Lovely Play & Recreation

Fun for up to 10 people! A collection of easy, no-equipment games and activities

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.

At events or gatherings, you might find yourself thinking, “Is there a game or activity we can do with about 10 people?” The tricky part is often when you don’t have any props.

But actually, there are plenty of lively, easy-to-play physical games! Moving your body naturally brings out smiles and sparks conversation.

In this article, we’ll introduce games that use your hands and body—like handshakes and clapping—that help you communicate right on the spot.

Even without any equipment, these fun games can be started immediately by both kids and adults, and they can even offer some brain-training benefits.

Fun for groups of 10! Easy, no-equipment games and activities (21–30)

Have fun with no props needed! The Gyutan (beef tongue) game

A simple, no-props party game: the 'Gyutan (Beef Tongue) Game'

Have fun with no props needed! The Gyutan (beef tongue) game

The “Gyūtan” game, which naturally gets everyone into a circle, is a fun game that people of all ages—from small children to the elderly—can enjoy together.

The rules are simple: the first person says “gyū” out loud, and the second person doesn’t say “tan” but claps instead.

The “tan” at the end increases one by one—three times, then four times, and so on.

If you get the number of “tan” wrong or fall off the rhythm, you lose.

Once you get used to it, it’s fun to try speeding it up as a challenge.

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In conclusion

We introduced games that can be easily enjoyed by groups of around ten people without any equipment.

By incorporating body movements like high-fives, handshakes, and clapping, everyone can share a joyful time full of smiles.

These games can also help train the brain, so try using them when you want to create a warm, friendly atmosphere.