Daring Dragons Den – a fun garden game to get kids moving!

In this glorious summer weather,  there’s nothing more I like to do than get out in the garden and play games with the littlies.

Working as a Nursery Nurse, and then as a professional Nanny for many years, I developed rather a few fun games to play when the summer holidays were long, and children got bored easily.

My favourite one I’m sharing with you is such a giggle to play, and what’s fantastic about it is – it doesn’t cost a penny to play! All you need are items from around your home, a couple of children, and lots of energy!

Daring Dragons den

All kids love adventure, and with a little imagination you can create a dragons den right in your garden. I’m not talking little entrepreneurs pitching ideas – I’m talking an awesome, exciting game!

To play Daring Dragons Den you’ll need:

• Bamboo canes or chairs
• A large blanket or sheet
• Large stones (you can paint them if you’re feeling super creative) or soft balls to resemble Dragon eggs (we use small plastic balls)
• A brown jumper/material (to make into a nest shape for the eggs)
• Basket for stealing eggs
• A blindfold

How to make the den

This is very easy, and I’m sure you’ve made dens before. You can either make it tipi style by tying the canes together at the top and fanning out. Or put two chairs, spaced apart, then drape the blanket over as features in our little ‘how to’ movie!

Ensure there is a doorway – you’ll see why soon.

How to make the nest:

Crumple the jumper on the floor (inside the den) into a nest shape, then place your ‘eggs’ inside the nest.

How to play

• Choose someone to be the dragon and someone to be the knight. Now knights usually slay dragons, but in our game, our Knight is no slayer- he or she is just going to steal the eggs, well, they are going to try to! 

• The Dragon is blindfolded, or wears a mask with limited view (easier for very little ones playing) and sits near the eggs in the den. You could make a dragon mask like this one we made here for Chinese New Year.)

• The knight stands a good space away and when you say go, has to get as many of the eggs into his basket in one minute, without being caught.

• To do this he must creep quietly and not be touched by the dragon. If the dragon touches him he has to go back to the start line and start again. This is time consuming and he only has a minute!

• The dragon cannot run after the Knight, or sit over the eggs or too close, but he can wave his arms about (and even roar if he likes!)

• When the minute is up – count the eggs!

• Then it’s time to swap characters and see if they can beat eachothers score.

This game is exhausting! It takes skill, balance, and fast running and creates a world of imagination and giggles. What’s great is grown ups can join in too – I’ve played the dragon many times, making the children scream excitedly when I touched their arm as they almost got an egg! It’s a really fun way of getting kids moving, and moving together as a family!

You can swap and change the game to suit you – if you want to let the dragon chase the knight to get his eggs back, then do it without blindfolds to avoid accidents!

Daring Dragons den can be played from as young as 2 with a little help (Oz loves this game and screams as Betsy chases him!) I’ve also played this game with much older children who love the competitiveness of the game!

Remember in this warm weather to keep children hydrated and to have lots of breaks too.

This sponsored post is part of my role a ‘Move’ ambassador for The Family Wellbeing index with Actimel.

The Family Wellbeing Index is a great way of getting an insight into your Family Wellbeing, because knowing your family’s Wellbeing Index is a first step to understanding how to boost it.

There are Six main areas covered these being, Eat, Play, Connect, Move, Learn and Give. Why not head on over to check them out?!