Fun Activities and Recreation Games for Boys

plastic bottle rocket

[Summer Vacation] A University of Tokyo Student Tried Launching a Plastic Bottle Rocket [Independent Research]

The “PET bottle rocket” that’s often featured on TV shows and in magazines never fails to make you think, “Wow, that’s amazing.” It’s incredible that it can travel that far without using gunpowder or electricity.

Instead of just being impressed forever, why not gather some rocket-loving kids and make PET bottle rockets together? Some people even make them using only items from 100-yen shops.

While learning about action and reaction forces, you’ll have a lively, hands-on time—guaranteed fun for everyone!

Train Quiz

Which Shinkansen is it? Quiz | Shinkansen Anime for Kids | Shinkansen Quiz

There are passionate railway fans often called railway maniacs or train otaku, right? Even among those fans, their enthusiasm can be further subdivided—some love taking photos, while others want to actually ride the trains.

Boys never stop dreaming about big vehicles! On rainy days when you can’t go outside, let’s have fun with a “train quiz”! Questions like “Which one is the Kodama Shinkansen?” or “What color are the Yamanote Line trains?” might stump even adults who ride trains regularly when they’re suddenly turned into quiz questions.

Just watching trains can give you a little taste of a trip!

Shooting Splash

Shooting Splash

Back in the days before games and computers were so widespread, boys were always playing outside and everyone got a deep tan, right? With the motto “Aim to be a lively kid!!,” why not play Shooting Splash on sunny days? In simple terms, Shooting Splash is a game where you have water gun battles.

Instead of small water pistols, you use larger ones with a bit more range and shoot at paper targets stuck on your opponent’s chest or back.

It really gets exciting! Especially recommended in summer!

Fishing game

[Handmade Toys] Everyone Loves It! Let's Play the Paper Cup Craft “Fishing” Game [Tokyo Toy Museum × BabyTube]

Many boys start fishing under the influence of a fishing-loving uncle or other relatives.

If you live far from the sea or a river, why not have fun with a “fishing game”? Instead of catching real fish, you’ll fish for ones made from construction paper or paper cups.

Create the catching mechanism using magnets, hooks—get creative with different ideas.

You can even make the fishing pole by tightly rolling up newspaper.

For big fish, add some clay inside to make them heavier.

It’s a highly recommended activity that’s fun from the moment you start making it!

playing train

Pretend Play Train

Playing doctor, playing princess—children learn so much from pretend play.

Let’s use trains that boys love and play “train pretend.” The train can be as simple as a large rope made into a loop, or you can make a more elaborate one out of cardboard—it all sounds fun.

Doing pretend announcements like “Next stop, Tokyo, Tokyo” is enjoyable too.

While riding in the train you made, kids can even learn all the stations on the local railway.

It’s amazing how children memorize station names in order of the stops, isn’t it?

Making mud dumplings

How to Make a Super Shiny Mud Dumpling (16:9 Version)

If you search for “mud balls,” you’ll find tons of photos of gleaming spheres that make you wonder, “Are these really made of mud?” Seeing those makes you want to try making one yourself, right? They have a kind of shine that boys especially seem to love! Let’s all try making glossy mud balls together.

The key, above all, is to find a spot with very fine-grained soil.

Fundamentally, the quality of the soil determines everything about how shiny your mud ball will be! It’s also fun to gather soil from different places and blend it to your liking.

caster board

RipStik Brave Board Trick Collection 21

A caster board is a skateboard equipped with two swivel wheels.

Its distinctive handling evokes surfing and other board sports, setting it apart from traditional skateboards and making it a topic of conversation.

Tricks are harder with only two wheels, but simply riding it is easier than on a skateboard, and the sense of exhilaration is unbeatable.