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: 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.
Snorkeling
When people hear “snorkeling,” they often picture scuba diving in the ocean with oxygen tanks, but you can have fun in rivers too! All you need are a mask and a snorkel.
A snorkel is that tube you hold in your mouth with the other end sticking out of the water so you can breathe.
You can spot small fish even in shallow areas, and it’s fun to watch the riverbed and the flow of the water.
If children are playing, be sure to check safety thoroughly!
Searching for the source
Have you ever wanted to see the source of the river that flows near your home? Well, let’s go take a look right now! Just follow the river upstream by bicycle or whatever you like.
It’s exciting when you reach a narrower branch.
Taking photos here and there for the record and posting them on social media can be fun, too.
I highly recommend this little exploration tour.
Aqua Ball
Aqua ball is an activity where you get inside a large, air-filled vinyl ball and enjoy walking on water.
The sensation of walking on water is unique, and stepping on the water feels really pleasant.
However, if the current is fast, you may not be able to walk properly or you could get carried away, so I recommend playing in a gently flowing river.
barbecue
When it comes to river activities, barbecues are the classic choice.
Just thinking about the colorful vegetables, delicious meats, and fresh fish is enough to make your mouth water.
A regular barbecue is wonderful, of course, but grilling fish you’ve just caught on the spot, along with foraged mountain vegetables and mushrooms, is unbeatable.
Please be very careful to avoid food poisoning.
fishing
For those who’ve grown tired of ordinary river play, river fishing is highly recommended.
River fishing has great depth, and some people get hooked and make it a lifelong hobby.
You can enjoy fishing in rivers all over the country, and another appealing point is that fish caught in clear streams are delicious to eat.
Dive into the waterfall basin
If you come across a waterfall basin or a small cliff, why not try jumping in? Of course, don’t do it where jumping is prohibited, but otherwise feel free to take the plunge.
Just be sure to check the river’s depth and the height of the cliff so you don’t get injured.
waterfall meditation
It’s limited to rivers with waterfalls, but how about doing takigyō (waterfall meditation)? You could simply stand under a waterfall, or you might visit a temple and try a guided takigyō experience.
If you’ve got something on your mind, practicing takigyō might help you refresh and organize your thoughts.
Watermelon splitting
When you think of suikawari, it’s a classic summer seaside game, but of course you can enjoy it by the river too.
There’s a special thrill—a kind of forbidden delight—in doing something you don’t normally do, like smashing a whole watermelon with a stick.
And it’s irresistible that everyone can dig in and enjoy it together after it’s cracked open.
Put on a blindfold, take a bat or stick, and spin around a few times.
Then aim for where you think the watermelon should be and swing down.
As shown in the video, keeping the watermelon in a plastic bag while you break it keeps things sanitary and helps prevent making a mess.
Treasure Hunt
Let’s try going treasure hunting with a metal detector, a bucket, and a shovel.
When you hear “metal detector,” it can sound kind of professional, but these days they’re even sold as toys.
They’re colorful and cute, and they don’t cost that much.
You never know what a metal detector will react to, but finding pretty stones or glass marbles rounded smooth by the water is lovely, too.