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 that get everyone excited (21–30)
snack-eating contest
How about a candy-eating race—like the classic bread-eating race—during some downtime at your camp? After the barbecue, when everyone’s relaxing, you could play it as a snack-time game! Preparation is pretty simple: stretch a rope between two trees and clip snacks onto it with clothespins.
This bread-eating-race-style game, a staple of school sports days, can captivate not only kids but also adults who’ll find themselves getting nostalgic and totally into it.
For the treats, consider choosing mostly lightweight snacks like dagashi.
Canoe/Kayak
When you think of camping, you think of rivers.
And when you think of rivers, you think of going downstream—so how about canoeing or kayaking? These boats are often small, and your face is close to the water’s surface, making for an incredibly thrilling experience! They’re also highly maneuverable, so you can slip into small caves and gaps between rocks.
Fun Recreational Games to Liven Up the Outdoors (31–40)
Red Light, Green Light!
The ultimate high-tension game that brings out your inner child: “Daruma-san ga Koronda!” The rules are simple: while the tagger says “Daruma-san ga koronda” and turns around, the other players quietly move forward.
If you’re caught moving, you’re out! It’s a classic children’s game, but when adults play, things heat up fast.
A battle of stillness and motion—a psychological showdown.
It’s perfect for company recreation, too.
Sprinting in suits, and that unexpected colleague is surprisingly agile…? With nonstop laughter and surprises, this fresh take on a “stop-and-go” game will bring your team closer together.
Outdoor activities: fun games everyone can play together!
This is a game called “Catch.” Choose one person to be the leader, and have the other participants form a circle.
Hold out your right hand with the palm facing up toward the person on your right, and place your left index finger on the palm of the person to your left.
When the leader says “Catch,” quickly close your right hand, and with your left hand, try to pull your index finger away so it doesn’t get caught.
The leader should vary the timing by stretching out “Ca, ca, caaaatch…” or throw in feints by saying something like “Cat!” instead.
It’s a simple game that helps break the ice and get everyone excited, even with people you’re meeting for the first time.
late hand in rock-paper-scissors
A normal rock-paper-scissors game is too easy! In that case, try playing “after-the-fact rock-paper-scissors.” The leader plays as usual by saying “Jan-ken-pon” and showing rock, paper, or scissors.
The participants must then respond after seeing it and beat that hand.
Because you have to instantly recognize what the leader showed and choose the winning hand, it’s trickier than it sounds.
A few people will slip up and lose or end in a tie.
Try turning it into a knockout format or speeding it up to increase the difficulty and have fun!
campfire
When it comes to classic outdoor camp activities, that’s right—it’s the campfire.
You can stack the firewood in a crisscross pattern like a hash mark, keep it simple like a basic bonfire, or even stuff wood into an empty oil drum and burn it.
What matters most is the fire.
But be sure to handle it with great care.
And of course, don’t do it at campsites where open flames are prohibited!
Jump into a rock-paper-scissors game!
The “Rock-Paper-Scissors Jump Game,” which combines rock-paper-scissors with jumping, is a playful activity that helps children learn how to use their bodies while potentially improving their athletic ability.
Create waiting spots on the left and right, and have participants play rock-paper-scissors with the person next to them.
The winner then jumps while moving from their current waiting spot to the one on the opposite side.
It’s a simple game that repeats this process, so any child old enough to play rock-paper-scissors can join.
For the jumping styles, start with a “rock” jump keeping both feet together, then move to a “scissors” jump.
After that, switch to a gallop and finally to a “paper” jump.