Outdoor games for large groups. Fun, exciting games for kids.
Here are some outdoor play ideas for large groups that are sure to bring out kids’ smiles!
There are many games where children work together with friends to achieve a goal, so try adapting them based on age.
With games that include a bit of competition, kids can have fun while moving their bodies—and boost their athletic skills, too!
By enjoying activities together, they also learn the joy of cooperation and develop leadership.
Outdoor play is full of new discoveries and adventures.
Get moving, stay active, and make wonderful memories!
We also recommend using these ideas as a base to come up with your own original games.
Outdoor play with a large group: Fun games for kids (1–10)
Wolf, what time is it now?
A game that combines “Daruma-san ga koronda” and tag is called “What’s the time, Mr.
Wolf?” One child is the wolf (it), and the other children are goats who try to escape.
Before starting, draw circles or squares on the ground as safe zones where the goats can run to.
When the goats say, “Mr.
Wolf, Mr.
Wolf, what time is it?” the wolf answers, “It’s X o’clock.” The goats then take that many steps toward the wolf and say, “Phew, what a relief.” Repeat this, and when the wolf answers, “It’s 12 o’clock,” the goats must run to the safe zone before the wolf tags them.
This game naturally helps children become familiar with numbers, so try it at your nursery school or kindergarten!
Capture the flag
A popular game that anyone can enjoy, regardless of gender, is “territory tagging.” The rules are simple: split into two teams, set each team’s territory, and whoever touches the opposing team’s territory wins; if you get tagged by an opponent, you’re out.
If both sides tag each other at the same time, both are out.
It’s said to be more fun if the territories are about 25 meters apart.
Having places to hide makes it even better.
It takes courage to head for the opponent’s territory without getting tagged! Work together with your teammates and have fun.
Ice Tag (Arranged Version)
This is a variation of “Freeze Tag,” a game almost everyone has played at least once.
The basic rules are simple: players split into runners and taggers.
If a tagger touches you, you freeze and can’t move; if a teammate touches you, you’re unfrozen and can move again.
To keep runners and taggers from getting mixed up, it’s a good idea to distinguish them by hat color.
In this arranged version, having players freeze in a monkey pose or any favorite pose makes it even more exciting! It’s a great way to enjoy cooperative play with friends, so try it at daycare, kindergarten, or with your family.
Rokumushi
Are you familiar with the traditional playground game called “Rokumushi”? It has simple rules, but it’s a thrilling, heart-pounding ball game.
Draw a circle at each end of a space about 20 meters apart, and have one person stand inside each circle.
These two are “it.” The other children gather in one of the circles, and while the two “it” players are playing catch with the ball, everyone else tries to run to the other circle.
Each successful crossing counts as “ichimushi” (one), and if you go back and forth until you reach “rokumushi” (six), you win.
If you’re hit by the ball while running back and forth, switch roles and become “it.” Because it’s a folk game, the rules can vary a bit by region, but it sounds like a lot of fun, doesn’t it?
King Dodgeball
When it comes to recreational games that get everyone fired up, from kids to adults, nothing beats dodgeball! This time, we’re introducing “King Dodgeball.” In regular dodgeball, the team that hits more of the opposing team’s infield players with the ball wins.
But in King Dodgeball, the winner is the team that hits the opposing team’s single “King.” Protect your own King so the other team can’t tell who it is, while observing and figuring out who their King might be—and throw the ball at them.
Strategy and keen observation are the keys to victory!
Dodgeball (line dodgeball)
Here’s an introduction to “Nakaa-te,” a game that’s great fun with a large group.
Many of you may have played it when you were little.
While the finer rules can vary by age and experience, the basic idea is simple: players are divided into those inside and outside a boundary, and the people on the outside throw a ball to try to hit the people on the inside.
You can tweak it endlessly—make the boundary a square or a circle, use a larger or smaller ball, and so on.
If any children are afraid of getting hit, try using a soft ball so it doesn’t hurt.
You can play with as few as three people, so give it a try!
Cat and Mouse
In some areas, this game is also played under the name “Nezumi-tori” (Mouse Trap).
Since it’s a hand-holding game, it seems perfect for welcoming events with new students.
First, the people who are “cats,” about 6 to 10 of them, join hands to form one large circle.
The people who are “mice,” about 4 to 6, go inside the circle.
The mice win if they can slip through the cats’ circle and get outside.
The cats should stand up and crouch down to keep the mice from getting out.
It’s surprisingly fun even for adults.
Definitely a great one to play outside on a nice day.
Snake Rock-Paper-Scissors
This is a game called “snake rock-paper-scissors.” You set up two bases at least 10 meters apart and draw a squiggly, snake-like or zigzag line between them.
Players move along the line and play rock-paper-scissors when they meet the opponent at the point they collide.
The loser returns to their base and goes to the back of the line; the winner continues along the line to face the next opponent.
The team that keeps winning and reaches the opponent’s base first wins.
Drawing the line in a twisty, complex way makes it a bit harder and more exciting.
Tree and Squirrel
A great game for kindergarteners and elementary school students is “Trees and Squirrels.” Form groups of three and divide into “trees” and “squirrels.” Anyone who can’t make a trio becomes the “wolf.” At the signal, the squirrels must move to a different tree.
At the same time, the wolf tries to get into an empty tree.
The squirrel that can’t find a spot in a tree becomes the next wolf—and so on.
The rules are simple, so even young children can learn the game quickly.
Another nice point is that you instantly form trios, so friends don’t get cliquey and everyone can play together.
It’s a recommended game for building class unity or getting to know different people.
Don Janken
Let’s try playing Don-Janken, a quick and exciting game you can enjoy anywhere! The rules are very simple: split into two teams and line up at opposite ends.
At the signal, the first person from each team runs forward, and when they meet, they play rock-paper-scissors.
If you win, you keep going; if you lose, the next teammate starts running.
You continue advancing by playing rock-paper-scissors, aiming to reach the opponent’s side.
It’s called Don-Janken because when you meet, you both stretch your hands forward, touch with a “don!” and stop.
Play carefully to avoid injuries.