[For Kids] Outdoor Recreation Games: Fun Outdoor Play
Introducing outdoor activities and recreational games that kids will love!
When they’re little, children are happy just riding swings or sliding down slides at the park.
But as they grow, they start wanting games with rules and activities that let them run, jump, and move their bodies to the fullest!
Wondering, “What outdoor play do kids enjoy?” In that case, be sure to check out this article.
You’ll find nostalgic games that moms and dads used to play when they were kids, too!
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- Play ideas kids can enjoy from 1st to 6th grade [indoors & outdoors]
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- Fun recreational games that liven up outdoor activities
- Nostalgic games that were popular when we were kids
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- [Play Right Away!] Exciting Recreation Games Recommended for Elementary School Students
[For Kids] Outdoor Recreation Games: Fun Outdoor Play (51–60)
long-rope jumping
Also known as group jump rope, long-rope play is a familiar activity in elementary school classes and sports days.
It’s a deceptively deep pastime that’s also popular as a sport.
As you’d expect from something that’s become a competitive event, there are many ways to play, making it enjoyable for beginners and more experienced children alike.
You can start with a simple game of shaking the rope on the ground and stepping over it, then try jumping over or ducking under a rope held slightly above the ground, or even jumping with two ropes.
Keep exploring and enjoying it in ways that match your child’s curiosity and physical abilities!
soccer
Speaking of soccer, the whole country gets excited during events like the Olympics and the World Cup, right? Seeing that, many children probably feel like starting soccer or even dream of becoming soccer players in the future.
To enjoy soccer, it might be good to start by simply getting used to kicking the ball and playing around.
Regardless of the rules, there are many fun ways to play—try dribbling the ball to avoid obstacles, aiming a shot at a goal, or passing to a friend.
Hana Ichi Monme
It’s a game that everyone from our grandmothers’ generation knows.
Playing it in narrow alleyways gives it a charming atmosphere.
It’s probably more popular with girls.
You split into two teams, sing the “Hanai-chimonme” song back and forth, and consult about which member of the other team you want.
Both sides announce their choices, then play rock-paper-scissors; the winner gets to take the member they wanted into their team.
The rules vary by region—sometimes the side left with one person loses, for example.
If you’ve got a group of girls together, I’d love for you to try it at least once! By the way, the “monme” in “Hanai-chimonme” is a unit of silver currency.
It’s said that the name comes from an exchange meaning “Please give me flowers worth one monme of silver.”
Rock-paper-scissors Guriko
Many adults probably played “Janken Guriko” at least once when they were kids.
I remember playing it on the pedestrian overpass on my way home from school.
The rules are simple: you play rock-paper-scissors, and the number of steps you can move depends on the winning hand.
For example, with rock you say “Glico,” with paper “Pineapple,” and with scissors “Chocolate”—these are the common ones.
However, there are local variations depending on the region or school, and you can even make your own original rules, which really expands the ways to play!
softball
The equipment you use—like bats and gloves—is almost the same as in baseball, but the shape of first base is different: in softball it’s rectangular, not square.
In Japan, softball tends to have the image of blazing fast pitches like baseball, but in the U.S.
and elsewhere, games are often played under slow-pitch rules.
If you focus on pitching slowly and mainly enjoying hitting, it seems like a great recreational activity for relieving stress.
Since the ball is larger than a baseball, I think it’s easier for kids to hit.
Depending on their age, using a softer ball would let them play without overexertion.