Great for camping! Recreation games for kids
Many families are probably planning to take their kids camping over the summer holidays.
Camping is exciting in so many ways, and in this article we introduce activities and games that will make your trip even more fun.
From active, physical play to popular everyday games kids already love, and nature experiences that even little ones can enjoy—there’s plenty to choose from! Take this opportunity to savor the special moments you can only experience at a campsite.
If you go over this with your child before you leave, you’ll surely hear, “I want to do this!” Get fully prepared, have a blast, and make the best memories!
- Outdoor games and recreational activities recommended for children
- [Play Right Away!] Exciting Recreation Games Recommended for Elementary School Students
- Fun recreational games that liven up outdoor activities
- Recommended for upper elementary grades! Exciting indoor recreation and games
- [Children’s Club] Easy and fun indoor games. Exciting party games
- Play ideas kids can enjoy from 1st to 6th grade [indoors & outdoors]
- Outdoor Recreation Popularity Rankings
- Fostering Cooperation: Recommended Games to Enjoy in the Boy Scouts
- [Elementary School] Games and Recreational Activities to Enjoy at a Forest School Camp
- Recommended outdoor games and recreational activities for lower elementary school children
- No worries even in the rain! Fun recreational activities you can do in the gym
- [For Kids] Fun Indoor Game Ideas for After-School Day Services
- Recreation Activities That Excite Kids’ Clubs! Plans and Ideas Children Will Love
Recommended for Camping! Recreation and Games for Kids (21–30)
long rope jumping
When a large group gets together for something like a camp, a great game to try is long-rope jump rope.
The rope is easy to carry, so it’s especially recommended for outdoor play.
Once everyone syncs up and starts jumping the long rope together, you’ll be surprised how addictive it is—you’ll want to do it again and again.
It’s also fun to split into teams and compete for the highest number of consecutive jumps, or set a target number and race to see which team can finish it the fastest.
water gun
Kids love playing with water.
When it comes to water play with items, water guns are great fun, offer lots of ways to play, and are highly recommended.
These days, water guns come in various shapes and sizes, and many of them are exciting and enjoyable not just for kids but for adults too.
Simply splashing each other with water is fun in hot weather, and you can also spice it up by attaching targets to your shoulders and shooting at them, or by playing team battles—both are sure to get everyone fired up.
If small children are participating, please be careful with water guns that have strong pressure or powerful streams.
Fun music play in nature
Let’s move our bodies together and enjoy playful music activities in nature while taking in the scenery and sounds around us.
Placing ourselves in nature and listening to the wind and the sounds of insects stimulates the five senses and helps refresh the mind and body.
As we sing, let’s wave colorful scarves and try moving them while imagining what the wind might sound like.
It’s also fun to sway the scarves with varying strengths, like a gentle breeze or a strong gust.
One of the charms of this play is being able to move freely and express yourself while sensing a variety of sounds—like leaves rustling and water flowing.
Jump together
As a recreation activity that builds a sense of unity, I’d like to introduce “Jump Together.” First, everyone holds hands and forms a circle.
Then a leader calls out, “All together!”—that’s the starting signal.
Everyone responds in unison.
After that, you jump according to the leader’s directions.
Wondering, “Which direction is next?” adds excitement, and working toward the same goal strengthens your bonds.
As a next stage, it’s also fun to jump in the direction opposite to the call.
Hand-push sumo
Have you ever played “teoshi-zumo” (push sumo)? Two people face each other, hold their palms up and push against the other’s hands; the one who stumbles and steps out of the ring loses.
It looks simple and like a test of brute strength, but in fact you can win with a few tips and techniques even without much power, so it’s fun despite differences in size or age.
For example, standing a bit pigeon-toed can help you brace better, and instead of pushing straight ahead, pushing upward from below can be effective.
Master these tricks and try beating opponents bigger than you!
Bamboo Shoot Gnocchi
Let’s play the classic game “Takenoko Nyokki.” The chant is: “Takenoko, takenoko, nyokki-ki!” After everyone claps their palms together and says the chant, each person shouts “1 nyokki,” “2 nyokki,” and so on—saying a unique “number + nyokki” that doesn’t overlap with anyone else—and thrusts both hands up.
If there are five players, the numbers go from 1 to 5, but the person who says 5 loses.
Keep in mind: avoid saying the same number as someone else, and don’t be the last one.
Enjoy the game!
Hoop relay
Let me introduce a “Hoop Relay” played in pairs.
First, divide into teams and form pairs within each team.
When the start signal is given, one person throws a hoop forward, and the other jumps and lands inside the hoop.
Repeat this to advance to the designated spot, return to the starting line, and tag in the next pair.
The team whose last pair returns to the starting line first wins.
If you throw the hoop too far and the jumper can’t reach it, you must go back to the start.
The key to winning is to throw the hoop to a distance that earns you the most ground while keeping your partner’s jumping ability in mind.