Healthy Holidays: top games to play in the park

As part of ITV News Central's Healthy Holidays series, here are some ideas from Sporting Communities for games you can play in the park as a family.

• Tag

In its most simple form, tap someone gently on the shoulder, they are now "on" and must do the same to others.

In the "toilet flush" variation, once someone has been tagged they must assume this position:

To be freed, someone must sit on their knee and "flush the toilet" by pressing their arm.

In the "bib collector" variation, everyone has a bib or t-shirt tucked into their trousers. The person who is "on" must grab the item of clothing.

• Dog and Bone

You need a ball. Place it in the centre of two teams. Number each member of both teams from one upwards. A number is called, and the two players, one from each team with that number, must rush to the centre to try to retrieve the ball first and return to their side. Points can be obtained if a player tags their rival number before they retreat to their safety zone with the ball.

• Chipped, cracked and broken

Throw the ball to each other. Every time someone drops the ball they must lose an arm, then go down on one knee, then two knees, then lose the other arm, leaving just their chin to catch the ball with. Gain the limbs back as you catch the ball.

• Double dutch

Two people take the ends of a skipping rope and spin it round. Set challenges for a third person like touching the ground, singing, or clapping while skipping.

• Keys to the castle

Blind fold someone sitting on a chair. Place some keys under the chair. Everyone sits around the "castle". A chosen person must creep around the chair and try to retrieve the keys without making a loud noise prompting the person on the chair to identify their location.

• Wink murder

You have one murderer and one detective. Everyone knows who the murderer is except the detective. The murderer must wink at everyone in turn (they must die dramatically) and the detective has to guess the murderer.

• Giants, wizards and elves

This involves three actions - like rock, paper, scissors - with some actions beating others.

Giant

Wizard

Elf

Wizards can beat giants because the wizards can zap them.Elves can beat wizards because they're very quick.Giants can squash the elves because they are tiny.At an agreed time, you both assume a position.

• Death valley

You have to make it to the other side without being hit by the ball. Shots below the neck only. If there are lots of people, the thrower can decide who runs at a time ie "anyone wearing blue". If you get hit, you become a thrower.

• Capture the flag

• This is more advanced - watch the video to see how it works.

Follow these safety tips from Sporting Communities if you're heading out to the park.

• Find an open space free of obstructions where you can see the children at all times.

• Set boundaries either using trees or furniture like benches, use jumpers, or buy cones.

• Know the consequences of the game you've chosen - will your child be hiding and hard to find? Or at risk of hurting themselves doing a physical activity?