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.
- [For Kids] Outdoor Recreation Games: Fun Outdoor Play
- Great for camping! Recreation games for kids
- Play ideas kids can enjoy from 1st to 6th grade [indoors & outdoors]
- Outdoor Recreation Popularity Rankings
- Recommended outdoor recreation for junior high school students: A roundup of fun outdoor activities
- Liven up your children’s club event! A collection of ideas everyone can enjoy
- Fun nature activities that children will love. Recreational games.
- Great for field trips too! Outdoor recreation and games for elementary school kids: hands-on play
- Recreation Activities That Excite Kids’ Clubs! Plans and Ideas Children Will Love
- Recommended outdoor games and recreational activities for lower elementary school children
- Fostering Cooperation: Recommended Games to Enjoy in the Boy Scouts
- [Elementary School] Games and Recreational Activities to Enjoy at a Forest School Camp
- Fun recreational games that liven up outdoor activities
Outdoor games and recreational activities recommended for children (31–40)
triangular base
Triangle Base is a recreational game that can be played with a small number of people because it doesn’t require a bat or even a third base.
In the video, not only children but people of all ages join in, and a key selling point is that it also works well as a community exchange event.
dodgeball
If you have a decent number of people and access to a field or similar space, I highly recommend dodgeball.
The thrill of hitting someone with the ball is unique to this sport, and another advantage is that up to around early elementary school age, boys and girls can play together.
Outdoor Badminton
When you want to get active outdoors without much fuss, badminton is perfect.
The problem is that on windy days the shuttlecock won’t fly the way you want, which can spoil the fun.
That’s why today I’m introducing “outdoor badminton,” which handles wind better.
Outdoor badminton shuttlecocks are made a bit heavier, so they fly straight and fast even in a breeze.
The rackets also have larger heads and shorter grips.
The larger face makes it easier to catch the shuttle, and the shorter grip makes it easier to swing even with wind resistance.
If you’re thinking about playing badminton while camping, you should definitely consider picking one up.
OgoDisk
Have you heard of the OgoDisk, a toy you can throw like a flying disc? Its center is made of a soft material, so you can catch a ball with it and even use it like a racket.
With just one OgoDisk, you can throw, hit, and catch, making it a great choice for camping when you want to keep your gear to a minimum while still having fun.
We introduce a variety of games you can play with the OgoDisk, such as disc passing, ball bouncing, and disc batting, so feel free to use them as a reference.
9-square tag
Nine-Square Tag is a quirky twist on tag played in an area divided into nine squares.
At a cue, everyone on the grid moves one square at the same time.
If the chaser (“it”) lands in the same square as someone else, that person is out.
If the chaser can’t catch anyone within ten turns, they lose.
It’s perfect for camps or indoor gatherings because it works even in small spaces.
Kids and adults can enjoy it, and although simple, it engages both mind and body—great as a lively brain workout.
Give it a try!
Where are you from?
This is a variation of the game “Antagata Dokosa” that you can enjoy around a campfire.
Everyone holds hands and stands in a circle around the fire.
To the rhythm of the song “Antagata Dokosa,” you walk clockwise, but whenever the syllable “sa” appears in the lyrics, you squat down on the spot.
It’s important to listen carefully to avoid mistakes.
Another variation is to switch the walking direction from clockwise to counterclockwise every time you hear “sa,” and then switch back the next time it occurs.
As the tempo speeds up, the confusion and laughter grow, making it a recreation that captivates both children and adults.
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.
Park Puzzle Treasure Hunt
A puzzle-solving treasure hunt set in a park you often play in is a game that calls for observation and deduction.
Each time you solve one puzzle, the next one appears, letting you enjoy the excitement of gradually getting closer to the treasure.
If the park is nearby, you can even start from inside your home; if it’s farther away, you might make the park the final goal.
Just be careful: if you set things up too early, other park users might find them.
Strawberry picking
Although a greenhouse may not strictly fall into the category of the outdoors, fruit farms are just as popular an outing spot as nature parks or barbecues.
Strawberry picking is something we definitely want children to experience, as it also teaches them the importance of food.
zigzag driving
A simple game where you set up cones and run in a zigzag.
It’s actually widely used in sports settings to train decision-making and lower-body strength, and the fact that kids can build healthy bodies through play is very appealing.
It doesn’t cost much either, so it’s highly recommended!