Fun activities, recreational games, and DIY using ropes and cords
We’ve gathered fun rope-based games, recreational activities, and DIY ideas! When you think of ropes, the classics like long rope jumping, tug-of-war, and elements of obstacle courses come to mind, right?
This time, we’ve collected everything from those classics to some more elaborate and quirky ideas! And it’s not always easy to come up with rope-based DIY projects, is it? But actually, there are lots of wonderful DIYs you can enjoy with rope, so we’ll introduce those as well! Use this as inspiration for playing with rope or for when you want to make something!
- Play ideas kids can enjoy from 1st to 6th grade [indoors & outdoors]
- [Play Right Away!] Exciting Recreation Games Recommended for Elementary School Students
- [Rec] Challenge! A roundup of jump rope tricks and techniques
- A simple and fun co-op game that enhances teamwork
- Icebreakers that get people moving (for both small and large groups)
- [Easy and Surprising] Rope Magic Tricks [For Parties and Events]
- DIY Hula Hoop Ideas for Kids
- Fun activities for junior high school students. Recreation games.
- A collection of simple indoor recreational games
- [Simple Games] Recommended Indoor Recreational Activities for Adults
- [Elementary School] Quick and Easy! Indoor Recreational Activities Perfect for Lower Grades
- [Sports] Recreational games using a ball [Play]
- Fun winter activities: Recreations that children can enjoy
Fun activities using ropes and cords: recreation games and DIY (21–30)
Rope Knot Game
Normally, we tie ropes using our fingers and hands, and there are famously many different types of knots.
But here, instead of using fingers or hands, the idea is to tie the rope by having people pass through it or pinch it.
It’s a good way to study knot-tying, and the satisfaction when you pull it off well is truly wonderful, isn’t it?
One-Leg Rope Sumo
The rules are simple, and it’s an intuitive game called “One-Leg Rope Sumo.” Stand on one leg and pull on two ropes; whoever’s foot or body part touches the floor loses.
The rules are simple, but it seems quite deep, involving core strength and timing your pulls.
You can play with short ropes, so feel free to give it a try!
[Jump Rope Song] One Crow
![[Jump Rope Song] One Crow](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/wPwy8rVMI2M/sddefault.jpg)
A jump rope game for large groups: ‘ōnawatobi’ (big jump rope).
How about trying it to the children’s song ‘Ichi wa no karasu ga’? It looks tricky to jump into the rope smoothly in time with the song’s rhythm! Give it a try in real life.
Big waves, small waves in a long-rope jump
The “big wave and small wave” version of long rope jumping is a game everyone can enjoy that tests timing and teamwork.
Two people turn the rope, moving it up and down rhythmically, and the jumpers enter in time with the rhythm and jump at the right moment.
For the big wave, the rope is swung up and down in large motions; for the small wave, it’s swung lower and faster—this variation is also recommended.
Counting together out loud boosts a sense of unity, and succeeding creates a strong feeling of togetherness.
As you get used to it, you can add changes to the rhythm or speed up the turns for more advanced play, expanding the ways to enjoy it.
It’s a game that fosters solidarity and a sense of achievement.
[Magic] A rope that passes through the spectator’s arm
![[Magic] A rope that passes through the spectator’s arm](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/0pWBDGcAru8/sddefault.jpg)
Here’s an easy magic trick that looks pretty good, too! It’s a rope trick that seems to pass right through your spectator’s arm, and involving the audience definitely adds to the magician vibe.
The secret, however, is simple: at the moment you let go, you re-hook your finger onto the rope.
Easy to explain—now try it out for yourself!
Rope-Under Relay
Once you’ve made rope loops of suitable sizes to fit the participants’ body types, you’re ready to go.
Form a circle in small groups by holding hands, and without letting go, each person passes their body through the rope.
Compete in a relay to see how fast you can get the loop all the way around.
Individual flexibility and teamwork are the keys to success.
Verification of how to play with a lasso
That lasso they use in Westerns to catch the bad guys while riding a horse—so cool, right? Spinning it round and round and then whoosh, throwing it far—that look is just awesome! How about actually trying a lasso yourself? Learn the knots and give it a try! If it goes well, you might just feel like the star of a Western!