[For Kids] Have Fun at After-School Day Service! A Special Feature on Indoor Game Ideas

Without Katakana

Simple and fun! A class-energizing activity: “Katakana-less”

We use katakana for many names in daily life.

Katakana is familiar, but let’s try playing without using it.

First, show items that have katakana names and have people describe them without using katakana.

For example, for “pen,” someone might answer, “something you write with that isn’t a pencil.” It’s a game where you shift your thinking a bit, describe the given topic without using katakana, and have others guess.

If the topic is “game,” you could describe it as “something where you use your fingertips to control characters on the screen.” From there, everyone tries to guess the topic together.

Explaining with your current vocabulary makes for a good brain exercise.

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Nakajima Junko

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King Janken

[Indoor Play] King Janken (Rock-Paper-Scissors)

A King Rock-Paper-Scissors game everyone can get excited about.

The rules are simple: everyone plays rock-paper-scissors, and the child who keeps winning until the end becomes the first King.

If a participant loses to the King, they go to the back of the line.

If they beat the King, they switch places and become the new King.

The child who remains King at the end of the time limit is the winner.

The thrill of competition and cheering will further boost the atmosphere.

It’s also recommended to prepare a crown for the King to wear.

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mayumi

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Drawing Telephone Game

Is a correct answer impossible? The drawing telephone game! himawari-CH

Let’s have fun with a game where you guess the picture drawn on your back.

Stick a sheet of paper on each person’s back, and start by drawing a picture on the first person’s paper.

Then, one by one, draw on the next person’s back the picture you felt drawn on yours and pass it along.

Since you can only rely on the sensation on your back to figure out what’s being drawn, the image may gradually turn into something else—that’s the fun part! It might help avoid confusion if you pass along a single picture in a few strokes, one stroke at a time.

In the end, the last person should use the picture they drew as a hint to guess the original prompt.

So, what kind of picture did you end up with?

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Nakajima Junko

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Drop the Handkerchief

Handkerchief Drop (Tag) – Indoor Exercise Play Recreation [Arranged Version]

Speaking of Drop the Handkerchief, it’s a classic indoor game that’s been around forever, and it’s still loved because it’s thrilling and fun.

First, choose the tagger.

The tagger walks around the outside of the circle and secretly drops a handkerchief behind someone.

After dropping it, the tagger runs and completes a lap to sit in the spot of the person they dropped it behind.

If the person who had the handkerchief dropped behind them catches the tagger before they finish the lap, the tagger remains the tagger for another round.

If the person doesn’t notice even after the tagger completes the lap, they go to the center of the circle and can’t join the next game.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Fun for elementary school kids! 5 indoor activities

[Indoor Games] Recommended for Elementary School Kids! 5 Lively Indoor Activities

Indoor recreational activities that you can enjoy for short periods of time—such as on rainy days—are perfect for exercising both the mind and body, since the rules and movements vary by game.

Plus, enjoying each game by working together as a team helps energize communication among participants.

Competing with friends and enjoying games also leads to discussing strategies and experiencing the emotions of winning and losing.

Experiencing fun, joy, and even frustration through physical activity is recommended for fostering a positive mindset.

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mayumi

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straw airplane

"Straw Airplane" Flies Like Crazy Outdoors! — From a Magazine by Play Experts in After‑School Care

Popular in after-school care, the “straw airplane” is a fun craft that’s easy to make with a straw and construction paper—and it flies really well.

First, cut off the bendy part of the straw with scissors so it’s straight.

Next, cut two long, narrow strips from the construction paper, roll each into a ring, and tape them to the front and back of the straw.

Using a smaller ring in front and a larger ring in back makes it stable and helps it fly surprisingly far.

Kids are amazed at how it flies differently from a regular paper airplane! You can compete to see whose airplane flies the farthest, try different throwing techniques, and enjoy playing over and over.

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kojifumi

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Magical Banana

Magical Banana 🍌

A Magical Banana game where clapping and rhythm are key.

The first person says, “When you say banana, I think of ___,” filling in a word by association.

The next person keeps the rhythm and continues saying what the word makes them think of.

Keep the rhythm going by saying the phrase “When you say ___” each time.

Once everyone gets used to the game, speed it up by increasing the clapping and rhythm tempo.

The main point is to say your associations in time with the rhythm; if you can’t say one in time, restart on the spot and try again.

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mayumi

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