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Indoor games and recreational activities recommended for college students

University students are always surrounded by new connections, like in seminars and clubs.

Many of you may be looking for games that everyone can play together to build rapport with new members.

In this article, we’ll introduce recommended indoor activities and recreation games that college students can enjoy.

There are also games you can play online, so they’re perfect for remote classes too! There are plenty of games you can use when you’ve got a bit of free time with friends, so be sure to check them out!

Indoor Fun and Recreation Games Recommended for College Students (51–60)

Dance Gesture Game

SixTONES – We tried the Dance Game 'Dance Gesture Game'!
Dance Gesture Game

This is a more stylish take on a gesture game where you communicate using only body movements.

As the prompt is announced, music starts playing; you perform an improvised dance to the music, consciously making sure it works as a dance while also incorporating movements that express the prompt in your own way.

Others should not only guess the prompt but also judge whether the dance stands on its own.

If you’re good at dancing, leverage your creativity to aim for more stylish gestures; if you’re not, the fun comes from everyone enjoying your earnest effort.

Choose tracks to match each person’s dance ability; for those who are confident, it’s also recommended to play songs with more challenging choreography.

Buzzer-beater showdown

Fastest-finger showdown (indoor recreation)
Buzzer-beater showdown

Compete using counters! Here are some ideas for a fast-tap showdown.

It’s a simple, easy-to-understand game, making it a unique idea you can try casually in your spare time.

All you need is a handheld tally counter.

See who can reach the highest number within the time limit.

Each participant’s tapping style shows their personality, which should be entertaining for the audience as well.

Adding perks for the winner or a penalty game for the last-place finisher could make it even more exciting!

Trump

Playing cards are a classic indoor recreational game.

Popular ones include Old Maid, Sevens, and President (Daifugō).

With just a deck of cards, you can enjoy many different kinds of play, making it a very versatile pastime.

Even people meeting for the first time can break the ice through card games.

Use games as a way to get to know each other better.

Word Wolf

Word Wolf: a werewolf-style word game where you can’t even trust yourself
Word Wolf

Named for its similarity to the Werewolf game, “Word Wolf” is a game where two similar words are split into a majority and a minority, and players discuss their respective words to find the minority.

For example, if the majority word is “sea” and the minority word is “river,” players will talk about those, but if you say too much, you might reveal which side you’re on.

It’s a simple yet brainy game that involves deftly dodging and deducing.

It’s also easy to play online.

Flag-raising game

I thought the flag-raising game would be lame, but it turned out to be really fun lol
Flag-raising game

The flag-raising game has long been a staple on TV and elsewhere, but not many people have actually played it, have they? It’s actually quite fun, so it’s highly recommended as an indoor recreation activity.

The basic setup uses red and white flags, but if preparing those is a hassle, you can easily substitute towels or handkerchiefs and still enjoy it.

Try adding feints and have fun with it.

Stand-up game

[Banquet/Party Game] Guess How Many Stand Up! Stand-Up Game
Stand-up game

A stand-up game you can play on the spot without any props, just by standing or sitting.

Players take turns calling out a number that’s smaller than the number of people present.

At the same time, everyone decides for themselves whether to stand or stay seated.

If the number called matches the number of people who stood up, it’s a success.

It’s a casual game you can play anywhere with any number of people, perfect for when you’ve got a little time to kill.

You could also add a twist where the last person remaining gets a penalty!

Tasting

Intuitive Tasting [Banquet Game, Party Game, Year-End Party! After-Party!]
Tasting

“Tasting” is a game where you wear a blindfold, hold your nose, and try to guess the food being put into your mouth.

You’ve probably seen it on TV quite often.

Because your nose is blocked, your sense of taste doesn’t work very well, making it surprisingly difficult.

If you’re going to use unusual or bizarre foods that people don’t normally eat, please make sure everyone agrees beforehand!

Musical chairs with blindfolds

Many people played musical chairs in elementary or middle school, right? In this version, the rule is that you play musical chairs while blindfolded.

It’s fascinating how adding just that one twist changes the gameplay so much.

Since you can’t tell where the chairs are, you might drift farther and farther from the spot—so enjoy the mishaps as part of the fun and give it a try!

linked ring traversal

[Banquet/Party Game] Connected Ring Pass-Through
linked ring traversal

“Linked Ring Pass” is a game where all participants stand in a line holding hands and pass a ring all the way through without letting go.

It’s fun with around ten people.

If getting a hula hoop is difficult, try making a ring out of paper ribbon or something similar.

Since everyone holds hands, you might get a little closer to the person next to you!

karaoke

[Karaoke Battle Official] Haruki Kubo: Spitz “Cherry” / 2023.06.25 On Air (Full-length video including unaired TV portions)
karaoke

For college students, the go-to recommendation is definitely karaoke.

You can get a glimpse of someone’s personality by the songs they choose.

It’s also a great way to learn about the other person’s tastes, so karaoke really kills multiple birds with one stone.

Plus, the lively atmosphere helps keep things fun, making it easier even for shy people.

Another bonus is that karaoke places usually have plenty of food and drink options.