Recommended outdoor recreation for junior high school students: A roundup of fun outdoor activities
Even in junior high, it’s fun to play in the schoolyard during breaks and get active outside after school or on days off, isn’t it?
There are also plenty of times when everyone needs a bit of recreation, like during homeroom or for outdoor activities as part of class.
So in this article, we’ll introduce a bunch of outdoor games that junior high students can enjoy!
We’ve included not only classic games you’ve been familiar with since elementary school, but also some that are a bit unusual.
Learn the rules and have fun playing together!
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Recommended Outdoor Recreation for Middle Schoolers: A Collection of Fun Outdoor Activities (21–30)
Human Othello
Here’s a human version of a world-famous board game.
Split into two teams and assign each player a number in order starting from 1.
Draw a court sized to fit the number of participants, and let everyone move freely within it for about 10 seconds.
When time’s up, the game starts from wherever you’re standing! Beginning with player number 1 on the starting team, each player takes three steps and moves closer to someone on the opposing team.
Teams alternate doing this.
When two of your team members sandwich an opponent between them, call out “Othello!” and convert that opponent to your team.
To make teams easy to distinguish, it’s recommended to wear red-and-white caps or similar markers.
The winner is the team that converts more players to its color within the time limit, or the team that corners the other side down to the last person.
Whether you love Othello or not, give it a try!
Water balloon catch
Water Balloon Catch is a game where you try to catch water balloons thrown by the pitcher without bursting them.
The fact that you’ll get wet if you can’t grab the balloon well makes it perfect for outdoor activities.
Set the distance between the pitcher and catcher in advance, and have the pitcher throw water balloons to teammates.
The key to catching is to use both hands and cradle the balloon as you take it.
Making it not only an individual match but also a team match or a tournament will make the game even more exciting.
Try competing among middle schoolers to see how many water balloons you can catch within the time limit.
Outdoor recreation recommended for junior high school students: A roundup of fun outdoor activities (31–40)
Hide-and-seek
Hide-and-seek is an exciting game even in middle school.
If you increase the number of seekers or play over a wider area, it gets even more fun.
It’s great because even people who aren’t confident in their stamina can enjoy it.
Just remember to put safety first.
It also helps you get closer with friends, so why not go all out in the schoolyard or a park? Since it’s a game everyone can get into, it’s perfect for homeroom time or outdoor activities.
Cat and Mouse
When it comes to simple yet thrilling games, Cat and Mouse is a great pick.
All you need are a few straight lines drawn on the ground, and anyone can jump right in.
Teammates line up in straight lines on two separate lines.
Then, at the call of “Cat” or “Mouse,” chase the opposing team.
If you’re tagged, you switch to the other team, and the game continues until the finish signal.
If you’re playing with a large group, it can be fun to create multiple team names—like animals or foods—and give it a try.
softball
Softball is a perfect outdoor activity for middle schoolers.
The ball is larger and easier to hit, so even kids who aren’t confident in sports can enjoy it.
Since it’s pitched underhand, it’s easier on the shoulder, too.
It works great with small or large groups, making it ideal for class or club recreation.
Slow-pitch, where teams enjoy lots of hitting, is also popular overseas.
Give softball a try—it’s a fun, active way for everyone to spend time together.
kickbase
It feels like the best of both baseball and soccer.
The pitcher rolls the ball, and you kick it to send it flying.
You can play in a schoolyard or park, so it’s perfect for having fun with everyone.
The rules are simple, so you can start right away.
It’s great for mixed groups, and it fits well into recess or PE class.
If you make it a team competition, it’ll get even more exciting.
To avoid injuries, it’s best to use a soft ball.
Working together to aim for victory is really fun, isn’t it? Let’s make some memories with kickbase!
Magma Game
The magma game, where you get to run around, is perfect for energetic middle schoolers! You can easily play it at parks that have equipment to use as escape spots or in the schoolyard.
After someone shouts “The floor is lava!” and a few seconds pass, the ground is considered magma—anyone still on the ground loses.
Since there’s a bit of last-minute pressure, it might even help train your calmness.
You can, of course, tweak the countdown, change how the magma rule works, or use special moves from anime as the call to make it even more fun!
