Kids Will Love It! Fun Games for Your Barbecue
With the current boom in outdoor activities, many families are probably heading out together for camping and barbecues.
Having a lively barbecue with your friends’ families is a lot of fun, isn’t it?
Here are some games and recreational activities that kids can enjoy in those situations.
If you’re going as a family, the kids will likely be the main focus—so be sure to research and prepare activities they’ll enjoy before you head out.
We’ve included plenty of ideas for things you can only really enjoy outdoors, like games that use lots of water, so be sure to use this as a reference!
- Games that liven up a BBQ. Fun recreational activities.
- Outdoor games and recreational activities recommended for children
- Fun activities that liven up a camp: recreational games
- Play ideas kids can enjoy from 1st to 6th grade [indoors & outdoors]
- Fun recreational games that liven up outdoor activities
- [Play Right Away!] Exciting Recreation Games Recommended for Elementary School Students
- [List] A roundup of games and recreational activities kids love
- Recommended outdoor games you can enjoy without any equipment
- Recommended outdoor recreation for junior high school students: A roundup of fun outdoor activities
- Games and activities everyone can enjoy together. A collection of fun play ideas.
- [Elementary School] Quick and Easy! Indoor Recreational Activities Perfect for Lower Grades
- Fun for adults and kids alike! Home festival ideas to capture the lively spirit of a Japanese matsuri
- Outdoor Recreation Popularity Rankings
Kids Will Love It! Fun Games to Play at a Barbecue (11–20)
Treasure Hunt
Since you’re going outdoors, many parents probably want to create special memories for their kids.
One idea I’d like to suggest is a treasure hunt.
First, hide a treasure chest at your outdoor destination.
It’s a good idea to fill it with toys or snacks.
Then make a treasure map and search for it together with your child.
The key is how well you can create a realistic treasure-hunt atmosphere.
If you also include a few puzzle-solving elements in the map, it will be even more exciting.
Badminton
One sport that even small children can enjoy is badminton.
There are many types of rackets and shuttlecocks, and you can even find them at 100-yen shops.
However, regular badminton has a drawback: when it’s windy, the shuttlecock won’t fly well.
That’s why outdoor badminton was developed.
It’s designed for play outside, so it’s fine even when the wind is blowing.
It’s also engineered to travel farther, making it perfect for playing in wide-open spaces.
jump rope
I believe that if there’s an activity where adults and children can unite toward a single goal, it will deepen their bonds even more.
That’s why I’d like to recommend jump rope.
Kids almost always have one, and many adults use it for health, too.
How about tying a few ropes together and trying a long-rope jump? If you set a target number of jumps and take on the challenge, it’ll be even more exciting.
By the way, a useful tip is to have the taller people be the ones turning the rope.
Give it a try!
Bug catching
When it comes to outdoor activities, many people think of catching insects.
This is especially true in urban areas where the variety of insects has declined, so I hope you’ll give it a try when you head outdoors.
Another fun point is that you can see different kinds of insects depending on the season.
However, some insects like bees and horseflies can be dangerous, so adults should keep a close watch to prevent stings.
Also, one of the appeals of insect catching is that you can keep enjoying it even after you’ve caught them.
Through raising insects, it’s also a great opportunity to teach the importance of life.
Paper Cup Jenga
When you suddenly feel like playing with a big group, paper-cup Jenga is perfect.
All you need are paper cups and cardboard.
First, line up the paper cups and place a sheet of cardboard on top.
Repeat this, and your Jenga tower is complete.
Then take turns pulling out paper cups and have fun.
This way, kids, adults, grandpas, and grandmas can all enjoy it together! If you want to make it harder, you can add a rule that the cup you pull out must be stacked on top.
Russian roulette
A toy I’d love for you to try on a hot day is the “Russian Nu-retto.” It looks like a helmet with eight sticks attached.
The trick is that one of the sticks will release water when pulled.
The Russian Nu-retto also comes with original cards, and you can play by drawing a card and following the instructions written on it.
Since you’ll get soaked, it’s a toy best enjoyed outdoors.
It costs around 3,000 yen, so if you’re interested, check it out!
paper airplane
As a play activity that can also serve as a summer project, I highly recommend paper airplanes.
When people hear “paper airplane,” they might picture folding one from a flyer, but in fact, there are various products available.
If you want to enjoy powerful, long-distance flights, it’s a good idea to buy a kit designed specifically for range.
There are also paper airplanes printed with cute characters for younger children.
And if you feel that ordinary paper airplanes aren’t quite enough, check out paper-craft airplane kits as well.
arm wrestling
Arm wrestling is something you can do anywhere as long as there’s a table.
It’s also a perfect game for letting kids feel just how strong grown-ups are.
If you have multiple children, we recommend holding a tournament.
In any case, since it’s a game of strength, please be careful to avoid injuries.
By the way, the tips for arm wrestling are to keep your body straight from your shoulders to your hips when you set up, and to grip with your thumb tucked inside.
If you’re not good at arm wrestling, give these a try!
Fishing
One of the joys of outdoor activities by the water is catching fish.
Methods include fishing or scooping them up with a net.
However, if you have small children, using a trap is recommended.
First, prepare an empty plastic bottle and cut off the top portion.
Then make a hole in the bottom part, put bait inside, and insert the cut-off top upside down to complete the trap.
By the way, dried delicacies or fish sausages make good bait.
This way, there’s no need to worry about injuries.
Juice tasting
The juice taste test you often see on TV shows and YouTube is a perfect game for barbecues.
Just pour different juices into cups and have people guess the flavors—it’s sure to be a hit! If you want to create a more authentic vibe, try placing the juice containers inside a cardboard box and sticking only the straws out through holes.
Using colored straws makes it even more challenging.
There are lots of other ways to do it too, so check out YouTube for more ideas.