Get the Fun Going! Easy Classroom Games You Can Play at School: Recreational Activities for the Whole Class
Here are some games and class recreation activities you can play in an elementary school classroom! There are many options, including simple games for small groups, activities the whole class can enjoy, and team competitions.
Some require equipment, but there are also plenty you can start right away.
“Shiritori” and a “Rock-Paper-Scissors Tournament” are easy to set up and really get everyone excited! Use these ideas as a reference and have fun with your friends during recess or at school events.
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Let's get hyped with psychological warfare, deduction, and Werewolf-style games (1–10)
Wink Killer
Many people look for games you can play when a decent number of people get together.
One highly recommended option is “Wink Killer.” In this game, players take on three roles similar to Werewolf: “Mastermind,” “Accomplice,” and “Citizen.” The Mastermind and Accomplice eliminate people they make eye contact with by winking, while the Citizens try to figure out who the Mastermind is.
Command Game
A command game where you only follow the instructions when the leader says “Command!” It’s known for simple rules that everyone can enjoy.
It works well with small groups, and it also sounds fun for an entire class to follow one leader’s instructions! Since you don’t need any special materials, it’s great as a quick recreational activity to fill spare time.
You can also divide the class into teams and see which team can follow without making mistakes.
Try this classroom game that everyone—regardless of gender—can enjoy.
Air-reading game
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!
Let's Get Fired Up with Mind Games, Deduction, and Werewolf-style Games (11–20)
Question game
Let’s try to infer the correct answer from the responses and figure it out! Here’s an idea for a question game.
Ask the questions you think are necessary to guess what’s inside the mystery box.
Then, based on the answers, try to say what’s in the box! Through this game, you’ll develop your speaking and listening skills.
The rules are simple, so it’s easy to try with friends or family—that’s part of the fun.
Give it a try!
Hachimaki bird
The two people stand back-to-back, about 50 centimeters apart, with their feet spread to shoulder width.
Place a single headband under both of their crotches so that either of them can reach straight down and grab it.
The two of them lightly hop in place, alternating both feet and landing on the same spot.
At the whistle signal, they pull for the headband, and whoever grabs it first wins.
Block Game
This is a “Block Game” played with blocks numbered 1 to 6.
First, turn all the blocks face down and mix them.
Each player then takes 7 blocks.
The remaining blocks are not used.
Decide who goes first with rock-paper-scissors, and the first player plays any one block.
From then on, you may play only one block at a time, and it must match the number at one of the ends.
If you have no playable block, you may pass as many times as you like.
The first player to play all their blocks wins.
The losing player’s remaining block numbers are added up and that total becomes the winner’s points.
The first player to reach 50 points wins!
A game about finding the correct moves
Act out the prompt’s movement and have others guess it.
For example, if the prompt is “forward roll,” the guesser should try various movements that come to mind.
The children around, who know the prompt, should react to each movement.
Decide in advance how to react when the movement is close to the prompt—for example, by cheering.
Using those reactions, the guesser narrows down the correct answer.
It’s also fun to have multiple guessers or to play team versus team.
You don’t need any materials, it’s a simple game, and it’s sure to get everyone excited.
