[Rec] Interesting! A roundup of wordplay games
When you hear “word games,” do you mostly think of shiritori? It’s something everyone must have played as a child.
But if you take a look at this page, you’ll see there are actually quite a few types of word games.
In this article, we’ll introduce some fun word games and games that use language! They’re perfect for quick games with friends when you have some spare time, for recreation periods in preschools and elementary schools, and as icebreakers for working adults.
- Games you can play with just conversation. Classic and popular activities you can enjoy without any props!
- Challenge together! A roundup of word games for adults
- Brain-teasing game roundup
- Get the Fun Going! Easy Classroom Games You Can Play at School: Recreational Activities for the Whole Class
- [For Adults] Fun recreational games. Perfect for short breaks too!
- [Simple Games] Recommended Indoor Recreational Activities for Adults
- Fun activities for junior high school students. Recreation games.
- [Play Right Away!] Exciting Recreation Games Recommended for Elementary School Students
- Tongue twisters that will make you laugh out loud! Super funny
- A simple and fun co-op game that enhances teamwork
- [Recreation] Challenge! A roundup of tongue twisters recommended for elementary school students
- Indoor Games for Small Groups: Exciting Recreational Activities
- Games and activities everyone can enjoy together. A collection of fun play ideas.
[Rec] Interesting! Wordplay Game Collection (11–20)
Anagram
The wordplay where you rearrange the letters of a word or phrase to form another word or phrase with a different meaning is called an anagram.
Because you have to find meaningful words or phrases from among the many possible letter arrangements, it’s even more complex and difficult than palindromes, which simply reverse words.
Anagrams are used in various contexts, such as authors’ pen names and company names.
It’s also said that medieval scientists like Galileo Galilei recorded their discoveries in the form of anagrams to prevent other scientists from stealing their ideas.
Rap battle
A “rap battle” is a way to play with freestyle rap that even beginners can try.
Rap is the star of hip-hop, and rappers are pros at wielding words.
The most important thing is to ride the rhythm—rap about what happened to you today in time with the beat.
It’s fine if you can’t rhyme or use English at first; just speak your words out loud like you’re having a conversation.
Once you get used to it, try choosing words that fit the rhythm and experiment with rhyming.
Decide on judges in advance, and have them pick whoever delivered the cooler rap to determine the winner.
Without Katakana
In everyday life, we often use words written in katakana.
Here, we’d like to introduce “Katakana-ashi,” a game where you explain a given topic without using katakana.
For example, you show a ball used in P.E.
and ask, “What is this?” The answer will likely be “ball.” Next, have them describe the ball without using any katakana.
Children will likely search for answers by thinking of various words in their heads.
Try switching the roles of questioner and answerer and give it a go.
Lyrics Shiritori Game
A fun game where you play shiritori using song lyrics.
Sing a line from a song, then continue with lyrics from another song that start with the last character of the previous line.
It’s great for everyone from kids to adults—you’ll recall familiar tunes and discover new ones.
Not only for people who love singing, it’s also a chance to encounter songs you don’t know.
Perfect for karaoke, parties, and school activities.
Even those who aren’t confident singers will naturally smile—simple yet surprisingly deep.
Put your musical knowledge and creativity to use and have fun playing!
Reverse Playback Telephone Game
Guess the prompt from reversed audio in the Reverse Playback Telephone Game! Use an app to record your voice, play it back in reverse, and pass along exactly what you hear to the next person.
Record the last person’s voice and reverse it—if it matches the original prompt, you win! Unlike simple backward-speak, both consonants and vowels are reversed, so the reversed audio hardly resembles the original.
Accurately hearing and pronouncing these nonsensical sounds is far harder than you’d imagine.
Participants desperately relaying these strange words—and everyone listening—won’t be able to hold back their laughter.
It’s a guaranteed laugh-out-loud party game.
Tongue Twister Showdown
When it comes to games that get everyone excited without using any props, tongue-twister battles are a classic.
Gather a variety of fun tongue twisters and face off.
You can present one prompt at a time and decide rankings each round, or set multiple prompts with different difficulty levels and see who lasts the longest.
It’s a good idea to write the prompts on a whiteboard.
Since tongue twisters are tough at first glance, consider adding practice time and other tweaks so everyone can enjoy the game.
[Rec] Interesting! Wordplay Game Compilation (21–30)
Debate showdown
A debate showdown where you deliberately take different positions and argue a theme with logical persuasion.
There are also shows on the internet and TV where celebrities face off in debate matches, right? Memorable quotes from Hiroyuki during his debate showdowns also became a hot topic.
A debate showdown game, where you skillfully put what you think and feel into words, can help you develop your ability to communicate.
It’s also crucial to listen closely to what your opponent says and, when you’re on a team with opinions different from your own, to think objectively.
How about forming teams with a few friends and giving it a try?