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.
- Recommended for upper elementary grades! Exciting indoor recreation and games
- Fun activities for junior high school students. Recreation games.
- Recreation Ideas That Truly Excite High School Students! A Fun Collection of Activities
- [Elementary School] Quick and Easy! Indoor Recreational Activities Perfect for Lower Grades
- [Play Right Away!] Exciting Recreation Games Recommended for Elementary School Students
- A simple and fun co-op game that enhances teamwork
- Games and activities everyone can enjoy together. A collection of fun play ideas.
- Games you can play with just conversation. Classic and popular activities you can enjoy without any props!
- Indoor games and recreational activities recommended for junior high school students
- Party games that get everyone excited at school
- Indoor recreation popularity ranking
- A collection of simple indoor recreational games
- [For University Students] A Roundup of Fun Games and Recreational Activities
Communication-Themed Class Rec Game Collection (1–10)
Word association game
A great activity I recommend for building closer friendships with classmates in the classroom is the word association game.
You pick a theme like objects or people’s names and try to convey them using different words so others can guess.
It’s versatile—you can play team competitions as a class or enjoy it in small groups of friends! Another plus is that you don’t need any materials, so there’s almost no prep time.
Choosing popular anime or products as themes also works well.
Why not try a game that doubles as a brain workout for the kids?
Who am I? game
You secretly decide on a theme without telling the guesser.
The guesser then asks people around them questions to get closer to figuring out what the theme is.
It’s a game that definitely requires strong communication skills, and imagining what the theme might be is one of its main attractions.
Enjoy that satisfying feeling as the answer becomes clearer with each question.
Pose Matching Game
This is the “Pose Matching Game,” where everyone strikes a pose to match a given prompt.
After saying the prompt, count down “3, 2, 1,” and immediately strike the first pose that comes to mind.
If everyone matches, you clear the round; if even one person doesn’t, you’re out.
For small groups, have participants take turns giving prompts.
For large groups, split into teams, set a time limit, and compete to see how many prompts you can clear.
The key to this game is not giving any time to think about the pose.
Those spontaneous, funny poses are guaranteed to make everyone burst into laughter!
Communication-based Class Recreation Game Collection (11–20)
Gesture Game
The classic party-pleaser: the gesture game.
In this game, a representative expresses a given prompt using only their body—no words allowed—while the participants try to guess what it is.
Split into teams and compete to see how many prompts you can clear within the time limit for extra excitement.
Choose prompts ranging from simple ones to funny, “How would you even act that out?” challenges.
Since some prompts can be tricky and stall progress, it’s a good idea to set rules in advance, like allowing up to two passes.
School-themed shiritori
Mono Shiritori is an upgraded version of the regular word game shiritori.
Play by using actual objects found at school or things you’re wearing.
For example, if you start with “kokuban-keshi” (blackboard eraser), the next could be “shitajiki” (writing board), and so on—look for real items and answer with those.
If possible, step out of your classroom and use items from other classrooms too; that way you can come up with more answers.
Play within what’s feasible.
It’s recommended to form several small teams and compete—it’s exciting, encourages cooperation, and if the answer happens to be something heavy, you can carry it together.
A game developed by NASA
Let’s try playing a game developed by NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
To briefly explain the game: it assumes a situation where a spaceship has malfunctioned, and you rank 15 items you have on hand.
You assign ranks in order of necessity, and decide them through group discussion.
First, each person should make their own ranking based on their interpretation, and then discuss and reconcile the differences with the group.
Can you determine the correct order—and survive?
Illustration Telephone Game
An illustration-based telephone game everyone can enjoy in the classroom! As you pass along prompts by drawing, a thrilling chain of surprises awaits.
Without using words—only pictures—it’s a strangely delightful experience.
Everyone’s imagination and humor collide, and the unexpected outcomes are sure to bring roaring laughter.
With simple rules, it’s easy to start right away.
Nailing the answer feels rewarding, and even mistakes spark laughter, instantly boosting the class atmosphere.
It’s the perfect game for break time or events when you want everyone to have fun together!