No props needed: games everyone can play—fun activities using only voices and gestures
Have you ever wanted to play something with friends or family but had trouble because you didn’t have any props? In fact, there are plenty of games you can enjoy with multiple people without any equipment.
Games like “Takenoko Nyokki” and the “Human Knot” can get everyone excited right away just by using your voices and moving your bodies! In this article, we’ll introduce easy, no-equipment group games you can enjoy anywhere.
Try them during short breaks or at gatherings with friends and family!
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No props needed: Group games everyone can play. Fun activities using just voice and gestures (11–20)
Gesture Game

It’s a game that people of all ages can enjoy.
Communicating something without speaking is pretty tough, isn’t it? I think the guessers will have to use their brains quite a bit, too.
You can probably get a sense of the gesturer’s personality as well, so it seems perfect for everything from mixers to kindergarten activities.
Reverse word game

One person acts as the quizmaster, and everyone else tries to guess words that are read backward.
It’s easy with around three letters, but just listening makes this game surprisingly tricky.
People vary in how good they are at it, so it’s a game where you can easily determine winners even with a large group.
No prep needed, and it’s easy to play!
Atama-Oshiri Game

The fresh, TV-famous rhythm game “Atama-Oshiri Game”! In time with the music, you answer by connecting the first and last letters of the word presented.
You have 10 seconds, and the key to winning is whether you can come up with longer words or more letters.
It tests both speed and creativity, so everyone can have fun cranking their brains together.
On the show, Banana Man and Sandwich Man take on the challenge, with unexpected answers being a highlight.
Enjoy laughs and edge-of-your-seat moments.
It’s a recommended game that gets families and friends pumped up while training rhythm and quick thinking at the same time.
Bamboo Shoot Gnocchi

The game “Takenoko Nyokki” was created on the show Nep League back when it aired late at night.
It became hugely popular, especially among children, as an easy, equipment-free game.
With the chant “Takenoko takenoko nyokki-ki,” players take turns calling out “1-nyoki,” “2-nyoki,” and so on, while striking a pose like a bamboo shoot sprouting.
If two people go at the same time, or if you’re the last one left, you lose.
It’s a very simple game, but once you start, it’s surprisingly addictive and can get pretty heated.
It’s a quick, casual game you can enjoy anywhere, even in short breaks!
In conclusion
Games you can play without any equipment are appealing precisely because they’re so easy to enjoy.
Another big advantage is that as long as you’ve got a group, you can start playing anytime, anywhere.
Whether you’re moving your body or weaving words, that alone is enough to get everyone excited! Master the rules and try using these games in a variety of situations.


