Fun! Spring activities for children: recreation and hands-on play

Go hiking and mountain climbing

Day trip: Oze Marshland & Lake Ozenuma — May 8, 2016

Outdoor activities, especially camping, are gaining attention, and for spring I recommend mountain activities like hiking and trekking.

In spring, various plants sprout and bloom, and you can also spot many kinds of wildlife such as birds and insects.

Some mountains require walking on unpaved trails, while others have well-maintained paths that make them easy to climb, so choose a mountain that suits the age and stamina of the children you’re going with.

The spectacular view from the top after a hard climb is sure to resonate with the kids.

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Hane Keisuke

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Balance Walker

I played on a balance walker ♪ slacklining

A balance walker that lets you walk along a flat tape is perfect for outdoor play in spring.

Start by setting the wide tape at a low height and be sure to take proper precautions to prevent injuries.

Children are good at balancing, but they will still need a bit of practice.

Try playing in a safe area where they won’t get hurt even if they fall, and have fun.

Birdwatching

I went birdwatching!

Spring often draws our attention to plants, but it’s also the season when many kinds of birds become active.

Birds are busy in spring too—seeking flower nectar and chasing small insects.

It’s a pastime that children interested in living creatures are likely to enjoy.

Each species has its own unique song, and it’s fun to listen carefully for them.

With binoculars and a wildlife guidebook, the enjoyment of birdwatching will more than double.

bouldering

Kids Bouldering Competition HKC2014

Bouldering is an activity where you grip protrusions on a cliff and steadily climb upward.

It’s become quite a trend recently, and indoor bouldering gyms have been popping up all over.

It’s a refreshing sport that’s fun because you rely solely on your own body—mainly upper body strength—to climb to impressive heights.

Many facilities also accommodate children, so why not try your first bouldering session this spring?

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Murakami Shinpei

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Get on a boat

Spring 2011. Shinobazu Pond. Cherry blossoms. Swan boats.

How about trying a boat ride in spring? In winter it just feels way too cold, so it’s something we tend to avoid.

It’s not only kids—even as adults, we don’t often get to ride boats, and the out-of-the-ordinary experience is sure to get everyone excited! In parks with large ponds, you can often find swan boats or small rowboats to ride.

You could let the kids do the rowing, or mom or dad could show off by rowing the boat in style!

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Hane Keisuke

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Ball Drop Game

Introducing Japan's most entertaining recreation. Easy for everyone from children to seniors.

Let’s work together to reach the goal! Here’s an idea for a ball drop target game.

All you need are two brooms, a bucket, and a ball.

Hold one broom in each hand, roll the ball along the tops of the brooms, then spread your arms at the right moment to drop the ball into the bucket! Communicating and coordinating with each other should boost your success rate.

You can also adapt the idea using a cardboard tube from plastic wrap, a deep bowl, and colorful balls.

Give it a try as a fun spring activity!

Trampoline play at the park

I played on a trampoline. 😊

On a spring day, let’s go outside and have a blast playing on the trampoline.

Kids love to jump, don’t they? Indoor trampolines can be noisy depending on your home, but in a spacious place like a park, you can bounce around without worrying about the sound.

In a large area, you can also get creative—connect two trampolines together or combine one with an inflatable pool for even more ways to play.

Go to the zoo

Outing: We went to Fuji Safari Park, Part 2 ❤ Zoo | Toy Kids

When it comes to classic spring outing spots, zoos are the obvious choice.

These days, many zoos have areas where you can interact with small animals, making them great for children.

Spring is also baby season for many animals, so you can see lots of adorable newborns.

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Saitō Ayumu

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Looking for a four-leaf clover

I tried a four-leaf clover time attack and got an unexpected result!?

The four-leaf clover is something every adult has seen at least once.

In Japanese it’s called shiratsumekusa (white clover).

By the way, the one with red flowers is akatsumekusa (red clover).

Each of the four leaves is said to represent good luck, hope, faithfulness, and love, and it’s long been believed that good things happen to those who find one.

Many children are probably hearing this for the first time, so after they hear the story, they might start searching for one in earnest.

It’s a plant you can see a lot in spring.

It’s a perfect pretext to get kids, who tend to stay cooped up indoors, outside! If you find a four-leaf clover, be sure to press it as a keepsake.

wild vegetable foraging

Mountain outing: stream fishing, foraging mountain vegetables, and tempura, 2015-04-26

Spring is actually peak season for foraging wild mountain vegetables, and it’s the time when you can harvest many kinds.

How about going out to forage with your kids? You can often find edibles like warabi (bracken), tara-no-me (angelica tree shoots), and fukinoto (butterbur buds), which are great boiled or as tempura.

However, people can get lost in the mountains or accidentally pick toxic plants, so if possible, it’s best to go with someone you know who has experience foraging.

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Hane Keisuke

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