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 Recreational Games to Liven Up the Outdoors (31–40)
Where are you from?
This is a variation of the game “Antagata Dokosa” that you can enjoy around a campfire.
Everyone holds hands and stands in a circle around the fire.
To the rhythm of the song “Antagata Dokosa,” you walk clockwise, but whenever the syllable “sa” appears in the lyrics, you squat down on the spot.
It’s important to listen carefully to avoid mistakes.
Another variation is to switch the walking direction from clockwise to counterclockwise every time you hear “sa,” and then switch back the next time it occurs.
As the tempo speeds up, the confusion and laughter grow, making it a recreation that captivates both children and adults.
Outdoor Badminton
When you want to get active outdoors without much fuss, badminton is perfect.
The problem is that on windy days the shuttlecock won’t fly the way you want, which can spoil the fun.
That’s why today I’m introducing “outdoor badminton,” which handles wind better.
Outdoor badminton shuttlecocks are made a bit heavier, so they fly straight and fast even in a breeze.
The rackets also have larger heads and shorter grips.
The larger face makes it easier to catch the shuttle, and the shorter grip makes it easier to swing even with wind resistance.
If you’re thinking about playing badminton while camping, you should definitely consider picking one up.
Ogostic
Ogostick is played using a stick that looks like a deer’s antler and a hemp ball.
Hook the stick onto the ball’s weave to toss it back and forth, and try to catch it skillfully.
It can be tricky to throw at first, but once you get used to it, it’s easy and fun.
When you throw, think about tossing upward rather than forward.
If you’re looking for a different kind of game to play while camping, try Ogostick for a fresh, new experience.
Soap bubble play
If your camping trip includes children, how about playing with soap bubbles? You can get the bubble solution and wands at 100-yen shops, and you can also make them yourself.
For the solution, just mix water and dish soap.
If you want the bubbles to be more durable, add some sugar or liquid starch.
You can easily make wands from items like old hangers, straws, or pipe cleaners.
Enjoy blowing bubbles in the open air and take in the beautiful scenery.
Puzzle-solving game
When you think of campfires, songs and dances are the classics, but a great new staple we recommend is puzzle-solving games.
They’re an intellectual recreation you can enjoy even in the dark, ranging from simple to aha-moment challenges—like wordplay puzzles that ask what a string of hiragana is pointing to, or cipher-style questions using arrows and kanji.
They’re fun for everyone from kids to adults, and you can adjust the difficulty to suit the group size and age range.
You can tackle them solo or enjoy them as team competitions—there are many ways to play.
Give them a try!
Fun outdoor recreation games that liven things up (41–50)
mess tin cooking
One of the most enjoyable and practical parts of camping is cooking rice with a mess tin! With electric rice cookers so common nowadays, many people may have never cooked rice directly over a fire, so it could be a refreshing experience.
Adjusting the amount of water and the heat, and seeing who can cook it best could be a fun competition!
Handcrafting a spoon
Try taking on something you wouldn’t normally do out in nature! Handcrafting a spoon to use for meals is a perfect example—it’s a true taste of camping-style survival.
Use firewood for the campfire or broken tree branches as your materials, and carve it out with a knife.
You’ll end up with a one-of-a-kind item you could never buy in a store.