Ideas for indoor activities, games, and group play that 5-year-olds enjoy

Seven Steps

Fingerplay counting song 'Seven Step' rhythm game

Let’s have fun with a counting song fingerplay! Here are some ideas for Seven Steps.

This activity is a rhythm game that nurtures concentration by counting while moving the body.

Some children may find it a bit difficult until they get used to the rules, but sharing the sense of accomplishment with friends when they succeed will deepen their bonds.

If they make mistakes, don’t get discouraged—keep the atmosphere light and try again! This can help foster children’s perseverance and a mindset that doesn’t give up.

Pun Quiz

[Quiz & Riddles] Pun Quiz / Take on the challenge with Mom! Quiz and riddle videos that 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds will love

It’s like a riddle and really fun! Here are some ideas for pun quizzes.

By using puns, you can create laughter while learning words—a unique idea.

For example, for the question “What card game is a tiger playing?” the answer would be “toranpu” (trump), a play on words in Japanese.

Try coming up with answers that work like puns.

Children will develop creativity by twisting words to produce funny answers.

It’s something you can enjoy with family and friends while experiencing the fun of wordplay, and it helps build vocabulary and a sense of humor too! Let’s think up questions together, from easy to a bit challenging, and find the answers while laughing.

Don Janken

After-school Children’s Classroom Physical Activity Program: “Don Janken”

Let’s try playing Don-Janken, a quick and exciting game you can enjoy anywhere! The rules are very simple: split into two teams and line up at opposite ends.

At the signal, the first person from each team runs forward, and when they meet, they play rock-paper-scissors.

If you win, you keep going; if you lose, the next teammate starts running.

You continue advancing by playing rock-paper-scissors, aiming to reach the opponent’s side.

It’s called Don-Janken because when you meet, you both stretch your hands forward, touch with a “don!” and stop.

Play carefully to avoid injuries.

Handkerchief-snatching game

🧡No.2 [Parent-Child Play / Improve Athletic Ability] “Handkerchief Grab Game” Boosts Reflexes‼️ So fun 😄

The classic indoor game you can play even on rainy days, the “Handkerchief Grab,” has lots of fun variations depending on the rules.

In this version, players sit on chairs facing each other with their knees touching, place a handkerchief in the middle, and grab it when the whistle blows.

It works well with a larger group, or you can do head-to-head matches and make it a tournament.

There’s also a high-level version where someone keeps chatting to distract players, then blows the whistle when their attention slips.

It’s a recommended game that everyone can enjoy while training reflexes and coordination!

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hiyori

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Bingo game

[Bingo Game] Parent-Child Play! For ages 4 to elementary school—there’s no way it won’t be a hit when all you do is write 9 vegetables! (Elementary school kids—time killers and games)

Here’s a bingo game that also helps you learn the names of vegetables.

Prepare paper and a felt-tip pen, and draw a 3×3 grid.

In each square, write the name of a vegetable or draw a picture of one.

You’ll draw vegetable cards one by one; when the same vegetable appears, draw a circle and mark it on your grid.

There’s also a Skull card mixed in: if you draw the Skull card, the vegetable you just drew gets a cross (is canceled).

After the Skull card mode ends, you return to normal mode.

Try it out and see who can get a reach or bingo first!

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mayumi

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Pyramid Rock-Paper-Scissors

Pyramid Rock-Paper-Scissors: Guaranteed to be a hit! A recreational activity

Guaranteed to be a blast—let’s play Pyramid Rock-Paper-Scissors! First, split into a defense team and an offense team.

Draw pyramid-shaped lines on the ground and place the defenders on the lines.

For example, if there are 15 defenders, put 5 people on the longest bottom line, then 4 on the next, and so on, ending with a single person at the top—that person is the King! The offense team starts by challenging anyone among the 5 at the bottom to rock-paper-scissors; if they win, they move up.

At the end, they play rock-paper-scissors with the King, and if they win, they clear the game.

If they lose at any point, they go back to the starting point.

Losing to the King also sends you back to start.

It’s a fun game where luck is put to the test!

Run Away from the Hula Hoop Game

[Group Play] Run Away from the Hula Hoop Game!

Great for group play! Here’s an idea for a “Run from the Hula Hoop” game.

All you need is a large hula hoop.

The rules are simple: children try not to get hit by a hula hoop that a parent or teacher rolls.

The key is to move while predicting the hoop’s speed and direction.

Once everyone gets used to the game, adding variations to how the hoop moves will keep kids engaged and prevent boredom.

Give it a try and include it in your activities!