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 (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.
High Tag
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
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!
Treasure hunting by the riverbank
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.
