[Age 5] Exciting and fun! A special feature on ideas for at-home play
By the age of five, more children can enjoy games with rules and have fun competing in games with friends and adults.
In this article, we’ll introduce at-home activities that are perfect for five-year-olds.
We’ve gathered a variety of ideas—from games with easy-to-understand rules, to activities that get kids moving indoors, to crafts that are fun to make—so feel free to use them as a reference and give them a try.
Not only for times when you can’t play outside, but also for those moments when you just feel like staying in, we hope you’ll enjoy these with your family and siblings.
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- Ideas for indoor activities, games, and group play that 5-year-olds enjoy
- [Childcare] Playful craft ideas to enjoy with 5-year-olds
- [For 5-Year-Olds] Recommended Indoor Play! A Collection of Exciting Games
- Ideas for indoor activities and group games that 5-year-olds like
- For 4-year-olds! A collection of indoor home play ideas that make time inside fun
- For 3-Year-Olds! Indoor & Outdoor Physical Play and Game Ideas
- [For 4-Year-Olds] A Collection of Indoor Play and Game Ideas That Get Everyone Excited
- For 5-Year-Olds: Let’s Make It! A Collection of Craft Ideas to Feel the Spring
- [For 4-year-olds] Ideas for group games and craft activities that can be done indoors
- Recommended for 3-year-olds! Fun indoor activities and group game ideas
- [Kindergarten] Let’s Play with Quizzes! A Collection of Recommended Quizzes for Older Kindergarteners
- Indoor activities that 2-year-olds can enjoy. Recommended at-home games that will keep them engaged.
[Age 5] Exciting and Fun! A Collection of At-Home Play Ideas (41–50)
Bomb Game
This is a simple “Bomb Game” you can play with a rubber ball.
The rules are like dodgeball: use tape lines or mats to divide the area in advance, and players move from mat to mat while avoiding getting hit by the ball.
First, explain that “the ball is a bomb, so you mustn’t get hit.” Start by tossing the ball gently, and as everyone gets used to it, increase the difficulty by changing the trajectory or throwing faster using the wall or floor.
The kids will love the thrill, and it’s sure to be a hit!
[Age 5] Exciting and Fun! A Collection of At-Home Play Ideas (51–60)
What’s in the box? quiz
This game involves putting your hand into a box where you can’t see the contents and guessing what’s inside using only your sense of touch.
It’s often featured on TV shows, so some children may have seen it before.
Any box that can fit a hand and an object—like a cardboard box—will work.
Cut a hole where the hand goes in, and leave one side open so the contents can be seen from the front.
Then just place the item inside and you’re ready to go.
Choose objects your child is familiar with to make it easier to guess.
It helps develop the ability to think, “What could it be?” and the imagination to wonder, “Maybe it’s this?” Give it a try!
Picture shiritori
Here’s a drawing game that gets everyone excited: Picture Shiritori.
You can enjoy Picture Shiritori with two or more players.
First, decide on a theme for the drawings.
The first player draws a picture that fits the theme.
The next player looks at the previous drawing and draws something that starts with the last letter of the previous word.
Continue in turn.
It gets even more fun if you set final rules in advance—like what happens if the word ends with “n” or if someone can’t think of something to draw.
Give it a try and have fun!
Color Search Game
Let’s look for what colors are hiding around the room! Here are some ideas for a color-finding game.
This activity is appealing thanks to its simple and easy-to-understand rules.
Just color some paper with markers, put the pieces into a paper cup, and you’re ready to play! It feels exciting, like drawing lots.
As you play, it helps improve color recognition, making it a fun and educational activity.
Once you get used to the game, try drawing two pieces of paper and combining the two colors—that sounds fun too.
Give it a try!
Rock-paper-scissors is fun even in the rain
Here are some rock-paper-scissors games you can enjoy indoors with kids, even on rainy days.
“American Rock-Paper-Scissors” flips the usual win/lose rules and makes you think.
“Body Rock-Paper-Scissors” is played by expressing rock, paper, and scissors with your whole body; it’s best to agree on what gestures mean rock, paper, and scissors before you start.
In “Newspaper Rock-Paper-Scissors,” you stand on a sheet of newspaper while you play; each time you lose, you fold your newspaper once to make it smaller.
“Rock-Paper-Scissors Train” is a game where the loser lines up behind the winner, and the train of players grows longer and longer.
Find your favorite rock-paper-scissors game and 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.
Bubble play in the bath
A bubble bath that fills the tub with fluffy foam.
It’s a fun at-home activity that turns an everyday bath into a special event.
Add bubble-bath solution to the tub with warm water, and once it starts to foam nicely, hop in.
To keep bubbles out of your eyes, wearing goggles is also recommended.
You’ll get to experience a different kind of bath and enjoy various games using the foam.
Try adding some bubbly fun to bath time with family and friends!
