Lovely Play & Recreation

Indoor games for parents and children: fun activities that use the body and the mind

lighterutatane
A person from the melodic hardcore boom generation who loves music, photography, and eating. I’ve been going to live houses for over 20 years. I’m at the age where summer festivals are starting to feel tough physically. I sometimes try shooting live photos and videos for MVs. I’m not great at English, so I often listen to straightforward Japanese rock that hits directly, but if someone recommends something, I’ll listen to anything—Western or Japanese—broadly and casually. I like cooking while listening to music; it’s a nice way to relieve stress.
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

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!

Indoor games for parents and children: Fun activities using the body and mind (71–80)

Aiko, then go!

Rock-Paper-Scissors Twist Kids Can Enjoy: Aiko de Don!

Aiko, then go!

Let’s enjoy a reflex-based game! Here’s an idea for Aikode-Don.

This is a one-on-one game where you face each other and start in a seiza (kneeling) position.

With rock-paper-scissors, people usually focus on winning or losing, but in this game the key moment is when it’s a tie! The instant you both throw the same hand (a tie), try to stand up faster than your opponent! Once you get used to the game, try changing the sitting style to gym sit (hugging knees) or long sit with legs extended.

You can also increase the difficulty by adding a rule that you must stand up without using your hands!

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seated sumo (sitting sumo)

[Traditional Japanese Games] Seated Sumo

seated sumo (sitting sumo)

Test your strength with seated sumo, pushing with your hands while sitting! Sit down, extend your hands forward, and at the cue “Hakke-yooi, nokotta!” push against each other with your hands.

The person who rolls backward or whose bottom slips out of position loses.

Standing sumo can lead to big falls, but seated sumo limits movement and is therefore safer and more enjoyable.

To avoid hitting the head when falling backward, do it on a mat and have a teacher positioned behind the players.

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Imitation game

Animal Imitation

Imitation game

It’s a simple and fun imitation game that even small children can enjoy.

The adult first demonstrates what to imitate.

Animals are easy because they have recognizable sounds.

For example, the adult makes a barking sound like “woof-woof” while striking a running pose.

Seeing that, the child imitates the sound and also copies the movements, such as the positions of the hands and feet.

Prepare lots of prompts, from familiar animals to ones you might see at the zoo.

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Limbo dance

If you win the limbo dance showdown, you get a 5-minute shopping spree at Daiso! [Robot Channel] Family Vlog

Limbo dance

Have you ever tried limbo dancing? You often see it on TV variety shows.

All you need is a long pole fixed in place with an adjustable height—then you’re ready to go! The rules are very simple: pass under the pole from the front without touching it, leaning your body back as you go.

You arch your back to lower your height while passing, but the lower the pole, the harder it gets.

If you lean back too much, you’ll lose your balance, so another tip is to spread your legs wide and lower your stance.

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home camping

Pretend camping at home

home camping

If you have a tent, how about playing indoor camping at home? Pitch a tent in a room or on the balcony, and just bringing in a small table and a flashlight will instantly boost the excitement! It could also be fun to make a makeshift barbecue grill using things you have at home, like cardboard or scrap materials.

It’s pretend play, but even just eating lunch—like bread or rice balls—inside the tent can make it feel special and taste better than usual.

Don’t forget to bring in some snacks, too!

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