Outdoor games and recreational activities recommended for children
Kids just love playing outside, don’t they?
Even though we think “Nothing beats being active!”, many parents run out of ideas and end up struggling on weekends and during long breaks.
If that sounds like you, this is a must-see!
Here are some games and recreational activities you can do outdoors.
Try them for camping trips, outdoor events, or game time at kids’ clubs.
Traditional games can feel fresh to kids today, so it’s also a great idea for parents to enjoy the games they used to play, together with their children.
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- Fun recreational games that liven up outdoor activities
Outdoor games and recreational activities recommended for children (21–30)
Top 5 most entertaining tag games in the world
Tag, a classic outdoor game for children, is actually enjoyed in many countries around the world.
Tag from around the world… you’re curious what those games are like, right? This time, we’ll introduce five versions: the Filipino tag game “Buwan-Buwan,” the Sri Lankan tag game “Gini Hangima,” the Moroccan tag game “The Hen and the Caterpillar,” the German tag game “The Spinning Top on the Rock,” and the Bangladeshi tag game “Chi-Buri.” Depending on the country, the rules and ways to play vary—like having the tagger move only along lines or adding a treasure-hunt element—so give these different kinds of tag a try and enjoy a twist on the usual game!
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.
Outdoor activities: fun games everyone can play together!
This is a game called “Catch.” Choose one person to be the leader, and have the other participants form a circle.
Hold out your right hand with the palm facing up toward the person on your right, and place your left index finger on the palm of the person to your left.
When the leader says “Catch,” quickly close your right hand, and with your left hand, try to pull your index finger away so it doesn’t get caught.
The leader should vary the timing by stretching out “Ca, ca, caaaatch…” or throw in feints by saying something like “Cat!” instead.
It’s a simple game that helps break the ice and get everyone excited, even with people you’re meeting for the first time.
7 park games kids can play without equipment
Park games that everyone from small children to adults can enjoy together without any preparation are great because they can be played with whoever happens to be there.
Hopscotch, hand-pushing sumo, number games, playing house, shadow play, and drawing are all familiar activities that don’t require any equipment.
You can also use natural materials like pebbles and sticks, which makes it easy to invent games and come up with original rules with friends.
Let’s make the most of the wide-open space of the park and have fun moving our whole bodies with games that can only be enjoyed in such a setting.
playing in the water
Across the country, wherever you go, parks where families spend their days off are typically equipped with splash fountains for water play.
As long as you keep an eye on safety, let the kids play freely as much as they like.
And of course, don’t forget a change of clothes for the trip home.
Cops and Robbers
When it comes to classic games that get after-school programs excited, “Keidoro” is a top pick.
As long as you have a large enough space, you can start right away, so prep is easy.
In this game, players split into police and robbers and chase each other, which builds teamwork, quick decision-making, and physical fitness—perfect for kids’ development.
The rules include robbers getting caught and put in “jail,” plus dramatic rescues by teammates, making it a hit across all age groups.
The more players, the more fun, so it’s ideal for group settings like after-school care.
Another appeal is that you can expand the ways to play by tweaking the rules.
It’s a highly recommended game for running around and being active in schoolyards or parks.
Treasure Hunt Puzzle Fun at the Campground
Highly recommended as a surprise for kids! Here are some ideas for a puzzle-based treasure hunt you can enjoy at a campsite.
It’s a treasure hunt game with a surprise twist: the treasure they search for so eagerly turns out to be a present they’ve been wanting! Using items like padlocks and message cards, the process of creating handmade mechanisms is fun in itself.
It’s perfect for families, and also great for activities at community centers or elementary schools.
Give it a try!