Outdoor games and recreational activities recommended for children

Water balloon fight game

We played a parent–child water balloon fight game, and it took an unexpected turn! Hane-chan...! – Hanemari Channel

When we were kids, we used to play with water balloons all the time.

It seems some regions call them polka-dot balloons.

We’d see how much water we could fit in one, play catch with them—why were those water-filled balloons so much fun? It’s a mystery.

Compared to the old days, water balloons are really cheap now, so making a bunch and having a “water balloon throwing game” sounds pretty fun! Outdoors, a little splashing is no problem.

But if boys throw seriously, even a water balloon can hurt, so set rules like having the boys throw with their left hand!

shooting game

We played a water gun game—Water Shooting Game!

Do you know Nerf, the toy guns that are a huge hit right now? They’re realistic toy guns that shoot sponge darts.

Some models are large and modeled after rifles, and they’re apparently popular with adults too.

But since getting hit by Nerf darts can still be a bit worrying, how about taking advantage of being outdoors and playing a shooting game with water guns instead? Big water guns can shoot pretty far! If everyone’s in swimwear, getting wet is no problem, so it’s sure to be a blast at riverside or seaside camps!

kite flying

We tried flying a kite with a fishing rod, and both adults and kids had fun.

The kanji for kite really does look like an octopus flying up into the sky, doesn’t it? Originally, it was a game played only around New Year’s.

There are various theories about its origins—some say looking up at the sky is good for your health, others say it’s to wish for children’s growth.

If you’re in a wide open area without power lines, try flying a kite and have a good time.

Simple kites can be bought at 100-yen shops, and larger ones at toy stores.

These days, there are also kites shaped like butterflies and airplanes.

If you have time, it’s fun to make one yourself.

A bit of wind is just right, so going camping near the sea is the perfect chance to enjoy it to the fullest!

plastic bottle rocket

We played with a plastic bottle rocket!

If you’re going to play outside, you want to get excited with activities you can only enjoy outdoors, right? How about trying this PET bottle rocket that’s perfect for that mood? You put a small amount of water in a plastic bottle and pump in air with a bicycle pump to launch it powerfully.

Since it shoots off with force and sprays water, it’s best to play in a wide, open area and wear clothes that can get wet.

There are kits for PET bottle rockets you can buy, but you can also make one yourself!

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oshikura manju (a children’s pushing game)

Push-and-shove Demon

The traditional game “Oshikura Manju” is something many people probably played in winter as children to keep warm.

Everyone stands back-to-back in a circle inside a ring and pushes each other while chanting, “Oshikura manju, don’t get pushed away.” If you’re pushed out of the circle or step on the line, you lose.

There’s also a variation called “Oshikura Manju Oni,” where you play Oshikura Manju inside the circle while escaping from the tagger.

Neither game requires any equipment, so you can enjoy them easily anywhere.

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Watermelon splitting

Rin’s Watermelon Splitting

Shiki Masaoka wrote many haiku about watermelons, such as “Discarded watermelon rinds in front of the temple hall” and “A peach seller sits in the shade eating a watermelon.” At home you’d just cut and eat a watermelon as usual, but if you’re outdoors, why not enjoy a round of suikawari (watermelon splitting) before you eat? All you need are a towel for a blindfold and a bamboo stick to split the watermelon, so it’s easy to have fun.

Make sure everyone gets a turn, so let the little kids try first! And don’t forget to check that no one is standing nearby.

PET bottle darts

PET Bottle Darts (from “Latest and Most Fun Recreation Games”)

Let me introduce a game you can play with just a plastic bottle and disposable chopsticks: Plastic Bottle Darts.

Normally, darts have sharp points, so you might think they’re dangerous for kids.

But this game is very simple: you try to drop a chopstick into a plastic bottle placed on the ground.

It sounds easy, but getting the chopstick to slide neatly into the bottle’s mouth is surprisingly hard, and it doesn’t always go where you want.

Try setting a rule like three chopsticks per person and give it a go!

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