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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Outdoor games and recreational activities recommended for children (31–40)
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.
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!
Outdoor games and recreational activities recommended for children (41–50)
Poko-pen
Names like Pokopen or Dorokei vary by region, but it’s a game similar to kick-the-can.
So rather than playing with just two or three people, it’s a great recreational game that doesn’t cost money and can get really exciting when you have a decent number of players.
Parents can join in too.
Sea turtles laying eggs
Although the areas are quite limited, there are indeed sea turtle nesting spots within the country.
It does take a lot of determination on the part of the accompanying adults, but for those who can access them, I hope you’ll share this mystery of life with the children.
The sight of them laying eggs as if shedding tears is truly moving.