[Simple Games] Recommended Indoor Recreational Activities for Adults
When a large group gathers indoors and you think, “Let’s do something fun!”, do you ever find yourselves surprisingly stuck for ideas? In this article, we introduce simple games that are perfect for getting everyone excited, including team battles and cooperative play.
From games that require almost no props to ones you can play easily with everyday items, we’ve gathered activities ideal for indoor recreation.
Games that you progress through by cooperating naturally spark conversation and deepen relationships! There are also slightly brain-teasing games that adults will especially enjoy, so be sure to give them a try together.
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Sports and Exercise Recreations (11–20)
Bowling
Bowling is a classic indoor activity, isn’t it? It’s fun just to play normally, and it can be interesting to add special rules like the famous “no-English bowling” you see on TV shows or YouTube.
Competing by score with rewards or punishments is a standard approach, too.
If you don’t feel like going out, it’s also fun to DIY a set using items like plastic bottles.
Two-person three-legged challenge
The “X-person X-leg challenge,” where participants tie their legs together with a string and aim for the goal, is a simple cooperative game you can play indoors.
It can be done with two people or more—though the more people you have, the harder it becomes to keep in step, prompting creative ways to synchronize everyone’s movements.
There are plenty of moments when people lose balance or can’t move forward because their pace doesn’t match, which often leads to lots of laughter.
Even a short distance is enough to enjoy the game, making it effective for sparking conversation or breaking the ice.
More than winning or losing, the real charm lies in the process of advancing together step by step.
It’s a popular recreational activity that gets people moving while fostering cooperation and smiles.
Squash volley
It’s a sport adapted from volleyball that uses a badminton doubles court and a special soft ball.
Matches are played in teams of three, and the biggest difference from volleyball is that you must always hit the ball three times before returning it to the opponent’s court.
The soft ball reduces impact when struck, making it easier to participate, but because it doesn’t bounce the way you expect, it creates strategic mind games.
Since it’s a small-team format, assembling teams with consideration for participants’ stamina and balance is also an important point.
Boccia
Boccia is a simple sport where you throw balls toward a white target ball and compete to see who can get closest.
Its biggest appeal is that the rules are easy to understand and anyone can enjoy it regardless of strength or age.
While it’s well known as an official Paralympic event, it has now become very popular in senior facilities, schools, and recreational settings.
It’s easy to introduce because it can be played indoors, doesn’t require a large space, and the equipment is compact.
You can also enjoy thrilling turnarounds, with comebacks sometimes happening in the final end.
It’s an indoor game that combines strategy and playfulness in just the right balance—something anyone can get hooked on.
bouldering
Bouldering has become a staple sport even as a hobby for adults.
It’s tough at first, but as you practice you’ll find yourself climbing more and more routes, and before you know it, it helps you get over a lack of exercise.
Recently, more bouldering gyms have been designed to be welcoming for women as well, so be sure to check them out.
Going with friends is also highly recommended.
table tennis
Table tennis is a classic pastime at hot spring inns, but these days there are more and more commercial facilities where you can play sports, and it’s become common to see places where you can play table tennis.
Even if you weren’t on the table tennis team back in school, it’s now easy to give it a try, so why not challenge yourself? Play for about an hour and you’ll work up quite a sweat—it’s a great workout.
Tug of war
The tug-of-war that everyone has experienced at least once is drawing fresh attention as an indoor recreational activity for adults.
All you need is a rope and a bit of space.
It’s a simple team game, but because it uses the whole body—arms, legs, and core—it’s great for combating a lack of exercise.
The clear win-or-lose outcome naturally gets people fired up, which is part of its appeal.
As long as you take safety precautions so the floor isn’t slippery, you can enjoy it indoors with peace of mind.
Nostalgic yet new, it’s a recommended idea that people of all generations can enjoy.