Ideas for indoor activities and group games that 5-year-olds like
For teachers looking for play ideas on days when the weather or temperature keeps you indoors and you’re wondering, “What should I play with the children today?”, this is a must-read.
This time, we’re sharing plenty of indoor play ideas recommended for 5-year-olds.
From group activities that let children move their bodies to the fullest while enjoying interactions with friends, to games that encourage deep focus and thinking, to make-and-play toy crafts suited to the fine-motor skills of 5-year-olds—there’s a wide variety of indoor activities that deliver a sense of satisfaction!
Add your own twists to match the children’s moods and needs, and it will be even more exciting.
Use these ideas as inspiration and have fun together!
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Ideas for Indoor Activities and Group Games Loved by 5-Year-Olds (81–90)
Intro Quiz
Let’s guess songs like children’s tunes and anime theme songs! Here are some ideas for an intro quiz.
It’s a wonderful way to play with music using your memory.
By listening to the opening melody and guessing the song’s name, children can develop a deeper interest in music.
It’s great that you can play individually or in teams; competing with friends or classmates lets you enjoy the fun of cooperating, feel the thrill of wins and losses, and get excited together.
You can also adjust the difficulty to match the season or trends, making it a quiz everyone can enjoy!
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.
UFO Tag
@kidschallengeclub♬ UFO – Pink Lady
Spin around and protect the captain! Here’s an idea for a UFO tag game.
It’s a unique game that really tests teamwork! Form teams of three, hold hands, and dodge the tagger so your captain doesn’t get caught.
Choose a captain among the three and have them wear a bib number so the tagger can easily tell who it is—highly recommended.
The key is to hold hands firmly so no one lets go!
Party-gathering game
https://www.tiktok.com/@homeltd/video/7367298557474311441No talking to friends allowed! Here’s an idea for a game where you gather teammates.
It’s a fun activity using cards with animal pictures on them.
However, you’re not allowed to talk to your friends during the game! Rely only on the animal sounds depicted on the cards handed out by the teacher or guardian to find others with matching cards.
The tricky part is calling out to your teammates while carefully distinguishing their calls.
Once everyone gets used to the rules, adding a time limit could make it even more exciting!
Newspaper Game
@soramame.sensei #SoramameKids#SoramameKids#Therapy Time# developmental support (ryōiku)#HandmadeToys#Indoor Play#KagoshimaRehabilitation#StayHomeTimeLet's play at home#IndoorPlayCorenewspaper (newsprint)Newspaper#Nursery school child
♬ March-style BGM ideal for athletic meet march – harryfaoki
You only need two things to prepare! Here’s an idea for a newspaper sheet game.
It’s also a great option when you have to switch activities indoors due to sudden bad weather.
With just newspaper and tape, you can start playing right away! Set up a long chain of connected newspaper sheets under a chair.
While sitting on the chair, move both feet left and right to store the newspaper under the chair.
The key is to use the entire sole of your feet, which also makes it perfect for strengthening your core.
Anything Basket
Listen carefully, think carefully, and move! Here’s an idea for a “Anything Basket” game.
Are you familiar with Fruit Basket? In this game, participants are assigned the names of fruits like apple, banana, and orange.
The facilitator calls out, “○○ fruit!” and the children who have that fruit name quickly move to the seats designated for that fruit.
As a variation of Fruit Basket, let’s try “Anything Basket.” It’s a great way to develop good listening skills!
Indoor play and group game ideas that 5-year-olds love (91–100)
chimney game
Let’s work hard so we don’t lose to the chimney sweeper! Here’s an idea for a chimney-themed game.
It’s a unique game that uses balls and a mat.
If your center doesn’t have a mat, you can use connected cardboard pieces instead.
Inside the chimney, a teacher transformed into a chimney sweeper will go in.
The children will try to put balls into the chimney so they won’t lose to the sweeper.
They’ll develop their ability to strategize and be inventive by making plans and watching for the teacher’s openings.
Give it a try!