Recommended outdoor games you can enjoy without any equipment
We were all set to have a blast playing outside, but realized we didn’t have any equipment like balls or rackets! So here are some outdoor games you can enjoy even without any gear.
All you need are the people you’re playing with! You might use things you find in nature or draw lines in the sand, but there’s no need to bring anything from home.
There are games for big groups as well as ones that are fun with just a few people, so if you find something you want to try, give it a go!
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Recommended outdoor games you can enjoy without any equipment (1–10)
Red Light, Green Light
“Daruma-san ga koronda.” This is a classic outdoor game you can enjoy without any equipment.
While the “it” player faces away and chants, everyone else creeps closer.
If you’re caught moving when they turn around, you’re out! The last person remaining wins, but it’s also important to escape once the “it” player tags and chains onto someone.
The chant can be switched up—for example, to something like “Bon-san farted”—to make it even more fun.
It works with large or small groups, so it’s sure to liven up any impromptu outing.
Let’s all get moving and have a blast together!
Simple rhythm game
Let me introduce a simple rhythm game that can also serve as jump rope practice.
Place a circle on the ground to mark the starting position, and use it as your reference point for jumping.
Follow the caller’s instructions on where to jump.
At first, you’ll get simple commands like “forward,” “right,” and “up,” but as the level increases, combinations like “right-left” or “front-back” get mixed in, testing your reflexes.
The more complex it gets, the more excited kids are likely to be.
It doesn’t take up much space, so give it a try!
Tag
Tag is a game anyone can enjoy.
You don’t need any equipment, so you can start anytime, anywhere.
The rules are simple, so both kids and adults can have fun together.
You’ll be running around, leaving both your body and mind refreshed—and it’s good for your health, too.
Play with friends or family and you might grow even closer.
You’re sure to have a time full of smiles.
Come on, let’s all head outside and have a blast! Moving your body feels great.
Recommended outdoor games (11–20) that are fun to play without any equipment
Tag, child-catching demon (a variant of tag called “Kotorooni”/“Kotoro-oni”).
It’s a game played with an “it” (oni) and a line of children.
In regular tag, you run away so you don’t get caught by the tagger, right? In Kotorogui, the oni targets the child at the end of a single-file line.
The oni moves to try to tag the last child with a ball.
The child at the front of the line spreads their arms to guard the last child from the oni.
It’s surprisingly strenuous, making it perfect for kids who want to be active.
As the line gets longer, it becomes easier for the oni to exploit gaps in the guard.
Tag (or Tag, holding hands)
Do you know “Hand-Holding Tag”? It’s a classic outdoor game you can enjoy with a crowd in a big park or on a playground.
The person who’s “it” chases everyone, and when they tag someone, they hold hands and become “it” together.
The number of “it” players keeps growing, so the runners are on the edge of their seats! It’s not just about speed—keeping an eye on your surroundings and finding good escape routes is key.
You don’t need any special equipment, and everyone can get excited together.
Kids of course, but adults too can have fun and feel like a child again.
How about getting some fresh air and moving your body to the fullest?
Hide-and-seek
Hide-and-seek brings back that childhood thrill, doesn’t it? The charm is that you can start as soon as everyone’s gathered.
Once you pick who’s “it,” all that’s left is to find a hiding spot.
You can tuck yourself away in the shade of trees at the park, behind playground equipment, in the shadow of buildings—there are so many places to hide.
That heart-pounding feeling of almost being found is irresistible.
Some people race to see who’s fastest, others plan out strategies—everyone has their own way to have fun.
It’s a game that gets everyone excited while keeping safety in mind.
And the best part is, you can still enjoy it as an adult with family and friends.
grass sumo
It’s a game where you hook long blades of grass together and pull to see whose grass stays intact without breaking.
Since it’s a play activity that uses plants, an important aspect is how it draws attention to the surrounding nature.
The key to winning is choosing a stronger plant than your opponent’s—try to gauge how dense and sturdy it is and prepare the toughest grass you can find.
If you both pick plants from the same area, it reduces differences in species and makes the game fairer.
As you play more rounds, you might also discover better pulling techniques.
