Fun games in the river. Recreational games
“What exactly are you supposed to do when playing in a river?” You might be wondering that yourself.
Simply wading in the shallows or swimming a little can make for a fun day by the river, but for those who want to know a bit more about children’s summer outdoor activities, here are some recommended games and recreational ideas you can enjoy at the river.
We’ve got everything from activities that require no equipment to fairly serious adventures!
Get out into nature, dive in wholeheartedly, and we hope you make all kinds of new discoveries!
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Fun River Activities: Recreation Games (11–20)
Bodyboard
Let’s use a bodyboard to play in the river! You might associate bodyboards more with the ocean, but you can enjoy them anywhere there’s water.
They aren’t very large and they’re light, so they’re easy to handle.
You can ride on one and have fun drifting with the river’s current, and if you’re in a calmer spot, you can hop on, kick your legs to move, and even race each other.
Rafting
Rafting is an activity where you get into a large inflatable boat that seats eight people and paddle together as a team to go down a river.
When people think of rafting, they often imagine dramatic splashes in raging rapids and an experience full of thrills, but there are also many courses that even small children can enjoy.
Since teamwork is essential, the sense of achievement and unity you feel when you reach the goal becomes an unforgettable memory.
Re-Buggy Board
If you want to enjoy powerful splashes and roller-coaster-level thrills, we recommend “river boogie boarding.” It’s like a river version of a bodyboard and is still a relatively new activity in Japan.
You control the board yourself as you ride downstream.
Since you go down the river face-down, there’s less air resistance, so you can really feel the speed! You’ll experience the river’s current up close and enjoy an exhilarating whitewater ride, making it a great choice for anyone interested in outdoor activities.
underwater scooter
The underwater scooter called Trident is a delightful item that’s lighter and more compact than typical models, expanding the ways you can enjoy river activities! Weighing just 3.5 kg, it’s easy to carry.
It can run for up to 45 minutes, making it perfect for river adventures.
It’s usable down to a depth of 50 meters, so you can also use it for snorkeling and diving.
While river play can be risky, it comes with a lock function, so you don’t have to worry about it suddenly starting up—safe and secure.
You can also mount a GoPro, letting you capture powerful footage and enjoy river activities even more!
stand-up paddleboarding
Stand-up paddleboarding is an activity where you stand on a board and paddle to move forward.
It’s usually done on gently flowing rivers, so it’s recommended for people who don’t like speed or fear, and for those who want to relax and enjoy the scenery.
Shower climbing
Shower climbing is an activity where you ascend a mountain stream on foot, by swimming, and sometimes using ropes.
The sense of accomplishment when you reach the top is unlike anything else.
Another appeal is that the higher you climb, the closer you get to the source of the stream, and the clearer the water becomes.
Fun River Activities: Recreational Games (21–30)
Stone picking
How about picking up and collecting stones in the shallow parts of a river? You might think, “Aren’t all stones the same?” but they’re actually very different.
There are various kinds of stones—of course natural stones, but also chert, worked stones, volcanic rock, limestone, and many more.
They’re all called stones, yet they differ in size, patterns, and hardness.
Some even become beautiful when polished.
It’s also fun to crack them with a hammer and look at the patterns inside.