Outdoor games and recreational activities recommended for children

High Tag

Siblings playing at the park — high tag, swings — Rehiha Channel

It might be a bit hard to grasp from the video alone, but “taka-oni” is a variation of tag where you can’t be caught by the chaser as long as you’re on higher ground than the ground level.

The key to keeping it exciting is to set rules like only allowing players to stay on high spots for a limited amount of time.

Pyramid Rock-Paper-Scissors

Pyramid Rock-Paper-Scissors: Guaranteed to be a hit! A recreational activity

Let me introduce Pyramid Rock-Paper-Scissors, a game where you form a pyramid shape and work your way to the top.

Divide into two teams: Defense and Offense.

Draw horizontal lines to form 1–5 rows in a pyramid shape, and have the Defense team’s kids stand on each line.

The Offense team’s kids start by playing rock-paper-scissors with the player in the first row; if they win, they advance to the second row.

At the end, they face the King at the top of the pyramid—win there and they reach the goal.

If they lose at any point, they return to the start.

It’s a fun game that gets everyone moving and communicating, so give it a try!

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mayumi

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Treasure hunting by the riverbank

Treasure found with a metal detector!? Treasure hunting on the riverbank ♪ himawari-CH

A treasure hunt held on a riverbank can be enjoyable even for adults, thanks to the wide playing field.

You can hide small treasures among the stones in advance, or, for young children, make a game of seeing how many brightly colored or interestingly shaped stones they can find.

Also, toy metal detectors are sold nowadays, so it might be fun to search for real treasure.

However, since uneven ground can be hazardous just to walk on, adults should keep a close eye on children while they play.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Let it be sunny tomorrow.

‘Ashita Tenki ni Naa-re’: I kept at it until the clouds appeared.

A game where you kick off the shoes you’re wearing as hard as you can and predict tomorrow’s weather based on the shape the shoes make when they land on the ground.

Of course, the weather won’t actually change to match it, but the thrill when it clearly looks like “sunny” is something else.

Didn’t our parents’ generation play this game too?

Hana Ichi Monme

Hana Ichi Monme

Another traditional Japanese children’s game: Hana Ichi Monme.

The lyrics seem to contain some rather eerie meanings, but it’s a formative play experience for Japanese people that we hope will be passed down forever.

Since it can be enjoyed regardless of gender, why not try it as entertainment at a neighborhood association event?

Sweet potato digging

Children's sweet potato digging

If you’re in a rural area, you can secure a spot right away, and sweet potatoes grow quite large even in a home garden, so they’re a great option.

If you plant the seedlings together with the children, it becomes more than just an event—you can also teach them the importance of food.

sledding

Sen, Momo, and Ai go sledding. Sledging!

The sleds that little kids often play with at ski resorts and in snowy mountains.

Of course, you can enjoy them even in the summer season.

The video even shows a child crying, but well, kids crying is a sign they still have energy to spare.

Just be careful to avoid injuries and have a blast.