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Games and ideas for playing at the creek
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Games and ideas for playing at the creek

If you ever stopped at a river with your children you might have observed, that water is always fascinating for them. Almost magically, kids are attracted to the water and play in the shortest time by or in the creek.

The creek or the river bed give an ideal opportunity to discover nature close up.

You hear birds singing, frogs, quacking, the buzzing of insects or the splashing of water. In the water you can feel the mud or slippery stones, tadpoles, small fish, flea hoppers, crayfish or discover small water snails, dragonflies and much more.

Dangers and considerations at the waterfront

Almost magically, kids are attracted to the water
and play in the shortest time by or in the creek.
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It goes by itself that you explain to the kids that there could be nesting birds at the shore area and therefore, flora and fauna are not to be damaged. Lastly, there are some dangers along the river to consider as well.

A steep embankment that can break off
Wooden posts or iron parts which are hidden in the water
Slippery stones
Not to jump into shallow water
Dirty, contaminated water
A too strong current
The root system of the bank area in which one could catch oneself

bathing and swimming with tire tubes
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If you are travelling with children or teenagers, you should also have a small First Aid Kit with you. Band-aids, bandages, tweezers are recommended. Many times children have been injured by broken glass or have come across a sharp stone.

Game ideas for the creek

Since children have such a fascination with water, this guarantees, that you can spend time on end there without getting bored. Depending on the situation dams can be built, you can bathe in the creek or river, float with a lilo swimming rings, the options are endless. In short, there are many opportunities to play by the river and discover nature at the same time. Here are just a few ideas that might be appropriate for a creek or river. There are over 140 water ideas in the games collection.

Ferry with the help of a rope

Tighten a rope across the river. Now get your lilo or raft and handle from one side to the other of the river.

Make it more challenging: A ferryman now has to take one team player after another to the other side. Which team crossed over the fastest?
Tossing stones

Every child looks for suitable flat rocks. The challenge is to let the stone flip across the river as many as possible times. Who will be the winner?
Count the animals you have discovered

Each child is given 10 minutes where he has to discover as many as possible animals. All observations are collected. How many different animals were found?
Building a waterwheel

A simple waterwheel can be created out of cork.

That’s how it is done:

Put a metal rod through the cork. On each side attach a forked branch. With a sharp knife cave 5 notches in the cork. In each of these notches insert equal sized plastic wings are. These are the "rotor blades", which, when put in the creek, will spin the wheel.

The plastic wings can be cut out of yoghurt or margarine containers. It is essential that the wings have the same dimensions so that the shaft can rotate evenly with the attached arms.
Float boat made of paper

Fold a few paper boats. On command, all boats are put into the water. Whose boat manages to reach a target 5-10 meters away? Which boat sinks before reaching the destination?
Make a small boat from cork and wood

Instead of folding a boat out of paper try to make a raft out of wooden sticks and corks. You can also attach a small mast with a paper sail. Which raft makes it to the finish? Alternatively, sails in the right direction?
Handle yourself across the river without touching the water.

Tighten a rope across the creek. Now each kid can handle himself across.
Water Fight

What would water be without a water fight? The goal is to make each other as wet as possible. Alternatively, to pull them into the water. Bring down as many as possible opponents. This game is great fun, and no one stays dry.

Jumping into the water

Simple but efficient and always fun. Who creates the biggest ass bomb, the highest spatter? Note: only jump into the water where the water depth allows so.
Air mattresses races or competitions

You can either sunbathe on your air mattresses, race it, or push the opponent off his inflatable mattress. Every lilo makes it more fun in the water.
Tire Tube Race

Floating rings or old tires are ideal for floating on the water. You sit with your butt in the ring and stay chilled entirely on the water.

Of course, you can organize a race.

Alternatively, you can try to get the respective opponent out of balance, so that his tire tube tilts.
Crossing the river bed without shoes

Find a suitable place and cross the river barefooted.

At a suitable place, the river is crossed barefoot. This can be done very slowly, but you can also make a race out of it. However, make sure that you do that game where are no stones so that nobody gets hurt.

Build raft out of tire tubes and organize a race

If you have a few tire tubes and a wooden pallet, you can build a raft out of it. With the help of a paddle or just with the hands a race is organized. Which team is fastest, to the other side and back? On the other shore and back again.
Try to cross the creek on rocks without getting wet

Depending on the situation, try to jump from one stone to the next. The aim is to pass the river without getting wet. The game gets harder the wider the creek is. You can start with a narrow spot and then maybe find some challenging spots along the river, where you can jump right across the creek to the other side.
Stone-throwing to the opposite bank - hit a target

If you happen to be at a wide river, you can try to hit a target on the other side with rocks. Of course, this is only possible if you do not endanger anyone on the other side.