TIMELESS GAMES OPEN-AIR

Timeless Games & Open-Air Fun

Rediscover the joy of playing — together, unplugged, under the sun.

Today’s children live in a world of screens: tablets, computers, and televisions have become everyday companions. They grow up in a digital age, where speed and constant change shape their routines from infancy.

Technology has made life easier, yes — but it has also replaced lullabies with YouTube, toy cars with smartphones, and crayons with touchscreens.

So why not share with them the emotion and simplicity of the games we once loved? A blend of traditional fun and modern wonder can make every beach day unforgettable.

Open-Air Games: Simple, Joyful, and Perfect for the Beach

Witch Commands Color

A child is chosen as the “witch” and shouts a color: “Witch commands color… RED!” Everyone must find and touch something of that color. If you fail? You’re out! Last one standing wins.

 The Game of the Week

Draw a hopscotch-style grid on the ground. Throw a stone and jump your way through, switching between two feet and one foot depending on the squares — and don’t forget to turn around in the final semicircle!

Hat Toss

Players divide into pairs, four meters apart. One throws hats, the other catches them using a long spoon. Winning team? The one with the most successful catches — bonus points for speed!

Water Glass Race

Children line up at the start with glasses full of water. When the signal is given, they race to the finish line trying not to spill a drop. Spoiler: everyone gets rewarded for having fun!

Sand Castles

Classic, timeless, creative. With a bucket, a spade, and a pinch of imagination, children (even older ones!) build their sandy masterpieces. Alassio’s fine golden beach, free of stones, is perfect for dreamlike creations — decorated with shells and pebbles found especially in spring and autumn.

The Castle of Sand Competition in Alassio

Every first week of August, Alassio hosts a magical event:  Children and families build extraordinary sand castles along the shore.  The most original and beautifully crafted castle is crowned the winner.

The Universal Game of Marbles: History Meets Play

From handcrafted clay marbles to colored glass or plastic balls, the game has changed — but the fun remains the same.

Pitted Marble

Players aim at small holes in the ground from a starting line. If your marble lands in, you win the contents. If not, you lose your turn.

Marble Pile

Draw a 30 cm circle, place marbles to form a pile. Players take turns dropping a marble from above — if it scatters the pile, they collect the ones that fall!

Marble Track

Carve a winding track in the sand, filled with twists and turns. Players flick their marbles forward using a squash stroke. First to complete three laps wins.

Celebrate the Past in Autumn

Don’t miss Alassio’s annual “Games of the Past” event, held in autumn. Children discover the joys of vintage play, while parents become kids again — for one unforgettable day.

Put Down the Devices, Pick Up the Memories

Parents, children, families — take a deep breath and unplug. Let imagination and shared laughter fill your holiday at Hotel Ligure in Alassio.

Because sometimes, all we need is to pause the noise… and play.

Have fun!