[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!
- Outdoor Recreation Popularity Rankings
- [Parent-Child Rec] Recreational activities and games for parents and children to enjoy together—also great for sports days.
- Recommended outdoor games you can enjoy without any equipment
- Recommended outdoor games and recreational activities for lower elementary school children
- Outdoor games and recreational activities recommended for children
- Play ideas kids can enjoy from 1st to 6th grade [indoors & outdoors]
- Outdoor games for large groups. Fun, exciting games for kids.
- Popularity ranking of recreational activities for children
- Fun recreational games that liven up outdoor activities
- Nostalgic games that were popular when we were kids
- Fun winter activities: Recreations that children can enjoy
- [Make with Kids] Handmade Outdoor Play Toy Special
- [Play Right Away!] Exciting Recreation Games Recommended for Elementary School Students
[For Kids] Outdoor Recreation Games: Fun Outdoor Play (31–40)
Ball Toss Game
Ball games are fun for everyone, regardless of gender, aren’t they? There are many theories about the origin of the ball—some say sheep’s wool happened to roll into a ball, others say people kicked around a skull… Hmm, the skull theory is a bit scary.
Let me introduce one of the many “hit-with-a-ball” games.
Imagine dodgeball without a set court.
Instead of wildly throwing at opponents, you have to make three passes within your own team before hitting an opponent.
Just adding this one rule suddenly makes it feel much more like a sport.
Be sure to play in a park where ball games are allowed.
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!
Gatekeeper Rock-Paper-Scissors
A game that combines tag and rock-paper-scissors—the rules are easy to understand because it merges two classic games.
When a child is caught by the tagger, they play rock-paper-scissors.
If the child wins, the tagger must wait in place for 10 seconds, and the child avoids being caught and keeps running.
If the tagger wins, the child is taken to the tagger’s base and must stay there until rescued by a teammate.
Children who haven’t been caught try to evade the taggers on the field while challenging the gatekeepers at the tagger’s base to rock-paper-scissors in order to rescue their teammates.
Even those who aren’t fast runners have a chance to escape if they can win at rock-paper-scissors, so it’s likely more accessible than regular tag.
Territory-Janken
Let’s move our bodies and play! Here’s an idea for a territory-taking rock-paper-scissors game.
Two players face off; if you win, take three steps forward, and if it’s a tie, both take one step, racing toward the goal.
It’s fun to see each person get creative—taking big strides or making big jumps to move ahead! You can also customize the rock-paper-scissors itself, like using your whole body for “body rock-paper-scissors” or using your feet for “foot rock-paper-scissors.” It’s a great way to have fun while inventing ideas together with the kids.
Kickbase (kick baseball)
“Soccer Baseball,” also known as “Kick Baseball.” If you’re around your 50s, the term “Kick Baseball” probably brings back memories of the variety show ‘Yume ga MORIMORI.’ The SMAP members were still so young back then! If you’ve got an open space, “Soccer Baseball” is highly recommended! The rules are super simple: you just play baseball by swapping the ball for a soccer ball and the bat for your own foot.
Because the ball is big, even kids who aren’t great at ball games can enjoy it.
For older or more skilled kids, add a handicap—like having them kick with their left foot.
[For Kids] Outdoor Recreation Games: Fun Outdoor Play (41–50)
baseball
Baseball is becoming more and more popular among women, and a professional women’s baseball team has even been established.
Eri Yoshida threw an incredible knuckleball and was called the “Knuckle Princess.” Let’s all play baseball together—boys and girls alike—and work up a good sweat! If you don’t have a large space, try triangle baseball by leaving out third base.
Teaching friends who’ve never played how to throw the ball or grip the bat will surely make for a fun lesson, too.
Even without equipment, you can make some out of newspaper and still have a great time.
Baseball is fun no matter how you play it!
A Day in the Life of Daruma
The game “Daruma-san ga koronda” is called “Bōsan ga he o koita” in the Kansai region.
I’ve heard there are areas where it’s called “Sugakiya no yaki udon” as well.
One thing many regions share is that the phrase has ten words.
In the typical way of playing, the person who is ‘it’ faces a tree or wall and says “Daruma-san ga koronda.” The others may move only while those words are being spoken.
If ‘it’ sees someone moving, that person loses, and the ultimate winner is whoever manages to touch the tree or wall where ‘it’ is facing.
You can play it even in a fairly small space!