Nowruz / Sizdah Bedar Picnic Games
Sizdah Bedar Picnic Games
Children head outdoors for a picnic and classic team games, inspired by Sizdah Bedar, the thirteenth day of Nowruz when families spend the whole day outside in nature.
How to run it
- Explain that on the thirteenth day of the new year many families who celebrate Nowruz have a picnic outdoors, and some take their sabzeh to release into flowing water.
- Set up a picnic area with mats and a shared snack.
- Run a series of outdoor games such as tug of war, sack races, tag and a ball game, rotating every ten minutes.
- End with children making a quiet wish while holding a few blades of grass, then return the grass to the garden.
You will need
- picnic mats
- shared snacks
- tug of war rope
- sacks or pillowcases
- balls
- cones
Make it easier or harderYounger children can do shorter rotations with simple tag games; older children can plan and run a game station.
SafetyProvide shade, water and sunscreen, check food allergies and supervise tug of war with gloves or a soft rope.
My Time Our Place · Outcome 3, Outcome 2Children enjoy active play outdoors together while learning about a family tradition from Nowruz.
Fits these theme days
More like this
After School Quick STEM · Games Day · Board Games Day +2
Number Card Maths Game
Children use a deck of coloured number cards to play quick adding and multiplying games, turning maths practice into friendly competition.
All About Australia Day · Cricket Day · Summer Holidays +2Relaxed Backyard Cricket
A casual, inclusive game of cricket with friendly rules so everyone gets a bat, a bowl and a laugh.
Around the World Day · Harmony Day · Games Day +2Playground Games From Many Countries
Children learn and play traditional games from other countries, such as stone-counting board games and team tag games, and compare them with games they know.
Backwards Day · Opposites Day · Games Day +2Lowest Score Wins Games
Familiar games are played with reversed rules so the lowest score wins, encouraging fresh strategies and lots of laughs.