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

Human Othello

Human Othello

This is “Human Othello,” played with hats that have different colors on the inside and outside.

Just like Othello, you increase your teammates by sandwiching the other color between your own color.

First, set up a large court and split into two teams with the same number of players.

Move freely within the court for 10 seconds, then stop.

After that, teams take turns moving to sandwich members of the opposing team.

You can move up to three steps at a time.

When you sandwich an opponent, say “Othello,” and the sandwiched person should flip their hat to the other team’s color.

The team with more people when a set time has passed wins, or the team that ends up with only one person left loses.

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sasashina

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Drop the Handkerchief

Folklore Play Newspaper #9: “Drop the Handkerchief”

A game I highly recommend for both indoors and outdoors is “Handkerchief Drop.” The rules are very simple: everyone except the It player sits in a circle facing inward with their heads down.

The It runs around the outside of the circle and drops a handkerchief behind someone.

When the person realizes the handkerchief has been dropped behind them, they chase the It; if they manage to tag them, they’re safe.

If they can’t tag them, they switch and become the new It.

It’s a game full of fun mind games—those seated try to sense when the handkerchief is dropped, while the It can pretend to still be holding it even after dropping it.

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Ryo

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Oshikura Manju Demon

Push-and-shove Demon

It’s often played in winter as “oshikura manju.” Written in kanji, it’s 押し競饅頭, with the 競 part corresponding to “kura.” You don’t need any equipment, so it’s highly recommended for its simplicity.

Draw a circle on the ground sized to fit the number of players.

The “it” (oni) waits outside the circle, while the friends inside push against each other, trying to force others out of the circle.

If you’re touched by the oni outside the circle, you lose.

Those inside the circle must not use their hands, so make sure they’re crossed over the chest.

Bigger players might have an advantage, so it’s more fun when everyone is about the same age.

It’s a great game to warm up with in a big group!

Hide-and-seek

[Thrilling] Real Hide-and-Seek at an Elementary School!

Isn’t “hide-and-seek” the quintessential outdoor game? I think everyone has played it at least once.

When we were little, we often hid inside the house too.

The key to making it exciting is to decide in advance where it’s okay to hide.

If the area is too large, it actually gets less exciting.

Set rules ahead of time to avoid bothering others—like no hiding on someone’s private property or going into stores.

It’s a game adults and children can enjoy together, so try playing in a large park or another place where play is allowed.

Red Light, Green Light

Red light, green light

There are many similar games across the country where you can only move while someone counts to 10.

In the Kinki region, the version called “Bōsan ga he o koita” is especially famous.

In the Kanto region, it’s called “Indian no fundoshi,” though what exactly is an “Indian fundoshi,” I wonder (haha)? The rules are simple! The person who is ‘it’ presses their face against a wall or pillar and counts to 10.

Only while they’re counting can the others move freely.

You start about 10 meters away from ‘it,’ and if you can manage to touch them in the end, you win.

If you’re spotted moving, you lose.

It’s a game that people of all ages can enjoy, so it’s one I recommend for intergenerational events like Respect for the Aged Day gatherings!