Fun recreational games that liven up outdoor activities
If you’re going to the trouble of taking a trip or going camping, you’ll want to use your whole body to enjoy the great outdoors, right?
In this article, we’ll introduce fun outdoor recreation games that are recommended for everyone—kids and adults alike.
We’ve gathered activities ranging from energetic games that get you moving—essential for the outdoors—to slower-paced ones that let you listen to the sounds of nature.
“If we know we’re going out to play but haven’t decided what to do yet!” If that’s you, be sure to use this as a guide.
Let’s make the most of this special time and enjoy it to the fullest!
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Fun Outdoor Recreation Games to Liven Things Up (11–20)
Fire-starting showdown
Have any of you ever started a fire without using a lighter or matches? I haven’t (lol).
You see it on TV and such, right? Scenes where people rub wood or stones together to make a fire.
Let’s try that—and even turn it into a contest to see who can get a fire going faster.
It might be fun to split into teams: one using wood, the other using stones.
dizzy bat
Have you ever done the “spinning bat” game? You place the tip of a bat on the ground, press your forehead to the other end, and spin around it a set number of times.
Then you try to do things like walk straight.
In this version, after spinning, you run a set distance and compete on your time.
It’s even more exciting on uneven ground, since it’s that much harder to go straight!
Ping-pong relay
The rules are simple! All you need are some ping-pong balls and a ladle or spoon—anything shaped like a scoop will do.
Place a ping-pong ball on the ladle and race along a designated course in a relay format.
You could also have fun using golf balls or marbles instead of ping-pong balls.
Rafting experience
When it comes to river-descending activities, there’s not only canoeing but also something called rafting.
In this activity, participants board a relatively large rubber boat and work together to make it down the river to the goal.
Because teamwork and perfect coordination among participants are essential, it’s sure to strengthen bonds!
Beetle Battle
When it comes to quintessential beetles, rhinoceros beetles and stag beetles come to mind.
There are many different species of both.
As a child, I used to get up early and go out to catch rhinoceros beetles while it was still dark.
Male beetles use their horns skillfully to fight over feeding spots and territory.
Try pitting your favorite rhinoceros beetles and stag beetles against each other!
Tug-of-war showdown
When we think of tug-of-war, we picture big groups at a sports day, but if you think about it, as long as you have a rope, you can do it anywhere—even with just two people, right? So let’s have a tug-of-war match! You could spice it up with variant rules, like digging small pits around the area so that falling into one means you lose.
It would probably get pretty exciting.
Turning it into a tournament and seeing who advances would be fun too!
Fun outdoor recreation games that get everyone excited (21–30)
Fly! Don’t Fly Game
The “Jump or Don’t Jump” game is an easy group activity that gets more exciting with more players.
Participants line up side by side in a single row.
The leader gives commands using one of the phrases: “tobe” (jump), “jump,” or “tobuna” (don’t jump).
When participants hear the command, they should take one step forward by jumping.
If they step forward on the wrong word, they must return to the starting line and begin again.
The first person to reach the goal wins.
It can be even more fun if the leader mixes in tricky phrases to try to fool the players.
