Lovely childcare

Outdoor games for large groups. Fun, exciting games for kids.

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
9 years of experience as a nursery school teacherShibata Risa
I am an active nursery school teacher with 9 years of experience. After graduating from university, I worked at a daycare center. The time I spent happily with children—playing piano, singing songs, and doing finger-play—are priceless memories to me. Currently, while raising three children of my own, I work at an after-school day service, engaging with children and providing individualized developmental support. Drawing on my diverse experiences as a childcare worker and as a mother, I hope to express and convey my thoughts through writing.

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 games for large groups: Exciting kids’ games (11–20)

Stop

Stop

Stop

Place a ball in the center of a circle and decide the leader with rock-paper-scissors.

Then, without letting the leader know, the remaining players assign themselves numbers.

At the signal, everyone except the leader dashes, and they must stop when the leader says “Stop.” The leader throws the ball at the easiest target to hit, and if you’re hit by the ball, you lose.

The person who loses becomes the next leader.

Dodgeball may be the most popular ball game, but this is recommended for those who want to try something different.

The rules are simple, so when you’re playing with a large group, give “Stop” a try.

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Cross Demon

Cross Oni

Cross Demon

Draw a cross on the ground, and the tagger can only run along those lines.

Everyone else runs around the cross, and if the tagger touches you, you lose.

If you’re in a park, you can draw the lines with a tree branch, so the great thing is you don’t need any special equipment.

If you prepare string or tape, you can play Cross Tag indoors too, so you can enjoy tag even on rainy days! It’s highly recommended for anyone who’s getting bored of the usual game of tag.

It’s fun for both adults and kids, so try it at school or with your family.

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Cops and Robbers

If adults went all out and played cops-and-robbers using the entire elementary school, it would be insanely fun!!

Cops and Robbers

“Keidoro” is a shortened form of “keiji to dorobō” (cops and robbers), a variation of tag.

In some regions it’s also called “dorokei.” Kids who want to be the cop and those who want to be the thief might have different personality types, don’t you think? Once you set the area where players can run and the location of the “jail” where caught players wait, the police just chase and catch the thieves.

Decide in advance whether rescuing captured players is allowed.

The Fuji TV show Run for Money: Tososu-chū is an entertainment program that seems to be based on this game.

If you play in a large public space, be careful not to bother other people.

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kotoro-kotoro (onomatopoeic; a light rattling/rolling sound)

kotoro-kotoro (onomatopoeic; a light rattling/rolling sound)

kotoro-kotoro (onomatopoeic; a light rattling/rolling sound)

This is a game called “Kotorokotoro,” where four people stand in a single line and protect the child at the very back from the tagger (the “oni”).

The team lines up with each person placing their hands on the shoulders of the person in front, and the person at the front clasps their hands in front of their chest.

At the start signal, they begin moving, trying to protect the person at the back so they don’t get tagged.

If the person at the back gets tagged by the oni within the time limit, or if anyone’s hands come off the shoulders in front, the team is out.

If the line moves too fast, the people in the back can’t keep up and may let go, so the way you move is important.

You can also play with more people in the line!

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Treasure-Collecting Tag

Healthy Kids Treasure Hunt Tag

Treasure-Collecting Tag

This is a game called “Treasure-Collect Tag,” where the first team to collect three of the seven balls wins.

First, set up a square court and assign a team territory at each corner.

There are four teams, and it’s best played with about 3 to 6 people per team.

Place seven balls in the center, and at the start signal, each team’s leadoff player brings one ball back to their territory.

The next player tags in when the leadoff returns, then runs to either the center or an opponent’s territory to take a ball and bring it back to their own territory.

The team that gathers three balls in their territory and is first to shout “Got it!” wins.

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