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

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

Last updated:2025/4/1

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 play with a large group: Fun games for kids (1–10)

Wolf, what time is it now?

[Play] 3 Play Ideas [Daycare/Kindergarten]

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!

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Capture the flag

#ElementarySchool #OutdoorPlay #TerritoryGame The popular “Territory Capture” game—even among girls! ★Includes rule explanation

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.

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Ice Tag (Arranged Version)

[For Childcare Workers] Arrange Ice Oni [Teacher Rio’s Active Play That Excites Kids]

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.

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King Dodgeball

[For Preschool Teachers] Get Kids Excited! A Strategic Game: King Dodgeball!

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!

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Rokumushi

Rokumushi

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?

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