Lovely Play & Recreation

Recommended outdoor games and recreational activities for lower elementary school children

A Vocaloid producer who is also a music writerAraki Jakkan
I’ve worked in a variety of roles—regardless of pro or amateur settings—including live event PA, cameraman for video and photography, restaurant staff, and logistics center staff. I now spend my days as a part-time writer. I’ve contributed to music and manga websites with feature/review articles, and wrote the liner notes included as a bonus for 1st PLACE Inc.’s “IA SUPER BEST.” As for my music background, I started playing guitar in junior high and focused on band activities during my school years. For over 15 years since then, up to the present, I’ve continued releasing original tracks as a Vocaloid producer. My areas of expertise are Japanese rock, Vocaloid, and manga.
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

Here are some recommended outdoor recreation activities for lower elementary school children.

We’ve gathered popular games ranging from easy activities you can play casually in parks and open spaces to group recreation everyone can enjoy during campfires and camping trips.

Some games have more elaborate rules, so if you’re thinking, “I’m getting bored of simple games,” feel free to use these as a reference.

Each game has standard rules, but it’s totally fine to tweak them to suit your own style!

Play plenty outside to not only build physical strength but also strengthen bonds with your friends!

Recommended Outdoor Games and Recreational Activities for Lower Elementary School Children (61–70)

Ping-pong relay

2015-05-22 Recreation Tournament — Ping-Pong Relay

Ping-pong relay

Ping-Pong Relay is a unique game where you run while balancing a ping-pong ball on a ladle! Because you have to keep a light, easily rolling ping-pong ball steady on an unstable ladle as you move, it’s a great way to develop a sense of balance.

If you’re wondering what to include in your outdoor recreation plans, give this a try! Once everyone gets the hang of it, you can raise the difficulty by increasing the number of ping-pong balls or by using an even smaller tool than a ladle.

Since it’s a relay, kids can also build communication skills by coming up with strategies together!

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Mini Ball Tag

Ideal Play Activity for a Children’s Association Event: “Mini Ball Tag” in Kawaguchi

Mini Ball Tag

Tag is arranged so that the person who gets touched becomes “it,” but with a ball! Whoever gets hit by the mini ball thrown by “it” becomes the next “it.” In elementary school, kids run faster, and chasing to tag can lead to collisions and injuries.

With a rule of hitting with a ball instead, collisions are prevented, and if you use small, soft balls, injuries are less likely.

With a small tweak, everyone can enjoy full-on recreation safely.

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Stacking cardboard boxes

Founding Anniversary Ceremony & Outdoor Games (Boy Scouts Sakura 2nd Troop)

Stacking cardboard boxes

Cardboard Stacking, a game that exercises both body and mind, is perfect for elementary school kids.

Because you race against the clock, everyone gets excited together.

As the tower grows more unstable with each added box, kids think about how to support it—just watching that process is fun.

Piggyback rides, helping each other—teamwork develops naturally.

Moving their bodies while aiming higher also boosts physical abilities.

The sense of accomplishment builds confidence, too.

Give it a try with everyone!

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Ring Frisbee Catch Game

After-school childcare recreation (outdoor play edition)

Ring Frisbee Catch Game

Why not try a “Ring Frisbee Catch Game” using a ring frisbee made of soft material that doesn’t hurt when you catch it? As the name suggests, this game involves several people passing a frisbee around while an “it” player times their move to snatch it.

The “it” player can aim for moments when someone fumbles a catch or use big movements to disrupt the others—planning a strategy seems to be the key.

You can also make it more fun by changing the number of people passing the frisbee or increasing the number of “it” players!

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Self-introduction hand play

Hand game, easy, elementary school students (creative self-introductions / Myoko Adventure Summer Camp)

Self-introduction hand play

Want to try a self-introduction hand game to deepen your bonds with friends? It’s also great for getting to know people in your group at camps or outdoor activities! You can add hand movements when introducing your name.

You can also get creative by mixing in gestures while singing a song—so come up with your own original introduction and show it off to your friends! If you can express yourself through this game, it will boost your confidence.

And those irreplaceable moments will surely become wonderful memories.

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In conclusion

We’ve introduced various outdoor games—what did you think? Children in the lower grades of elementary school are still learning how to use their bodies.

It’s important to start by letting them move in ways that are fun.

Use different kinds of play to help them discover the joy of exercise and the importance of teamwork!