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 that use the body and mind (31–40)
Interactive Play Song: “Pop! Popcorn”
This is a bonding play activity for infants and their parents.
To the song “Poppin’ Popcorn,” have the parent sit with legs outstretched, place the baby on their shins, and gently rock them in rhythm.
During the chorus, lift the baby up—they’ll be delighted.
It’s upbeat and short, so parents can enjoy it without getting too tired.
Don’t make a sound! The Silent Game
The no-noise game, where even the slightest sound means you’re out, is a fun activity for everyone from small children to adults.
You can use anything as the subject, but simple, everyday items like plastic cups make preparation easy and help you enjoy it casually.
Try focusing your attention and being extremely careful to avoid making sounds while getting creative with tasks like stacking paper cups, wrapping with tissues, lining up juice cans, or folding aluminum foil.
Once you get used to the game, it’s also recommended to add a time limit or use paper bags to increase the difficulty.
Rock-Paper-Scissors Train
We’re going to play rock-paper-scissors, but not the usual kind—let me introduce a game called “Rock-Paper-Scissors Train.” Everyone pairs up and faces each other to play rock-paper-scissors.
The winner stays where they are, and the loser moves behind the winner and places their hands on the winner’s shoulders.
They then become like a freight train and move around, meeting new people to play again.
Each time, the loser goes to the back of the line.
This continues until one person ends up at the very front at the end—that person is the winner.
It gets really lively with a large group, but it also sounds fun to play with a small group indoors.
Making a balloon helicopter
This is a balloon helicopter that you play with by attaching a handmade propeller to an inflated balloon! Attach a propeller made from a straw and origami to the mouth of the inflated balloon.
Then just let go of the balloon! The escaping air spins the propeller and lifts the balloon into the air.
Making the propeller and inflating the balloon may be a bit difficult for small children.
That’s why it’s perfect as an activity to enjoy together with a parent or guardian! It’s fun not only indoors but also in open spaces like parks where you can launch it and watch it fly.
Play to develop hazard awareness
By catching only balls of the specified color, children can develop hazard awareness.
You’ll use a pool cue and colored balls.
Cut the pool cue lengthwise in half and join the halves to make a rail.
Set it up on a table, then roll various colored balls down it.
Ask your child to use the pool cue to catch only the balls in the color you told them beforehand.
Seeing, deciding, and moving instantly—this experience will surely help give children the power to protect themselves from danger.
Indoor Games for Parents and Children: Fun Activities Using the Body and Mind (41–50)
Rhythm play with words
Word Rhythm Play is a game you can enjoy while moving your body, building vocabulary and a sense of rhythm, and training skills like quick thinking and problem-solving.
Listen to the beat and match your words to it.
Any words are fine, but the key is to stay on rhythm.
Start with an easy beat and gradually increase the difficulty.
Once you get used to it, adding handclaps while playing can make it even more exciting.
Fruit Concentration
These are felt cards you can use to play Concentration (Memory)! You can choose any motifs you like—fruits, vehicles, animals, anything is fine.
However, since Concentration is a game where you match pairs of identical cards, be sure to make two cards of each design.
Cut felt into card shapes and either glue or sew the motifs onto them.
If you’re making everything out of felt, it’s efficient to layer the same fabric and cut two identical pieces at once to save time.
If you want to keep things simple, you could also use store-bought appliqués and just stick them on.