[For 5-Year-Olds] Recommended Indoor Play! A Collection of Exciting Games
On days when the weather or temperature keeps you from going outside, you end up spending more time indoors, right?
If you’re a teacher looking to incorporate activities that kids can enjoy indoors, this is a must-read.
Here are some recommended indoor play and game ideas for five-year-olds.
From activities that let them move their bodies to ones that make them think, and ones that deepen their interactions with friends—this is a roundup of perfect games for five-year-olds, a time when language skills, motor skills, and social skills grow rapidly!
No special preparation is needed—there are plenty of games you can enjoy right away.
If you add arrangements to suit the children, it will be even more exciting.
Be sure to try playing together!
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[For 5-year-olds] Recommended Indoor Play! A Collection of Exciting Games (21–30)
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!
Bomb Game
A simple “Bomb Game” you can play with a rubber ball.
The rules are like a preschool version of dodgeball: set up areas in advance using tape lines or mats, and have the children move from mat to mat while avoiding the ball.
First, explain, “The ball is a bomb, so you mustn’t get hit.” Start by tossing the ball gently with an easy arc, then raise the difficulty as they get used to it by changing the ball’s trajectory or throwing faster shots off the wall or floor.
The kids will love the thrill—guaranteed excitement!
[For 5-year-olds] Recommended Indoor Play! Exciting Game Collection (31–40)
Monster Hunter Game
This is a singing game called “Mōjū-gari Game” (Wild Animal Hunt Game) that you can play while singing.
You sing along, repeating after the leader to the song “Let’s go on a wild animal hunt.” Then the leader calls out the name of a wild animal—like tiger, lion, or giraffe.
Players must quickly form groups with the same number of people as the number of syllables in that animal’s name and crouch to be safe.
For example, for “raion” (lion), you make a group of four.
If you can’t form a group with the correct number, you get eaten by the wild animal.
Seven Steps
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.
Lick of ice cream
Aim for the goal while keeping your balance! Here’s an idea for “Ice Cream Lick.” It’s a fun relay perfect for a 5-year-old’s sports day, featuring a quirky, eye-catching ice cream with lots of impact.
Place a large ice cream made from colored plastic bags on a giant cone, and carry it to the finish while maintaining balance! Kids can enjoy it as a relay on their own, or you can adapt it into a parent-child event.
Work together and head for the goal!
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.
Storm Storm Big Storm Game
Let’s play using our heads and bodies! Here’s an idea for the Big Storm Game.
Depending on the age group, it’s helpful to prepare visual aids like sample diagrams or origami markers.
Assign one child as the squirrel and two children as the trees.
At the teacher’s cue, “A wolf is coming!” the squirrel moves to a different tree.
At the cue, “A lumberjack is coming!” the trees move to a different squirrel.
At the cue, “A big storm is coming!” everyone moves and pairs up with different friends.
To start, try playing while using the sample diagram or markers as guides!