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)
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.
Fun river activities. Recreational games (31–40)
Firefly watching
From around May to June, you can see fireflies along the river.
Festivals and concerts are often held to coincide with this, so it might be a good idea to check for information in early spring.
The period when fireflies can be seen is short, so please keep that in mind.
E-boat
An E-boat is a ten-person, human-powered rowing boat.
Its selling point is how easy it is to operate, so anyone can get started casually.
It’s often done on wide, calm rivers, which keeps the risk low, and on some rivers you can enjoy it as a leisurely cruise.
Canoe/Kayak
Canoeing and kayaking are activities where one or two people paddle a boat to go down a river.
They’re smaller than the boats used for rafting, so they’re more maneuverable—and more thrilling, too.
There are tours where you can explore narrow caves that only canoes or kayaks can enter, and see breathtaking scenery, so be sure to look for those.
Napping by the riverside
How about taking a nap surrounded by the soothing sounds of nature? All you need is a picnic blanket, something to cover yourself with like a blanket depending on the season, and a cushion or pillow.
A hammock is also recommended if you have one.
Napping while surrounded by the genuine sounds of a flowing river and birdsong is quite a luxury, isn’t it?
In conclusion
We introduced river activities and recreational games.
River play is something both adults and children can get totally into and enjoy.
It’s definitely something you’ll want to try at least once in the summer! A nearby riverside spot is fine, but there are also designated safe places for river activities, so if you’re going with children, be sure to look them up in advance.