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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Indoor play and game ideas, and group play ideas that 5-year-olds like (21–30)
Bingo Relay
Let me introduce a game called “Bingo Relay,” which gets kids using both their heads and bodies.
You’ll need bingo squares—prepare nine items you can use to mark off spaces, like mini hoops.
If you’re outside, you can draw circles on the ground instead.
Arrange them in a 3×3 grid.
Divide the children into two teams, and have only the first three players on each team hold their team markers.
At the signal, the first player from each team runs to the bingo grid and places their marker inside a ring.
When they’re done, they run back, tag the next player, and switch.
The team that first completes a line—vertical, horizontal, or diagonal—wins.
Starting from the third move onward, players should move one of their own team’s already placed pieces instead of adding a new one.
It’s a fun game that requires quick thinking!
Ball shower
@tomonite_official This looks so fun! ✨ Even on days when you can’t play outside, you can enjoy it at home 😍 Please check the instructions for the materials and products you use, and pay attention to the usage environment and weight limits. Also, when playing, do it together with an adult and keep safety in mind as you use this as a reference. We featured a post from Instagram by @ari_mama.kosodate ✨ Thank you for the wonderful post. ↓↓↓ ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ 【Kids Get Excited! A Shower of Balls】 ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ This is Tomonite @tomonite_official. Even on busy days, we want family time to be full of smiles! We share: 🏠 Time-saving housework and parenting hacks 💎 Useful items with great time and cost performance 👶 Relatable parenting moments and heartwarming videos ✨ A request ✨ Your likes and comments are a big encouragement! If you found this post helpful or enjoyed it, we’d be happy if you leave a comment with a 👶 emoji! Please use this idea as a reference while keeping safety in mind. All posts introduced by Tomonite are shared with permission from the original posters. Comments that may hurt others may be hidden by our team. We’d be delighted if everyone could enjoy lots of friendly interactions while keeping the conversation comfortable for all ✨#AtHomePlayBall play#ParentingHackwork
♬ Super Mario Bros. – Overworld – 8-Bit Arcade
Let’s make and play with a ball shower! Prepare some colored balls, a pool noodle, a laundry mesh bag, and pipe cleaners.
Cut the pool noodle in half lengthwise, form it into a ring, and attach the laundry bag to the inside using the pipe cleaners.
Thread the pipe cleaners through the holes of the net and fix it all the way around.
Cut the net where the balls will go in, and the goal is complete.
After you toss the balls in, open the zipper and the balls will pour out from inside like a shower.
Kids will love this ball shower—give it a try!
Indoor play and game ideas that 5-year-olds like, including group activities (31–40)
A game using clothespins
Let me introduce a game that uses everyday clothespins.
Get a cardboard tube from plastic wrap, a paper plate, and some clothespins, and give it a try.
Place the paper plate on top of the cardboard tube, then gently place clothespins on the plate one by one.
The key is to place them carefully so they don’t fall.
The player who drops a clothespin loses.
It also sounds fun to clip the clothespins onto the edge of the paper plate! Drawing on the cardboard tube or the paper plate might make the game even more exciting.
Give it a try!
Balloon Play
Balloons floating softly in the air are very safe, so kids can play with them with peace of mind.
Here are some indoor games using balloons.
The “keep it off the floor” game naturally encourages kids to cooperate, calling out to each other to keep the balloon from touching the floor and getting excited together.
In the balloon passing game, form groups of about six and split into teams.
Enjoy sending the balloon from front to back, or passing it under the knees.
The team that can pass the balloon the fastest wins.
You can also stick a strip of plastic tape across the middle of the room and enjoy balloon volleyball or soccer.
Please choose and enjoy games suited to the children’s ages.
Inside-Outside Game
@kyojifukushikai_staff Inside-Outside Game! Train your judgment and concentration!ExercisePlayChildcare#Nursery schoolNursery teacher / Childcare workerchild
♬ familie – Mrs. GREEN APPLE
Listen carefully to the instructions and get moving! Here are some ideas for Inside-Outside games.
The great thing is that people of all ages, from kids to adults, can enjoy them! It’s unique and fun to have children move around while following instructions.
Since you can play both indoors and outdoors, the weather won’t get in the way.
These games help develop reflexes, concentration, and teamwork while you play! The rules are simple and easy to understand, so take this opportunity to give them a try.
Ninja Game
@cocoro_ws♪ Original Song – [Official] Kokoro Social Welfare Association [Gymnastics 🤸] – [Gymnastics Class] Social Welfare Corporation Kokoro Welfare Association [🤸]
Recommended for preschool classes! Here are some ninja game ideas.
These playful activities let children become ninjas and enjoy moving their bodies.
The teacher calls out moves like “Head Shuriken,” “Ninja Chop,” and “Foot Shuriken,” and the children dodge them by jumping or evading.
It’s great for building stamina and reflexes while moving swiftly like ninjas.
Pretending to be ninjas also sparks imagination, which is another plus.
It looks like a fun way to nurture concentration and flexibility through play!
Red Light, Green Light
Let’s play by adding new rules! Here are some ideas for Daruma-san ga Koronda.
Daruma-san ga Koronda is a traditional Japanese game played with one child as “it” (the oni) and the other children as players.
The oni turns around while saying, “Daruma-san ga koronda.” The participants can move forward until the oni finishes saying “Daruma-san ga koronda,” but the moment the oni turns around, the participants must freeze.
By customizing this rule with elements like balance beams, hula hoops, or balls, you can keep the game fresh and fun.