Ideas for indoor activities, games, and group play that 5-year-olds enjoy
At age five, children deepen their friendships through play—cooperating with peers and becoming aware of others’ feelings—while developing social skills and teamwork.
In this article, we’re sharing indoor play ideas that are perfect for the developmental needs of five-year-olds.
We’ve gathered a wide range of activities: energetic games that get kids moving, activities that nurture thoughtful problem-solving, and simple DIY toy-making ideas that are easy to create and fun to play with.
We’re focusing on activities that encourage communication with friends during play, so use these ideas as a reference and enjoy meaningful time with the children.
- Ideas for indoor activities and group games that 5-year-olds like
- [For 5-Year-Olds] Recommended Indoor Play! A Collection of Exciting Games
- [For 4-Year-Olds] A Collection of Indoor Play and Game Ideas That Get Everyone Excited
- [Childcare] Full of energy! Indoor activity ideas to get kids moving
- For 4-year-olds! Introducing recommended indoor activities, group games, and crafts
- [Age 5] Exciting and fun! A special feature on ideas for at-home play
- Recommended for 3-year-olds! Fun indoor activities and group game ideas
- [Riddles] Have Fun with Kindergarten Seniors! A Collection of Riddles
- No prep needed! Indoor activities for 3-year-olds, including movement play and group games.
- Indoor recreation for children: A roundup of exciting games
- Recommended for 5-year-olds! Simple DIY toy ideas
- [Childcare] Playful craft ideas to enjoy with 5-year-olds
- [For 4-year-olds] Ideas for group games and craft activities that can be done indoors
Indoor play and game ideas, and group play ideas that 5-year-olds like (71–80)
Ball tag
Let me introduce a tag game using a soft ball, called “Ball Oni.” Once the tagger (oni) is chosen, the tagger chases the others while holding the ball.
The tagger throws the ball at the players who are running away.
The player who gets hit by the ball becomes the next tagger and they switch roles.
Running and throwing the ball provide full-body exercise.
When playing Ball Oni, be sure to use a soft ball and explain safety rules beforehand, such as not aiming at the head or face.
If you’re in a large area, it might also be good to set boundaries for where players can run.
Shape Finding Game
Let’s develop discovery skills, imagination, and expressive ability! Here’s an idea for a shape-finding game.
It’s a simple yet effective game where you look for shapes in everyday life.
Start with basic shapes like circles, triangles, and squares, and once you get used to it, raise the difficulty with stars, diamonds, pentagons, and more.
This will broaden interest and make the game more fun.
Plus, drawing the shapes you find on paper helps cultivate expressive skills and creativity, which is a great bonus.
It’s a playful way to deepen shape recognition and boost the power of discovery!
Rock-Paper-Scissors Balance Game
Here’s a rock-paper-scissors balance game that gets your whole body moving.
Play rock-paper-scissors with your friends.
If you win, do a one-legged balance for 5 seconds.
If it’s a tie, spin around twice and then do a one-legged balance for 5 seconds.
If you lose, spin around three times and then do a one-legged balance for 5 seconds.
For children who find one-legged balancing difficult, it’s recommended to hold onto something while balancing.
When playing the rock-paper-scissors balance game, secure a spacious area and keep a safe distance from one another to ensure safety.
Handkerchief-snatching game
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!
Stacking paper cups
Let me introduce a fun stacking game with paper cups.
Stack 15 paper cups into a pyramid shape, starting from the bottom.
Time each round and compete to see who can finish their pyramid the fastest.
Because you have to think about the best way to stack the cups as you go, it trains both concentration and problem-solving skills at the same time.
Plastic cups are smooth and glossy, so for children, paper cups are recommended.
Give it a try!
Picture shiritori
Let me introduce a drawing shiritori game that gets everyone excited while you draw.
The drawing shiritori game can be enjoyed by two or more people.
First, decide on a theme for the first drawing in turn.
The first person draws a picture on paper based on the theme.
The next person looks at the previous person’s drawing and draws a picture that starts with the last letter of the previous drawing’s word.
Take turns and keep going.
It gets even more fun if you set final rules in advance, such as what happens if a word ends with “n” (which would normally end the game) or if someone can’t draw on their turn.
Have fun and give it a try!
Color Touch Game
Move your body while training your memory! Here’s a color touch game idea.
All you need are hula hoops and color markers.
It’s a simple and fun game that kids as young as three can enjoy! Using the hula hoops and color markers, the rule is to touch the color specified by the teacher and then return to your base.
It’s great because kids can move their bodies while memorizing colors.
Start with one color, and as they get used to it, increase to two or three colors to naturally boost memory and reaction speed.
Give it a try!