[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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Experiential/Sensory Games (1–10)
Presence Slash
“Kehaigiri” is a game where players are blindfolded, sense the opponent’s presence, and swing their sword downward to strike the “men” (head).
It’s basically played one-on-one.
After putting on the blindfold—so you can’t tell where your opponent is—you spin around a few times, then start the game.
Since you’ll be striking the head with a sword, be sure to use a soft sword, like one for mock swordplay.
It’s hard to settle a match in very large spaces like outdoors, so playing indoors is recommended.
If the match drags on, have a referee bring the two players closer together or try other adjustments.
The first player to land a “men” wins!
Escape Game
How about trying a slightly more elaborate activity: an escape room game? It does take some prep work and careful selection of puzzles, but escape rooms almost always get people excited.
And if you turn a familiar place—a room at home, school, or the office—into the setting, it’ll bring a different kind of thrill and fun than usual.
Look up puzzles on video platforms or puzzle websites and hide them around the room.
You can time how long it takes to escape, and turning it into a team competition is a great idea too.
NG word game
If you’re looking for a game that livens up conversation, the “NG Word Game” is a great pick.
In this game, each participant is assigned an NG (forbidden) word.
You won’t be told your own NG word, but you’ll know everyone else’s.
Steer the conversation to get others to say their NG words, while guessing what your own might be from the flow of the discussion and being careful not to say it yourself.
Because it allows for natural conversation, it’s also a great icebreaker for meeting new people!
Experiential and Sensory Games (11–20)
Do-Re-Mi Song Game
“The Do-Re-Mi Song Game” is a game that became popular thanks to comedians and YouTubers.
In this game, you use the lyrics and melody of the well-known Do-Re-Mi song.
A pitch is suddenly specified, and the chosen person must sing the melody and lyrics starting from that pitch.
It sounds easy when you just listen, but when you try it, it’s actually quite difficult! When you sing on the spot, the pitch and lyrics tend to get mixed up, which makes it very funny for the audience to hear.
The “○○-ne” game
The “XX, right?” game is a party game created by the loud band and popular YouTubers ‘Yuuyami ni Izanai shi Shikkoku no Tenshi-tachi’ (The Angels of Pitch Black Who Invite You into the Twilight).
In this game, players form pairs: one person explains the prompt, and the other imagines what it is and answers with “XX, right?”.
After that, you keep coming up with more “XX, right?” answers that have a similar feel or sound to the first prompt.
Since coming up with prompts can be tricky, use your imagination.
Takoyaki Russian Roulette
If you’re planning a takoyaki party at someone’s home, “Takoyaki Russian Roulette” is also a fun option.
Put wasabi or mustard in just one of the takoyaki to make a “losing” piece, and have participants each take one to eat.
It’s thrilling because no one wants to get the losing one, and the reactions when someone does are hilarious.
Just be careful not to put in too much, or it could get out of hand.
The Can-Do/Can’t-Do Game
The “Can or Can’t” game is a simple two-player game where you only answer “can” or “can’t.” One person gives a prompt, and the other quickly answers whether they can do it or not.
You might think a game this simple wouldn’t be exciting, but because you have to respond instantly, people get flustered and sometimes give the wrong answer.
Count a mistake as a minus point and use that to decide the winner.
Even with silly questions, the back-and-forth of “No way you can do that!” makes it really lively.