmer focus game.
3. Chalk ladder (5 minutes): parents call the patterns.
4. Bottle skittles (5 minutes): everyone gets three goes.
5. Wheelbarrow and crab races (5 minutes): strength time.
6. Cup stack race (5 minutes): finish with a team challenge.

The NHS says children and young people should aim for an average of at least 60 minutes of moderate or vigorous activity a day across the week. You can read the NHS physical activity guidelines for children and young people. Half an hour in the garden after school is a big chunk of that.

If you have a bit more space, try my garden obstacle course ideas, or put on a full family sports day at home.

Where a bootcamp class fits

Being the referee, the shark, the scorer and the person who fetches the ball from next door is tiring. But it is not quite the same as training for yourself. Parents need their own time to move, without being interrupted every 30 seconds.

My SYP Release stress relief class is 45 minutes of pad work and slam balls. After a week of refereeing sibling arguments, you might find it very satisfying.

FAQs

What are good garden games for small gardens?

Target throws, bottle skittles, hopscotch and cup stacking all fit in small spaces because they do not need much running room. Use soft balls and bean bags so nothing ends up over the fence.

What is a cheap alternative to swingball?

A tennis ball inside an old pair of tights, tied to a washing line or branch, makes a simple tether ball. Keep it at chest height and supervise younger children.

How do I keep kids entertained in the garden without spending money?

Use what you have: chalk, cups, bottles, socks and a ball. Rotate games every five minutes and let the kids invent their own rules.

What garden games work for mixed ages?

Target throws and skittles work well because younger children can stand closer. Team games like cup stack races let big and little kids play together.

Book your first class

When the garden games are over and you want something for you, come along to a class. SYP Bootcamp runs 45-minute small-group classes indoors in a church hall in Archway N19, so the weather never stops us. Max 10 people, all fitness levels, £15 a class. Book your £15 class here or call or WhatsApp me on 07301 512215 and the timetable is on its way. If you and your partner want to train together, have a look at partner personal training in Archway.

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.