Indoor games for parents and children: fun activities that use the body and the mind
We’ve gathered indoor games that parents and children can enjoy together.
These include traditional hand-play songs and play rhymes you can do without any equipment, as well as active movement games that let kids use their whole bodies.
It’s a rich collection perfect for parent–child activities in preschools and elementary schools, and for everyday play at home!
If you’re looking for “simple activities that help kids and adults connect,” please feel free to use this as a reference.
Have a blast—kids will be thrilled!
And for adults, it’s a great way to get some much-needed exercise!
- [Parent-Child Rec] Recreational activities and games for parents and children to enjoy together—also great for sports days.
- [Children’s Club] Easy and fun indoor games. Exciting party games
- [Elementary School] Quick and Easy! Indoor Recreational Activities Perfect for Lower Grades
- Fun Indoor Games for Elementary School Kids Without Any Equipment
- [For Kids] Indoor Fun! Large-Group Recreational Activities and Games
- Parent–child interactive play. Fun activities popular in childcare settings and at parent–child observation days.
- [For Kids] Exciting Class-vs-Class Games: Team Competition Activities
- Play ideas kids can enjoy from 1st to 6th grade [indoors & outdoors]
- Elementary School Fun Day a Big Hit! Indoor Game Idea Collection
- A collection of simple indoor recreational games
- Recommended for upper elementary grades! Exciting indoor recreation and games
- Games that liven up social and networking gatherings
- [Kindergarten/Daycare] Games and Performances for Fun Events
Indoor Games for Parents and Children: Fun Activities Using Body and Mind (61–70)
hopscotch
Hopscotch—parents might find themselves getting nostalgic and jumping in, too! When we were kids, we’d draw the course with chalk on the asphalt in front of the house.
You can also enjoy it indoors using masking tape or foam mats.
As you chant “Ken-ken-pa!” you hop on one foot, land with both feet, and aim for the goal, keeping the rhythm and not making mistakes.
If you lose the rhythm or step outside the course, you’re out.
Try different variations like time trials and have fun!
Let’s play with torn paper collage!
Did you ever make torn-paper collages when you were a kid? I have memories of creating big ones for art class and school events.
First, you draw an outline, then stick small torn pieces of origami paper onto the sketch.
A tip is to apply glue to the sketch rather than the origami paper, and then fine-tune the placement after sticking it down.
Tearing the origami paper itself is fun, too.
Perler beads
Ironing beads that captivate both adults and children.
There are many colors available, and lately you can easily buy them at 100-yen shops.
There’s also a small type called nano beads, which are perfect for making small accessories.
For younger children, the larger ironing beads are easier to handle.
Place the beads on a pegboard, then cover them with a pressing cloth and press with an iron.
The heat from the iron slightly melts the beads, which stick to the neighboring beads to form a single piece.
Try making one with your kids’ favorite characters!
Coin Stacking Game
It’s a game where you simply stack coins.
It’s simple, but there are lots of ways to play and it’s easy to customize.
It’s also nice that you can use whatever you have at home, like coins from a board game or Othello pieces.
You can compete to see how high you can stack them, or take turns stacking and the person who knocks them over loses—both are exciting.
For small children, just stacking them can be fun.
It’s a perfect little pastime for when you’ve got a bit of time to kill.
table tennis
Table ping-pong you can easily play at home sounds like a blast, right? Set up a net on the table and rally a ping-pong ball.
Making a DIY scoreboard will boost the mood and make it feel more official—guaranteed fun! If you have a lot of people, you can play team matches or doubles for extra enjoyment.
You can use your regular table, and the net rolls up compactly, so it doesn’t take up much space—nice and convenient.
Table ping-pong is something both adults and kids can enjoy together, so be sure to spend some fun time playing it!
Hand-push sumo
Let’s try playing hand-push sumo! You might be thinking, “Sumo while sitting?” Even though it says sitting, you actually squat down on the spot facing each other, and at the starting signal you push each other with your hands.
Because you’re squatting, it’s hard to keep your balance and you might just topple over.
If your butt touches the floor or you roll over, you lose.
It’s not just about shoving hard—there’s strategy involved, which makes it a fun style of sumo.
It’s a great indoor game for parents and kids, letting you move your bodies while deepening communication.
What’s inside the box?
Let’s try a slightly thrilling game: “What’s in the box?” It’s the one you often see on TV, and if you play it at home, your kids will love it.
Prepare an empty box and make holes on the sides so you can put your hands in.
Then, reach inside and guess what’s in the box.
The suspense of touching something unknown makes it really exciting.
It gets even more fun if you put in items that feel cool to the touch or have unusual textures!