Pogo Stick Games for Kids to Play Outdoors

Kids love to jump and these pogo stick games are the perfect way to get them moving outdoors to burn off energy and have fun.

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This post was originally published on One Mama’s Daily Drama in 2015.

Most kids love jumping and bouncing. Our kids like trampolines and will even just jump on the ground – and of course, the bed.

If you’ve got a kid who’s always moving, they’ll absolutely love a pogo stick. It is easy to learn and your child can even use it to play a few pogo stick games.

Why a pogo stick

If the idea of buying a trampoline sounds dangerous and expensive, a pogo stick is a great solution. (Plus, a pogo stick is much easier to store.) Your child should still be supervised when jumping. But it’s a lot closer to the ground and the jumper has a lot more control. Add a helmet for ultimate safety.

Most pogo sticks are labeled with a weight range, so pick one that your child can use for at least a few years. Pogo sticks are a great energy-burning activity for kids.

How to choose a pogo stick

Choose a pogo stick that is appropriate for your child now, but one that they also won’t outgrow in less than a year. That means skipping interests, like a certain trend or character, that might not be beloved as your child grows. It also means safety!

If you’re shopping for a pogo stick for your child, it’s important to check all the manufacturer’s information. Most should include the pogo stick’s recommended age range, as well as the height and weight range.

Games for pogo sticks

Our pogo stick games are simple. All you need is a pogo stick and a few other basic kid items that you probably already have at home. You’ll probably notice that many of these are classic kid games with a pogo stick added. Sometimes simple fun is the best.

1. Hopscotch

Draw a classic hopscotch board on the sidewalk with chalk, numbering the squares. Toss a pebble or bean bag onto the board. Jump on the pogo stick through the numbers, skipping the one with the pebble on it, just like you would if you were jumping on the ground. When you get to the end, turn around and hop back.

Refresh your memory on hopscotch rules.

2. Obstacle course

Once your jumper has gotten pretty good and bouncing for a while without falling off, set up an obstacle course route. It can be as simple as hopping down the sidewalk, around a tree, and back to a home base.

For something more elaborate, set out hula hoops and soccer cones, or draw a course with chalk for a little bit more of a challenge. (To be safe, never jump on a pogo stick on top of something else!)

3. Jump rope rhymes

For this one, the jumper just sings a jump rope rhyme song while bouncing on the pogo stick instead of jumping rope. Just like in a jump rope game, the goal is to jump in rhythm with the song and make it all the way to the end without missing or stopping.

Learn a few classic jump rope rhymes.

4. Simon Says

This is a good 2-person game that comes in handy when they are sharing one pogo stick. The kids take turns being Simon and the pogo jumper.

Simon gives instructions, just like in the traditional version of the game. The jumper performs the tricks but has to remember to only do what Simon says.

For example, Simon says to hop 3 times and count out loud. If Simon doesn’t say ‘Simon says…,’ the jumper is out. When the jumper makes a mistake, the kids switch places.

5. Copy Cat

This is another two or more person game. One person does a trick on the pogo stick and the second has to copy them and do the same thing. If the second person does it correctly, it is his/her turn to do a trick. The first person then copies that trick and if correct, does a new trick.

The idea is to start out with something simple and then progress to harder tricks. The first person to forget or make a mistake is out. The winner is the last person hopping.

More fun ideas from Backyard Summer Camp:

• 21 Backyard Games You Can Make and Play
• 14 Backyard Gardening Activities for Kids
• 12 Jump Rope Games & Outdoor Activities