[Elementary School] Games and Recreational Activities to Enjoy at a Forest School Camp

Drop the Handkerchief

Showa-era game: Drop the Handkerchief

A classic Showa-era game.

All you need is a handkerchief, so it won’t get in the way even on a gear-heavy nature school trip.

You can play it in short breaks, so it’s worth slipping into the program! Everyone sits in a circle, and the “it” person places a handkerchief behind someone’s back.

If the person doesn’t notice, they lose; if they do notice, they chase the “it” person, and if they tag them, “it” loses.

It’s simple but fun, and suitable even for lower grades.

The lighter the handkerchief, the livelier the game, so prepare a thin one.

Boccia

People with disabilities and those without follow the same rules… Elementary school students in Takamatsu City experience the Paralympic sport “boccia”

Boccia is an official Paralympic sport.

Its appeal has been gaining attention, and I’ve heard that now not only people with disabilities but also nondisabled people enjoy playing together.

Since it doesn’t require a large space like baseball or soccer, it’s easy to play even on a school campgrounds.

Often called “curling on the ground,” the sport mainly involves throwing balls, so differences in physique aren’t much of a concern.

It seems like everyone could have fun together even in mixed-grade groups from lower to upper grades! You can buy boccia balls online.

Squirrel in the Tree Game

Tree and Squirrel Game

Some places call it the “Tree and Squirrel Game.” You might remember playing it in kindergarten or daycare.

It’s a classic icebreaker that helps you get friendly even with people you’ve just met.

First, form groups of three and assign roles: two people are the tree, and one person is the squirrel inside the tree.

When the caller shouts “A hunter is coming,” the squirrel inside the tree moves.

When they shout “A woodcutter is coming,” the two people forming the tree move.

When they shout “The wind is coming,” all three players move and form a new “tree and squirrel.” The person who calls out the cues is “it.” It’s a recreation game you can enjoy even without a large space, and of course it’s suitable for all grade levels!

Orienteering

[For Beginners] The Basics of Orienteering [Practical Edition]

Orienteering is a sport where you use a map and compass to travel through fields and mountains, pass through checkpoints, and aim for the finish.

Some say it originated as training in the Swedish military.

Since entering unfamiliar mountains can be dangerous for elementary school children, make sure to customize the course so they can follow proper trails.

Adding a bit of a puzzle-solving element can give it a modern twist.

If everyone just races to be the fastest, the fun can sometimes be reduced, so you might consider ideas like “the team that finishes in exactly 60 minutes wins.”

Dodgebee

Dodgebee | Sport Introduction

Have you heard of “Dodgebee”? It’s a sport like dodgeball played with a disc similar to a Frisbee.

Some of you might even say, “We play it at school!” There are detailed rules—like using a court the same size as a volleyball court and having 13 players per team—but if you’re enjoying it at a camp, all you really need is a Dodgebee disc.

Unlike a regular Frisbee, this disc is made of a very soft material, so it’s safe even if it accidentally hits someone’s face.

You can’t play when it’s very windy, so having a gymnasium makes it even better.

Gesture Game

Kids and adults alike go all out! Gesture game!

All things considered, this gesture game has been enjoyed since the early days of television.

Even in the Reiwa era, you still see it as a segment on TV shows.

Let’s get everyone excited with a gesture game as a fun activity for outdoor school trips or around the campfire at night! Ask the class favorite to demonstrate first to warm up the crowd.

Be sure to prepare drawing paper or flip cards with the prompts written on them in advance.

The key to having fun is to choose prompts that aren’t too difficult.

Everyday things like dogs, cats, or fish work well.

Recommended for upper elementary grades.

Hand-push sumo

Ep.42 | [Secret Techniques Unleashed] Hand-Push Sumo No.1 Championship! [MAZZEL ROOM #Mazebeya 🛋️]

By the time kids reach the upper grades of elementary school, there’s quite a noticeable difference in their sizes, and that makes regular sumo a bit too imbalanced.

In that case, how about playing “hand-push sumo” instead? Surprisingly, this game can be enjoyed regardless of size differences.

It might even be trending among kids now—NHK Educational TV’s popular show “Suiensā” did a special on hand-push sumo techniques.

It could be nice to secretly teach these tips to smaller students.

Since you can play it even on rainy days, it might be a good idea to prepare a backup plan for rainy weather, like a tournament bracket!