A game that the whole family can enjoy playing together
On a day off when the whole family is together but you’re not going anywhere, or when unexpected free time pops up, how do you and your family kill time?
If you’re just thinking, “I’m bored…,” then let’s play some games together as a family!
In this article, we’ll introduce games that everyone in the family can enjoy.
We’ve picked a wide range of options, from classic familiar games to popular board games and video games, as well as games you can play without any equipment.
If you find a game that catches your interest, be sure to try it out with the whole family!
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Games that the whole family can enjoy together (41–50)
Avalon
Abalone is a game that exercises your mind while you have fun, played with black and white marbles.
Your goal is to push your opponent’s marbles off the board.
Marbles attack and defend in ways unique to this game, using both linear and lateral movements.
By the way, pushing your opponent’s marbles is called “sumito.” As the game progresses, what looks simple becomes deep and strategic—you might find that attacking opens you up to being attacked.
Think through your tactics and be the first to push 6 of your opponent’s marbles off the board.
A number-guessing game that everyone can enjoy, from children to adults
The number-guessing game, where communication skills and powers of observation are key, is a game that large groups can enjoy.
The rules are simple: on the cue of “Ready, go!”, players take turns calling out the next number.
Each person also decides, at that same cue, whether to stand or sit.
If the number called does not match the number of people standing, the game ends there.
Because you have to observe others and decide which number to call while watching your opponents, the key is not to succumb to tension or pressure.
Give it a try!
Jump into a rock-paper-scissors game!
The “Rock-Paper-Scissors Jump Game,” which combines rock-paper-scissors with jumping, is a playful activity that helps children learn how to use their bodies while potentially improving their athletic ability.
Create waiting spots on the left and right, and have participants play rock-paper-scissors with the person next to them.
The winner then jumps while moving from their current waiting spot to the one on the opposite side.
It’s a simple game that repeats this process, so any child old enough to play rock-paper-scissors can join.
For the jumping styles, start with a “rock” jump keeping both feet together, then move to a “scissors” jump.
After that, switch to a gallop and finally to a “paper” jump.
Lip-sync song guessing game
The lip-sync song guessing game is something even people who love listening to music but aren’t confident singing can enjoy, and it works well at workplaces or schools.
The presenter picks a song, then lip-syncs it—paying close attention to intonation and rhythm—without making any sound.
The guessers carefully watch the presenter’s mouth and facial expressions to figure out what song it is.
At first, it’s best to choose familiar songs that everyone knows.
Once everyone gets the hang of it, you can make the game more exciting by shortening the sung sections or speeding up the delivery.
Play the Signal Game Indoors!
The “Traffic Signal Game,” where everyone follows the leader’s instructions, is a play activity that can help develop the ability to listen carefully and the judgment to act immediately.
When the signal is blue, take one marching step; when it’s yellow, shake your head left and right and look around; when it’s red, squat down.
Listen closely to which color the leader calls and act accordingly.
If the leader calls a color other than the three, everyone says “nai-nai” (meaning “no such color”).
There’s no winning or losing in this game, so just have fun moving your body!
Fun for elementary school kids too! The Rule Game
A “rule game” where you infer the underlying rule and answer.
For example, raise your index finger and say, “This is 1.” Next, raise your index and middle fingers and say, “This is 2.” Finally, raise your index, middle, and ring fingers and say, “This is 3.” Then raise only your index finger and ask, “What is this?” Most participants will probably answer “1,” but the correct answer is “3.” The rule isn’t the shape of the fingers; it’s the demonstratives: “this is, this is, this.” Try coming up with various problems and have fun with it.
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.
An educational game you can play using only dice
This is a numbers-focused activity that children can enjoy from age three.
Understanding numerical concepts is helpful in everyday situations, like shopping or reading a clock.
This time, let’s explore numbers through play using dice.
You’ll need items like wooden blocks, stickers with numbers written on them, a box, and some dice.
First, help your child get used to the motion by practicing throwing the dice into the box.
After that, start with simple activities: throw the dice into the box and count the number of dots that appear together, or throw dice of different colors into the box and count which color appears the most.
Beginning with these simple games can help reduce any resistance to numbers.
Imitation shiritori
Participants face each other and stand on one leg.
Decide the order with rock-paper-scissors or similar, and the first person starts the word chain game (shiritori).
The basic rule of linking words stays the same, but after saying a word, you have to do an impression that matches it.
For example, if you say “gorilla,” you might pound your chest with your fists.
Everyone else copies the impression, and the shiritori continues.
It might sound easy, but you must stay on one leg the entire time.
If you lose your balance or can’t continue the word chain, you lose.
Dosukoi Game
@ve4snxqh♬ original sound – LUMINARY FOR CARS – LUMINARY FOR CARS
Dosukoi is a game that seems like it would get really lively with four players.
Everyone keeps their thumbs down, then one person (the caller) says “Dosukoi [vowel sound/letter]” and a single character.
After that, players randomly raise whichever thumbs they want.
Combining the number of raised thumbs with the first letter the caller said, the first person to quickly say a word that matches that pattern—[word] dosukoi—wins.
Because you have to rhythmically find a word with that number of syllables/characters, it’s a game that uses both your brain and your reflexes.
Some people also use an extra rule that allows players who have already dropped out to give answers.
