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.
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Ideas for indoor activities and games, and group play that 5-year-olds enjoy (91–100)
Pun Quiz

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.
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!
centipede ogre
@yokohama_rs #Centipede Demon (Mukade Oni)RecreationChildren's Play#SportsChildcareNursery teacher / Childcare workerTechnical collegeYokohama#RizospoLet's give it a try!Agility Training
♬ Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom!! – Vengaboys
Move nimbly and avoid danger! Here’s an idea for a game called Centipede Tag.
You probably know there are many types of tag, like Freeze Tag and Color Tag.
Have you heard of Centipede Tag, where you work together with teammates to escape the tagger? Assign one person as the tagger, and everyone else is on the centipede team.
The centipede players place their hands on the shoulders of the person in front and stay connected without letting go.
When the last person in the centipede gets tagged, the tagger switches.
It’s tough to escape from a freely moving tagger, but by cooperating, the centipede team will build strong bonds.
Alien Repatriation Game
https://www.tiktok.com/@asobiinlife/video/7304249524820708609Let’s work together with friends to help the aliens! Here’s an idea for an Alien Return game.
You’ll need balloons, markers, and something to mark the start and finish lines.
In this simple game, you carry balloon “aliens” to the goal—but cooperating with friends is absolutely required.
That’s because you play in teams of four, holding hands, and the rule is that you can’t let go! Coordinate your moves using your linked hands, heads, shoulders, or hips, and call out to sync your timing.
Work together and save the aliens!
Pull hoop play
https://www.tiktok.com/@soramame.sensei/video/7230741022383312146Compassion is the key to winning! Here’s a fun idea for a Pull-the-Hoop game.
Prepare a hula hoop or a ring made from newspaper, some plastic ribbon (suzuran tape), and start and goal lines.
The person moving inside the hoop should walk in step with the moving hula hoop.
Be careful to keep your feet inside the hoop and maintain your balance! The person pulling the hoop should control the speed and the amount of force to guide their teammate to the goal.
Give it a try!
Ring Relay
https://www.tiktok.com/@kidschallengeclub/video/7402061345539083538Here are two ideas for ring relay games.
What you need to prepare are markers for the start and finish lines.
In the first game, each person crawls under the feet of the person in front, then quickly stands up and spreads their legs to form a tunnel, connecting all the way to the finish.
In the second game, players form pairs to make a ring, and the next person in line crawls through as they all move toward the finish.
The key point is that neither game can be completed by a single person.
It’s also fun to compete by team!
Churippu sharippu

Hold hands with your friends and play while calling each other’s names! Let me share the idea for “Churippu Sharippu.” There’s nothing to prepare, so just hum the song together and play.
There are moments in the song where you call out names, which makes it great for learning your friends’ names.
It’s especially recommended for classes with new or transferring children! You can adapt the way you play, so it’s an idea that children from infants to preschoolers can enjoy.
Be sure to try it in your activities.


