[For Adults] Fun Hand-Clapping Games: A Curated Selection of Ideas Great for Brain Training Too!
Hand games you can play using only your hands, without any props.
In preschools and kindergartens, you often see children happily enjoying hand games while singing.
In this article, we’ve gathered ideas for hand games that even adults can get excited about.
We’ll introduce a wide range: from ones you can enjoy like party games at banquets or gatherings with friends, to activities that help with cognitive training for seniors.
Hand games may look simple, but they can be surprisingly tricky and not so straightforward! Let’s give them a try right away.
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[For Adults] Fun Hand Games | Carefully Selected Brain-Training Ideas (21–30)
Cross clap
Let me introduce a lively hand game with big movements called “Cross Clap.” The nice thing is that you can play it easily without any props.
First, choose one person who will cross their arms.
The rule is simple: the children watching should clap at the exact moment when both hands overlap.
It can be fun to suddenly freeze or speed up the movement after a sequence of rhythmic claps.
The key is to make them let their guard down by making them think it’s the same movement.
Clapping to a 3-3-7 rhythm is also recommended.
Clap-Clap Game
Let’s try a clap-along game that also works as brain training, filling the room with the sound of rhythmic clapping.
The rules are very simple: when the facilitator’s hands come together, participants clap both hands once.
The facilitator can also add fake-out motions, pretending to clap without actually doing it, to make the game more exciting.
Once everyone gets used to it, increase the speed of the claps and keep a steady tempo—this will create a sense of unity among the participants.
Have fun and give it a try!
Hand play song ‘The Hare and the Tortoise’
Let me introduce a hand game, done to the children’s song “Moshimo Shika Meyo,” that is also effective for preventing cognitive decline in older adults.
With this one, you tightly clench both hands to the rhythm of the song, but you alternate putting your thumbs outside and then inside, which really makes your brain work.
You can also adjust the difficulty depending on how you play—for example, right hand inward while the left hand outward, or clenching with a time delay.
It will probably feel hard at first, so do it slowly while singing.
As you get used to it, gradually increase the speed.
Zuizui Zukkorobashi
Haven’t you all played the children’s song game “Zui Zui Zukkorobashi” at least once? First, choose one person to be “it,” and the other participants make a tea jar shape with their hands and hold it out in front of them.
The person who’s “it” sings “Zui Zui Zukkorobashi,” tapping along to the rhythm and inserting their index finger in turn into each participant’s hands.
When the song reaches the final syllable “re,” the person whose tea jar contains the “it” person’s finger loses and becomes the next “it.” For adults, this is probably a nostalgic game—why not try playing it again for the first time in a while?
The Falling-Falling Game
“The ‘Ochita Ochita’ game is a play activity where various things fall in time with a song, and you make gestures that match whatever is falling.
For example, if it’s an apple you pretend to catch it; if it’s lightning you hide your belly button; if it’s a fist you cover your head.
To make it suitable for adults, you could swap in slightly trickier words.
For instance, a chestnut is food so you might want to catch it, but because of the spines you should drop it—things like that.
Try creating adult-oriented prompts and correct gestures to play.”
Hand-play song ‘Denderaryuba’
Let me introduce Den-Dera Ryūba, a traditional children’s song from Nagasaki of unknown authorship.
It’s a hand-play song, so you change your hand shapes in time with the music.
First, open your left hand, then use your right hand to make a fist, scissors, a shape with the thumb and pinky raised, and so on, switching shapes to the rhythm.
There’s a set order for the hand shapes, so be careful not to mix them up.
Once you memorize the sequence, anyone can join in—but it’s trickier than it looks! I encourage adults to give it a try, too!
Chopstick Game
In simple terms, the disposable chopsticks game is about tapping your opponent’s hand with your fingers and trying to make it reach the shape of 5 to knock it out.
First, decide who goes first and second, then both players hold out their hands in the shape of 1.
Starting with the first player, you tap the opponent’s hand to increase its count.
If a hand with 1 is tapped, the person changes that hand to 2.
If a hand with 2 is tapped by a hand with 1, change it to 3, and so on.
You battle by adding the finger counts like this.
The first player whose both hands reach 5 loses.
However, there’s an interesting rule: even if one hand is knocked out, as long as the other hand is still alive, you can split its number between both hands and keep playing.
For example, if the living hand is at 3, you can split it into 1 and 2 across both hands.
It turns into quite a battle of wits, so it’s a game I recommend for adults as well.
Post-decision rock-paper-scissors according to instructions
This activity requires quick decision-making, and in response to instructions, playing “after-the-fact rock-paper-scissors” also hinges on your ability to concentrate.
The method is simple: participants march in place and play rock-paper-scissors with the instructor.
During the game, the instructor gives commands like “Lose” or “Win,” so participants must think on their feet and choose their hand accordingly.
Keeping a lively tempo makes it even more exciting.
If your response ends up opposite to the instructor’s instruction, you lose on the spot.
Give it a try!
3 fingerplay activities that engage first graders
The first is the classic “after-the-fact Rock-Paper-Scissors.” The leader says “Rock, paper, scissors, shoot!” and throws rock, scissors, or paper.
Participants watch and then play after the leader, aiming to win.
The second is a game called “Pachi-Pachi.” You clap only when the leader’s hands overlap.
Adding feints makes it more exciting.
The third is a game called “How Many Fingers?” The leader quickly shows a number with their fingers, then hides their hands behind their back.
Participants answer the number the leader showed.
The more people there are, the harder it gets! Finger Catch
The “Finger Catch Game,” which trains your reflexes and lets everyone have fun, is played with everyone standing in a circle.
Put the index finger of your right hand into the open palm of the person to your right, just lightly touching it.
In turn, participants chant, “Ka, ka, ka, catch,” and at the moment someone says “catch,” everyone tries to pull out the finger they had inserted.
At the same time, you must quickly grab the finger that’s been inserted into your own open hand before it escapes.
If you fail to pull your finger out or fail to catch your neighbor’s finger, you’re out.
The last person remaining wins.
The exact timing of saying “catch” is key.
It’s a game that tests concentration, timing, and careful observation of others.