Games for 20 People with No Equipment Needed: A Collection of Fun Ideas That Use Your Body and Mind
Good news for anyone looking for no-equipment games that even 20 people can enjoy! Here, we introduce fun activities that get everyone moving their bodies or using their brains together.
Because no tools are required, you can start easily—and there are plenty of ideas that naturally spark communication.
From simple number-based rules to competitive team challenges that require cooperation, you’ll find lots of ideas to warm up the atmosphere.
Spend a delightful time together that’s sure to bring out smiles!
Games for 20 People with No Equipment! A Collection of Lively Ideas Using Body and Mind (1–10)
Red Light, Green Light!
The ultimate high-tension game that brings out your inner child: “Daruma-san ga Koronda!” The rules are simple: while the tagger says “Daruma-san ga koronda” and turns around, the other players quietly move forward.
If you’re caught moving, you’re out! It’s a classic children’s game, but when adults play, things heat up fast.
A battle of stillness and motion—a psychological showdown.
It’s perfect for company recreation, too.
Sprinting in suits, and that unexpected colleague is surprisingly agile…? With nonstop laughter and surprises, this fresh take on a “stop-and-go” game will bring your team closer together.
Mukkuri Kuma-san!
“Mukkuri Kuma-san” is a game of tag where you can enjoy music and singing.
First, choose one person to be “it” (the bear), and the others will be the children who run away.
The bear sits down and covers their face with both hands.
The children form a circle around the bear, hold hands, and walk around the bear while singing along to the music.
In the lyrics, there is a part at the end where the bear wakes up; at that point, the bear opens their eyes and starts chasing the children.
When the bear wakes up, the children should immediately let go of each other’s hands and run away.
Whoever is caught becomes the next bear.
Territory game! S-Ken
A game called “S-Ken,” where teams compete to steal a treasure from territories drawn in a large S-shape.
Participants split into two teams and start from their respective sides.
Decide roles in advance: who will defend your territory and who will steal the enemy’s treasure.
When the start signal is given, move by hopping on one foot from outside the S to the enemy’s territory.
Once you enter the enemy’s area, you can move with both feet, so quickly grab the treasure.
The square spaces near the enemy territory are safe zones where you can stand on both feet and rest.
Those in your own territory should push enemies out of your area and protect the treasure.
The treasure can be anything like a stone on the ground.
Fun in a group! Daikon-pulling game
Divide into two teams: the radishes and the pullers.
The radish team lies face down in a circle and links arms firmly.
When you’re ready, the puller team starts pulling the radishes.
Only pull by the legs—be careful not to pull on clothing.
If a radish doesn’t come out easily, work together, such as having two people pull one radish.
You can decide that pulling out all the radishes within the time limit wins, or let the child who gets pulled out become the next radish.
Arranged ice ogre
In freeze tag, if a child is touched by the It (oni), they freeze and can’t move; if a teammate touches them, they can run again.
It’s a classic game of tag that kids have loved for ages.
First, decide who’s It with rock-paper-scissors or similar.
Choose the number of Its based on the total number of players.
At the start signal, the children run away and the It chases them.
The It should not only chase the runners but also guard frozen players to prevent them from being rescued.
When freezing, standing still is fine, but you can also add a twist—like striking a monkey pose—so it’s clear they’ve been tagged.
Rock-Paper-Scissors Game Jump!
Participants split into two teams and face each other from opposite ends of the room.
When the signal to start is given, play rock-paper-scissors with a teammate; those who win move toward the opposite side by jumping.
Once you reach the other side, play rock-paper-scissors again, and repeat.
It’s a very simple game, so incorporate different types of jumps for the movement: a “rock” jump where you hop with both feet together, then a “scissors” jump that’s like practicing skipping, and next a “paper” jump with your legs spread wide.
It feels like you’re evolving as you go, and it’s a lot of fun.
Have fun with variations! The ‘Wild Beast Hunting Game’
In the classic Beast Hunt game, you form groups based on the number of letters in the beast’s name, but this is a remixed version! It starts the same with the leader’s call, “Let’s go hunt beasts!” followed by everyone shouting out weapon names in a call-and-response.
From there, the leader and the children head out to slay the beasts.
There are small beasts and big ones, so choose your weapons as you go and take them down.
The adult acting as the leader will need some performance skills, but kids love pretend battles.
Let your inner child out and have fun together!
Mr. Wolf, what time is it now?
Let’s play tag while enjoying a call-and-response using the phrase, “Mr.
Wolf, what time is it?” First, choose one player to be “It” (the wolf).
The children face the wolf and ask, “Mr.
Wolf, what time is it?” The wolf answers with various times, and if it’s anything other than “3 o’clock,” the children respond, “Phew, thank goodness!” If the wolf says “3 o’clock,” that’s the signal to start chasing.
Run away so you don’t get caught! Whoever gets caught becomes the next wolf.
Tag, where kids and adults both have fun: “Hand-Holding Oni (Tag)”
Participants are divided into one “it” and the “children.” The children form pairs and hold hands.
At the start signal, the children run away, and “it” chases them and tries to touch their joined hands.
When a pair is touched by “it,” they must let go, find a new partner, hold hands again, and keep running.
At the finish signal, any child who is in a pair is safe; any child left alone loses.
If there are many children, you can increase the number of “it” players.
It’s a game everyone can enjoy, and it helps people get friendly even if they’re meeting for the first time.
You can play it in the classroom too! Haiihadon
Sit in a circle and stack your left hands in order.
Decide the order, and when someone says “Hai,” the person whose hand is at the very bottom moves it to the very top.
When they say “Iha,” the person whose hand is at the very top keeps it at the top.
When they say “Don,” the person with the bottom hand lightly taps everyone’s hands from above.
Through this game, children develop concentration, quick reactions, and a sense of unity with those around them.
It’s a game that fills the classroom with laughter even when mistakes happen and instantly livens things up.
No tools or preparation are needed, so you can start right away.
It’s recommended as a quick communication activity for class recreation or morning time.
Adults can enjoy it together, too.