[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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Classic Board and Card Games (1–10)
Noi
Neu is a Japanese-born card game with simple rules that anyone can enjoy right away.
There are negative-number cards and positive-number cards, as well as special cards that reverse turn order, let you choose the next player, or double the total.
Players take turns playing cards strategically, keeping the running total from exceeding 101 on their turn.
It’s popular because it can be played regardless of age and flexes to different group sizes.
It also doesn’t take up much space, so it might be nice to have a set at home.
Classic Board Games and Card Games (11–20)
Infinite Spot the Difference
Here’s a fresh take on a spot-the-difference game that you can play virtually infinitely by changing the combinations of cards.
Looking at the left and right cards that are shown, players take turns calling out one difference each.
You must name a difference within the time limit.
If you fail to do so in time, you sit out the next turn.
When everyone times out, that round ends, and points are awarded to those who found the most differences.
Then, swap one of the two cards with another card and keep searching for differences.
After several rounds, the game ends, and the player with the highest score wins.
Othello
Board games that are easy to play indoors are popular, aren’t they? A classic among such board games is Othello.
It’s such a well-known game that an explanation of the rules might be unnecessary, but just in case: you place black and white discs on the board and flip the ones you’ve sandwiched.
These days there are Othello smartphone apps, so it’s become easy to play.
Card game ‘Robo 77 (LOBO 77)’
Players take turns playing numbered cards and adding to a running total.
If you make the total reach 77 or higher, or land on a double (matching digits like 11, 22, etc.), you lose.
Some cards have negative numbers, some double the total, and some reverse the direction of play.
It looks simple, but it actually involves a lot of reading your opponents! The pace is brisk, which pulls you in and can get surprisingly intense.
Although it’s themed as “for adults,” it’s also great for families with elementary school kids since it’s good practice for arithmetic.
Jenga
Jenga is a classic game that’s great for playing indoors.
It may be a classic, but once you try it, it always gets everyone excited—there’s a reason it’s a staple! These days, there are all kinds of Jenga variations on the market, like Love Jenga that’s perfect for mixers and Punishment Jenga for forfeits.
Choosing one that suits the occasion will make things even more fun.
chess
If you’re looking for a brainy recreation, I also recommend chess.
Chess is similar to shogi in terms of rules, but there are differences, such as the types of pieces and the fact that you can’t reuse captured pieces.
How about inviting a friend and practicing together as beginners? Plus, chessboards and pieces look cool, so they make great interior decor—you can enjoy just having them on display at home.
Trump Card Game “F Card”
When you get together with friends and find there’s nothing to do—no games everyone can play—playing cards come to the rescue.
Almost every household has a deck, and you can easily pick one up at a 100-yen shop, making them a go-to for casual fun.
This game uses a standard deck of cards.
Players lay down cards from their hands; the one with the lower number loses and takes all the cards on the table.
Anyone who runs out of cards in their hand is safe and out of the game.
It’s a simple game, but it gets exciting and surprisingly tricky as you factor in your opponent’s and your own remaining cards.
You can even play with just two people.
