Recommended outdoor games and recreational activities for lower elementary school children
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!
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Outdoor games and recreation recommended for lower elementary school students (21–30)
Hula hoop relay
Once we become adults, we hardly ever see them anymore, but for elementary school kids, hula hoops are a familiar toy.
This game is a way to play using a hula hoop.
You pass the hula hoop along to your friends while holding hands, without letting go.
Recommended for elementary school kids! 5 games that make you work up a sweat
“Touch and Dash,” “Feint Tag,” “Marker Tag,” “Math Relay,” and “Rock-Paper-Scissors Race.” All five of these active games involve running and let kids get plenty of movement even indoors.
They also include elements that exercise the mind: for example, in a relay format, players pick up a pinnie and add the number written on it, and once the total reaches 20 or more, they finish; or they use markers to cleverly lure opponents and dash through gaps.
Even children who get bored with simple movements are sure to get hooked.
Treasure Taking
“Treasure Grab” is great for improving children’s fitness.
It works with large groups and is perfect for outdoor recreation.
First, draw a line down the middle of a rectangular court and mark each side with a Treasure Island, a Safe Zone, and an Out Zone.
Place items like balls or sneakers on each Treasure Island as the treasures, and start the game.
The appeal is its simple rule: protect your team’s treasure while going into the opponent’s territory to grab theirs! The keys to this game are teamwork and strategy.
It encourages communication among children and helps strengthen their bonds.
Ball games you can play with two people!
Balls are very familiar playthings for children, and the ways to enjoy them are limitless! This time, we’re introducing eight ball games for lower-grade students.
In addition to balls, items like hula hoops are used to help kids improve their physical abilities while having fun.
Basically, children pair up in twos and play by throwing or rolling the ball, or dodging a bouncing ball.
There are also games with sport-like elements—such as Copycat Dribble, Hoop Pass Tennis, and Marker Hockey—so we hope even kids who feel uneasy about ball sports will take this opportunity to get interested.
Esken
It’s a game where you hop on one foot and try to push the opposing team out.
You have to keep hopping the whole time, which is tiring, and since you’re not allowed to put both feet or your hands down, it gets pretty intense.
I think everyone can enjoy it while building stamina.
3 fingerplay activities that engage first graders
The first is the classic “after-the-fact Rock-Paper-Scissors.” The leader says “Rock, paper, scissors, shoot!” and throws rock, scissors, or paper.
Participants watch and then play after the leader, aiming to win.
The second is a game called “Pachi-Pachi.” You clap only when the leader’s hands overlap.
Adding feints makes it more exciting.
The third is a game called “How Many Fingers?” The leader quickly shows a number with their fingers, then hides their hands behind their back.
Participants answer the number the leader showed.
Fun music play in nature
Let’s move our bodies together and enjoy playful music activities in nature while taking in the scenery and sounds around us.
Placing ourselves in nature and listening to the wind and the sounds of insects stimulates the five senses and helps refresh the mind and body.
As we sing, let’s wave colorful scarves and try moving them while imagining what the wind might sound like.
It’s also fun to sway the scarves with varying strengths, like a gentle breeze or a strong gust.
One of the charms of this play is being able to move freely and express yourself while sensing a variety of sounds—like leaves rustling and water flowing.
