Monkey bars are a playground staple, but that doesn’t mean kids have to stick to the same old games and activities. Instead, you can use them for a wide range of fun! Whether your kids want to train their grip strength or just enjoy some outdoor playtime, there are plenty of great funky monkey bar games and activities out there. In this article, we’ll showcase 10 different game ideas that will get your kids on the monkey bars in no time. From classic favorites like tag and “crab walk” to more creative options like tic-tac-toe and obstacle courses, there’s something here for everyone! Read on to find out more.
Why Should Children Play on Monkey Bars?
Monkey bars are a great way for children to exercise and have fun. Here are some of the benefits of playing on funky monkey bar:
Physical exercise: Monkey bars provide an excellent source of physical exercise. They help children build upper body strength and improve coordination.
Improved hand-eye coordination: Children must coordinate their hands and eyes in order to move from one bar to the next. This helps improve hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.
Confidence Building: As children successfully navigate the monkey bars, they build confidence in their physical abilities. This can help boost self-esteem and overall confidence.
Problem-solving skills: Children must figure out how to move from one bar to the next, which helps develop problem-solving skills.
Social interaction: Monkey bars provide an opportunity for children to play and socialize with other children.
Outdoor play: Monkey bars encourage children to play outside, which has numerous benefits for their physical and mental health.
Imagination: Playing on funky monkey bar can inspire children's imagination and creativity as they pretend to be monkeys swinging from tree to tree.
Games and Activities to Play on Monkey Bars
The following are some games and activities kids can do on monkey bars.
Monkey in the Middle
One of the classic monkey bar games is the monkey in the middle. This game is played with three people, with one person in the middle and two people on either side. The object of the game is to pass an object (such as a ball) from one person to the other without letting the person in the middle catch it. This game can be made more difficult by adding more people, or by having the people on either side move closer together.
Hanging Tug of War
Hanging tug of war is a great way to have some fun on the funky monkey bar. All you need is a rope and two people. One person hangs from each end of the rope, and the objective is to pull the other person off of the monkey bars. The game can be played with multiple people as well, with each team having one person hanging from each end of the rope.
Hang Upside Down
There are plenty of fun games and activities that can be played on monkey bars! One of the most popular is to hang upside down. This can be done by either holding onto the bars with your hands or wrapping your legs around the bars.
Hanging upside down is a great way to get some exercise and have some fun at the same time. It is also a great way to improve your grip strength.
Monkey Bars Scavenger Hunt
This is a great game to play with your kids on the funky monkey bars! All you need is a list of items that they need to find and collect while they are playing on the monkey bars. This can be anything from leaves to acorns to pieces of bark. You can even get creative and add in some challenges like how many flips they can do in a row or how long they can hang upside down. The possibilities are endless!
Children's Yoga Flow
The children's yoga flow is a great way to get your kids moving and stretching. It's also a great way to teach them some basic yoga poses. This flow is designed for kids of all ages and abilities.
Start by having your child stand at the base of the monkey bars. Then, have them reach up and grab the bar with both hands. Once they have a good grip, have them lift their feet off the ground and hold themselves up with their arms.
Now, it's time to start flowing! Have your child slowly walk their hands forward, keeping their feet off the ground the entire time. As they move forward, encourage them to stretch their bodies and breathe deeply.
Once they reach the end of the funky monkey bar, have them turn around and walk back to the starting position. As they walk back, they can switch up the yoga poses that they do. For example, instead of reaching up with both hands. They can do a side-angle pose by reaching up with one hand and stretching out the other arm behind them.
Encourage your child to experiment with different yoga poses as they move through this flow. The possibilities are endless!
Monkey Bars Challenge Course
The monkey bars challenge course is a great way to get your kids moving and improve their coordination and strength. This course consists of 10 different obstacles, each more challenging than the last. The first obstacle is the easiest, with the bar set low to the ground. As you progress through the course, the bars get higher and higher off the ground, making it more difficult to reach the next one. The final obstacle is the most challenging, with the bar set all the way up at waist level. If your kids can make it through all 10 obstacles, they’ll be sure to have a blast!
Walking the Plank
When it comes to playing on monkey bars, one of the most popular games is walking the plank. This game is simple yet lots of fun and can be played with two or more people.
To play, all you need is a set of funky monkey bars and something to act as a plank, such as a long piece of wood or a pipe. The object of the game is to walk across the plank without falling off.
If you have more than two people playing, you can make it into a race by dividing the group into teams. The first team to get all of their members across the plank wins!
Walking the plank is a great game for kids of all ages and can be easily modified to make it more challenging for older kids or adults. So next time you're at the playground, give it a try!
King of the Mountain
This is a classic game that can be played with two or more people. The object of the game is to get to the top of the monkey bars and stay there for as long as possible. The person who is able to stay on top the longest is the winner.
- To play, each person must start from one of the lower rungs on the monkey bars.
- The goal is to climb up to the highest rung and then back down again without falling off.
- If you fall off, you must start over from the bottom.
- The first person to reach the top and then back down again is the winner!
Circle of Life
Monkey bars are a great way to get kids active and playing. Here are some fun games and activities that can be played on funky monkey bars:
Circle of Life: This game is a great way to get kids moving and working together. Have the kids stand in a circle around the monkey bars. One child will be at the start of the circle and will swing across the monkey bars. As they reach the other side, they will tag the next child in the circle who will then swing across. The game continues until all children have had a turn swinging across.
Monkey sees, monkey do: This game is a great way to get kids laughing and being silly together. One child will be the leader and will start by doing an action on the monkey bars (ie: hanging upside down, doing a handstand, etc). The rest of the children must copy what the leader does. If anyone falls off or can’t do the action, they are out! The game continues until there is one child left who is declared the winner.
Also Read: Different Types of Monkey Bars for Kids
Swing race: This is a simple but fun race where kids can compete against each other to see who can swing across the monkey bars the fastest. To make it more challenging, you can set a time limit for each child or have them go one at a time so they have to wait for their turn. The first one across wins!
Side-by-Side Monkey Bars
One of the most popular games to play on monkey bars is side-by-side monkey bars. This game is played by two people who stand next to each other on the monkey bars and try to reach the end without falling off. The first person to fall off loses the game.
Monkey Bars Hangman
Monkey Bars Hangman is a great game for kids of all ages. It's easy to set up and can be played with any number of players.
To play, one player hangs from the monkey bars while the other players take turns trying to guess letters in a word or phrase. If the player guessed correctly, they get to stay on the funky monkey bar for another turn. If they guessed incorrectly, they must drop off the monkey bars and the next player takes their turn. The game is over when either the player has guessed all the letters correctly or there are no more players left on the monkey bars.
This is a great game for kids to play at recess or after school. It's also a great way to get them moving and active.
Tie a Knot
One of the most classic monkey bar games is simply tying a knot at the end of the bars. This can be done with a rope or with your own hands, and it's a great way to add some suspense to the game. If you're playing with a rope, you can make the knot as big or small as you want, and you can also use different types of knots for different levels of difficulty. If you're using your hands, try to make the knot as tight as possible so that it's harder for your opponents to get past.
Criss Cross Row
This is a great game to play on monkey bars! To play, two people hold onto opposite ends of the monkey bar. Then, they take turns crossing their body over the middle of the bar, until they reach the other side. This is a great way to challenge your coordination and balance!
Monkey Bars Safety Considerations for Kids and Parents
It is important to note that while playing on monkey bars can offer many benefits, it is important to follow safety guidelines to minimize the risk of injury. This includes ensuring that the funky monkey bar are the appropriate height and are maintained in good condition, supervising children while they play, and teaching children how to use the monkey bars safely.
Age: Children should be a certain age before using monkey bars. The recommended age is between 5 and 9 years old.
Supervision: Children should always be supervised when using monkey bars. This will help ensure that they do not fall or get injured.
Height: Make sure the monkey bars are not too high off the ground. A fall from a height can result in serious injury.
Surfacing: The area around the monkey bars should be covered with shock-absorbing material, such as rubber mulch or sand. This will help reduce the risk of injury if a child falls.
Maintenance: Regular maintenance should be performed on the monkey bars to ensure that they are in good condition. This includes checking for any rust, loose bolts, or other signs of wear and tear.
Use of equipment: Children should be taught how to use monkey bars safely, including how to grip the bars and how to transition from one bar to another.
Weather: Avoid using monkey bars during inclement weather, such as rain or high winds.
Equipment suitability: Make sure the monkey bars are appropriate for your child's age and abilities. Some monkey bars may be too difficult for younger children or those who are not physically fit.
By following these safety considerations, you can help ensure that your children have a safe and enjoyable experience on the monkey bars. Additionally, it is important to have a conversation with your child about the dangers associated with using funky monkey bars and to remind them to be careful and stay safe.
Conclusion
We hope that these 10 fun games and activities to play on monkey bars will help you and your friends or family find ways to beat the boredom. From simple tag games to more challenging relay races, there is something everyone can enjoy while using their beloved metal jungle gym. So next time you’re at the playground, don’t forget about all the possibilities for fun that await you on the monkey bars!
