[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 Compilation (21–30)
Two-letter shiritori
Would you like to try playing two-letter shiritori? In regular shiritori, you connect the last letter of the previous word to the first letter of your word regardless of length, and the person who uses a word that ends with “n” loses.
This version adds one more rule: you can only answer with two-letter words.
It’s perfect for when regular shiritori is too easy and boring.
If you want to make it even harder, try banning repeated words or keeping a steady rhythm while playing.
It’s a real test of your vocabulary!
Say: “Apologize to Aya and Aya, apologize to Aya and your parents.”
A tongue twister in dialogue style: “Apologize to Aya, and tell her to apologize to her parents.” There are several versions of this tongue twister, such as “Apologize to Aya, and tell her to apologize to the greengrocer,” or “Tell the greengrocer that Aya is going to the bathhouse with her parents.” All versions rhyme on ‘Aya’ (o-aya) and make the sentences complex in a similar way.
Even without small kana or voiced sounds, it’s still difficult—a rare type of tongue twister.
Give it a try!
[Rec] Interesting! Wordplay Game Roundup (31–40)
No Voiced-Sound Game
Voiced sounds refer to “muddy” sounds like da and ji.
For example, daijoubu and gomen are words that contain voiced sounds.
This game is about having a conversation while banning these voiced sounds.
When you talk, choose a topic and discuss it.
Saying you won’t talk is not allowed.
Remove the voiced sounds and keep the conversation going.
If you answer reflexively, you’ll end up speaking as usual, so be careful.
Announcing that there will be a penalty game for each voiced sound used will make it more thrilling!
Telephone game
The telephone game is a classic recreation.
Children sit in a line, and the child at one end starts by passing along a prompt word so that the others can’t hear.
Whispering from one to the next, making sure no one else can hear, it goes down the line to the end—did the message make it through correctly? That’s the fun of the game.
Because the whispers are so quiet and hard to catch, the message often doesn’t come across accurately—but that’s part of the enjoyment, sparking laughter and excitement.
In conclusion
We’ve put together a collection of word games that everyone can enjoy—from little kids to adults and seniors! There are ones you speak out loud and ones you work through in writing, so I think we’ve covered quite a wide range of types.
Please use this article as a guide and enjoy a wonderful time!