No worries even in the rain! Fun recreational activities you can do in the gym
Introducing fun recreation activities you can enjoy in the gym! When you hear variety games or cooperative games, you might imagine playing outside, but there are plenty of activities and recreations you can enjoy in a gym.
Even when rain or snow keeps you indoors, you can still build your fitness in the gym.
Basketball, futsal, dodgeball—there are tons of games and activities everyone can enjoy together! Try making time to be active in the gym with friends or family while having fun.
Exercise energizes both your mind and body!
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Popular Sports and Recreational Activities You Can Enjoy in a Gym (1–10)
Dodgebee
Some people find that dodgeball hurts when you get hit, right? In that case, how about playing with a “Dodgebee”? The rules are the same as dodgeball: you try to hit the players in the inner court, and if the inner court is reduced to zero players, that team loses.
But unlike a ball, a Dodgebee is very soft, so it doesn’t hurt much when you get hit.
You throw it the same way as a Frisbee, so kids will quickly get used to throwing it.
And since it doesn’t hurt when you’re hit, it feels safe when you’re catching it, too!
Boccia
Let me introduce a ball game called “Boccia.” The white ball is the target ball.
Divide into red and blue teams, and each team throws its red or blue balls toward the white target ball.
The goal is to see how close your team’s balls can get to the target ball to score points.
Discuss and decide the throwing order.
The team with the higher total score wins.
Where you throw from and how you throw are also important.
It’s a fun game for both adults and children—give it a try!
curling
Curling is an ice sport.
At the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, the Japanese women’s curling team won a bronze medal and drew a lot of attention.
“Carooring” lets you play a curling-style game on the floor.
It does require a dedicated jet roller that serves as the stone, so there’s an initial cost, but once you buy it you can enjoy it for a long time.
Simply aiming at the target and throwing is easy enough for kids, too! It’s highly recommended as an interaction game for community events with participants of all ages.
Balloon Tennis
Kids’ smiles bursting with joy! Here are some balloon tennis ideas.
Tennis is usually played with a racket and a tennis ball, right? In the video, they’re using rackets with Anpanman illustrations.
Using larger-than-normal balloons might make it easier to hit with the racket.
Since balloons can easily be carried away by the wind, if you play balloon tennis outdoors, it’s best to choose a spacious area and a day with little wind.
It’s also a fun idea for indoor play.
Centipede Dodgeball
‘Centipede Dodgeball’ is a game that adds a little twist to regular dodgeball.
We recommend playing with eight people.
First, set up a square court.
Place an outfield along each side outside the court.
Next, have four players inside the court line up in a single file, each holding the shoulders of the person in front, like a centipede.
They must remain in this formation at all times while inside the court; if the line breaks, they’re out.
The outfielders should aim their throws at the player at the end of the line.
If anyone other than the last player is hit, it doesn’t count.
Try this game when you’re tired of the usual dodgeball!
Cardboard Badminton
Let’s have fun using recycled materials! Here’s an idea for cardboard badminton.
When you think of badminton, you use a racket and a shuttlecock, right? This time, let’s make both pieces of equipment using scrap materials you can find at home, like cardboard.
What you’ll need: cardboard, an A4-size clear plastic file, tissue paper, a permanent marker, tape, a ruler, scissors, and more.
The way the shuttlecock spins around as it falls is unique and really fun to watch!
balloon volleyball
As the name suggests, you play volleyball by turning the ball into a balloon.
Since it’s a balloon, it doesn’t hurt when it hits you, so people from small children to the elderly can enjoy it easily.
Balloons are light and don’t fly exactly where you expect—they move unpredictably, which makes it fun.
Fluffy Tennis Using Scrap Materials
Here’s an idea for fluffy tennis using recycled materials.
Tennis usually involves a racket and a ball, but this time let’s try tennis using a plastic bottle and a bag! You’ll need a plastic bottle, a bag, stickers, a pen, and masking tape.
Draw your favorite illustrations on the bag, then fill it with air.
Decorating the plastic bottle freely with masking tape and stickers will get everyone excited.
Work together to keep the softly floating bag from falling.
Popular Sports and Recreational Activities Enjoyable in a Gymnasium (11–20)
rod soccer
“Stick Soccer” is popular among seniors too! Regular soccer requires a large field and stamina, but this stick soccer can be fully enjoyed in a gym, and since it’s played sitting down, you don’t need to worry about endurance or running speed.
First, make a court measuring 90 cm wide, 12 m long, and 40 cm high, and place a goal at each end.
Once the court is set up, arrange chairs on both sides of the court and have participants sit down.
Each person holds one stick, and when the ball is ready, the game begins.
Aim for the goal and use your stick to move the ball into the opponent’s territory!
futsal
Let’s try playing soccer indoors—futsal! To put it simply, the difference between futsal and soccer is that futsal is a small-sided version of soccer, like mini-soccer.
The court is smaller, teams are five a side, and the game is played in two 20-minute halves.
It’s great because you can easily enjoy it indoors with a small group, and just like regular soccer, it gets really exciting!
