[For Kids] Fun Indoor Game Ideas for After-School Day Services

Gorilla Game

[Class Activity] Guaranteed to Succeed, Laugh-Out-Loud! Gorilla Game

Let me introduce a game that will have your class roaring with laughter: the Gorilla Game.

Choose one child in the classroom, and have them answer every question from the questioner with the word “Gorilla.” For example, if the question is, “What did you eat for breakfast today?” the child answers, “Gorilla.” Of course, the questioner should react with a funny comeback to the “Gorilla” answer.

This back-and-forth will make the kids burst into laughter.

Make sure the final question sets up a punchline.

Also, the questioner’s reactions are key—add some facial expressions to make it even more exciting.

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Nakajima Junko

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Rhythm 4

[Introduction to the Game] Rhythm 4 Game [Basics]

This is a game that tests your ability to listen to instructions and make decisions by calling out your own name in time with a 4-beat rhythm.

You advance through the four counts using actions like tapping the desk or clapping, so the overlap of sound and movement adds to the fun.

You need to listen carefully to which person the previous player called and on which number, then decide and act accordingly.

By adding variations—such as changing the actions for each number or introducing instructions that aren’t just names and numbers—you can enjoy the game at a higher difficulty level, which is recommended for those who’ve gotten the hang of it.

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kappamaki

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Greeting game

[Japanese Activity] Greeting Game / [Aisatsu Game] Greetings, Bowing #1

Let’s greet according to the time of day! Here are some greeting game ideas.

These fun activities help you learn greetings suited to different times and cultures in a game-like way.

Walk around to music, and when the music stops, look at the illustration the teacher shows and say the appropriate greeting for that time of day—this helps develop decision-making skills! You can also incorporate greetings from other cultures, such as the United States and France, to learn greetings from around the world and expand your vocabulary.

Give it a try!

Air-reading game

An absolute crowd-pleasing vibe-reading game! Perfect for changing up your team’s atmosphere! [Play Warm-Up 25] #TsukoTraining #Icebreaker #WarmingUp #FunGames

Let’s read the room so we don’t overlap with our friends! Here’s an idea for a “reading the room” game.

It’s a unique game that helps elementary school students develop the ability to act while watching the timing and what’s happening around them.

In a group of 4–5 players sitting in a circle, you take turns standing up while calling out numbers.

The rule is simple, but what matters is avoiding overlapping timing with your friends.

Through the game, kids can build awareness of others and quick decision-making skills.

The atmosphere is tense at the start, but when two people stand up at the same time, everyone can’t help bursting into laughter!

Aiue ball

@soramame.sensei

This is Kotoba Classroom Soramame Kids! This time, we’re having fun with a Hiragana game! Just write hiragana on a ball and you can start right away! ▶️▶️ It’s easy to set up, so you can enjoy doing it together with your child! ✨ Be sure to give it a try! ❤️Speech and Language Classroom#SoramameKidsAfter-school day service#After-school day serviceChild Development Support#Child Development Support (Japan)Speech-Language-Hearing TherapistOccupational therapistNursery teacher / Childcare worker#KagoshimaRehabilitation# developmental support (ryōiku)Recreation#Indoor PlayAt-home play#IndoorPlayChildcareHiragana practiceHiragana MatchingEasy to prepare#HandmadeToys

♬ Mario like action game 2 – Jun Takahashi

Play with letters! Here’s an idea for “A-I-U-E Balls.” It’s a letter-play activity perfect for anyone planning a game with colored balls.

You’ll need a large basket, colored balls, masking tape, a permanent marker, and a smaller basket for collecting the balls.

First, write each of the 50 Japanese syllables on pieces of masking tape—one character per piece—and stick them onto the colored balls.

Once you put the balls into the large basket, you’re ready to go! Give the kids a prompt, then have them search the large basket to find the letters one by one.

It’s a thrilling, heart-pounding activity that’s lots of fun.

Tissue Catch

@soramame.sensei

Hello! This is Kotoba no Kyoushitsu Soramame Kids 🌟 The video we’re introducing today is “Tissue Catch”! It’s a very simple game where you catch a tissue falling from above using your hands or tools 😊 As you track the falling tissue with your eyes and catch it, eye–hand teamwork becomes very important 🎵 Let’s play a lot and help your eyes 👀 and hands 👋🏻 become best friends! ♡♡#SoramameKidsKotoba no Kyoushitsu Soramame Kids# developmental support (ryōiku)#KagoshimaRehabilitationChild Development SupportAfter-school day service#Indoor Play#TissueRecreation

♬ happy(1291154) – KIE

Have fun in pairs! Here are some ideas for a Tissue Catch game.

As the name suggests, it’s a game where you catch a tissue.

Catching a tissue as it gently floats downward is surprisingly tricky.

One person drops a tissue from a high position, and the other tries to catch it.

Once you get the hang of it, you can make it more challenging—and exciting—by using tools like tongs or chopsticks.

Give it a try!

Plastic bottle balancing game

@soramame.sensei

Hello! This is Kotoba no Kyōshitsu Soramame Kids! This time, it’s a balance game you can play with a plastic bottle♪ You don’t need a cap—use things you already have at home★ Give it a try! 😊#SoramameKidsChild Development SupportAfter-school day service#KagoshimaRehabilitation# developmental support (ryōiku)Easy to preparetranslation#StayHomeTime#HandmadeToys#Indoor PlayParent-child time

♬ Cute and fun marimba pops(1164847) – zomap

Here’s an idea for a plastic-bottle balance game that’s perfect for small-group icebreakers! On party days or recreation days, kids tend to be extra excited, right? This game is great to use at those times.

You’ll need a large plastic bottle, a utility knife, vinyl tape, and about 20 plastic bottle caps.

Cut off the top portion of the large bottle and wrap the cut edge with vinyl tape—that’s all the prep! Players take turns dropping bottle caps into the bottle; the person who knocks the bottle over loses.

It’s a simple game that also lets you see different aspects of the kids’ personalities, making it extra fun.

A game using paper and a ball

@soramame.sensei

This is Kotoba Classroom Soramame Kids! Today we’re introducing a super easy game you can play with just paper and a ball. ✨ The activity aims to: • Improve hand-eye coordination • Promote bilateral hand use Preparation is simple, so you can enjoy doing it together with your child! ✨Speech and Language Classroom#SoramameKidsAfter-school day service#After-school day serviceChild Development Support#Child Development Support (Japan)Speech-Language-Hearing TherapistOccupational therapistNursery teacher / Childcare worker#KagoshimaRehabilitation# developmental support (ryōiku)Recreation#Indoor PlayAt-home play#IndoorPlayChildcareEasy to prepare#CapCut

♬ Go and Be Miserable – Rururu

Finger control matters! Here’s a game idea using paper and balls.

It’s a seated game that uses paper and balls.

Prepare A4 sheets with large printed shapes or motifs, and some colored balls.

To start, it’s best to demonstrate with simple straight lines or squares.

The rule is simple: trace the shapes by controlling the colored ball with your fingertips, making sure not to go off the line.

Once you get the hang of it, try more challenging motifs like hearts, stars, and curves.

Ghost Blitz!

@club_bg

A brain-training game that will scramble your head!? Make split-second decisions and grab it fast!! [Ghost Blitz 2]translationtoyGhost Blitz#boardgames#toy

♪ Original Song – Board Game Club – Board Game Club

It’s a game where various pieces of different colors and types are placed on the table, and you decide whether to take one based on the card that’s revealed.

If there’s a piece matching the color shown on the card, you take it; if not, you say the corresponding correct word instead.

The key is how this corresponding word is determined—the more complex this becomes, the more there is to think about.

Since it’s a game where you have to judge and act faster than others, you get to enjoy quick reflexes and strategic interaction with the people around you.

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kappamaki

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It varies by region! Okinawa’s Finger-Number Game

@okinawa_channel

[Yubisuma] Do the calls/chants differ by region?OkinawaTranslationJun playerNostalgic

♪ Original Song – Okinawa Channel – Okinawa Channel

It seems that Yubi-suma is a game whose name changes depending on the region in Japan.

There are versions called “Yubi-suma,” “Issē no se,” and “Ichi nī no,” among others.

Incidentally, in Okinawa some places call it “Chībaru.” Of course, even within Okinawa there are areas that say “Issē no se.” How about trying Yubi-suma using a chant from a region other than your own? It might be fun to decide which chant to use by drawing lots.

By the way, it’s said that the reason it’s called Yubi-suma is that it spread nationwide after being featured on a SMAP TV program.

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Nakajima Junko

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