Recreation Ideas That Truly Excite High School Students! A Fun Collection of Activities
Great news for high school students looking for new games to liven up your class or club! Here, we’ll introduce fun recreational activities that strengthen bonds with your friends—from brain-teasing games to get-you-moving activities.
They’re easy to prepare and work well for both small and large groups.
We’ve packed in exciting, heart-pounding ideas perfect for sleepovers and class recreation, too.
Give them a try and make awesome memories with your friends!
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Fun, Exciting Games (11–20)
10-yen soccer game
Let’s play a soccer game using 10-yen coins! First, how to defend: use your pinky finger to make a goal, and your index finger plays the role of the goalkeeper.
Keep your pinky fixed in place.
You’ll use three 10-yen coins in total.
To attack, slide one 10-yen coin through the gap between the other two coins, then take a shot.
Even if the coin hits another coin or fails to pass between them, offense and defense still switch.
There’s also a special rule you can use only once, so be sure to check it out!
Bamboo shoot, bamboo shoot, nyokki-ki!
Start with the chant: Take-no-ko, Take-no-ko, Nyokkikki! Everyone stands by in a circle, and then pops up like a sprouting bamboo shoot, calling out “1-nyokki,” “2-nyokki,” and so on.
If two people speak at the same time, they’re out! The rules are simple, but timing your voice while reading the room can be pretty nerve-racking.
The more players there are, the harder the game gets, so why not try it when you have a big group? You might need plenty of penalties ready!
A command game popular with both children and adults
It’s a fast-paced game that tests your listening skills and split-second decision-making.
The rules are very clear: if someone says, “Order: do XX,” you perform the action; but if they say only “Do XX” without the word “Order,” you must not move.
If you react by mistake, you’re out, so observation and concentration are essential.
The teacher’s feints will spark laughter across the classroom, creating a fun atmosphere.
Despite the simple rules, there’s a lot of strategy in the rhythm and timing, and it stays exciting no matter how many times you play.
Move or stay still—the instant you decide determines the winner.
Say one thing, do the opposite! Game
@moecoregakuen♪ Original Song – FREVIA – FREVIA
A brain-teasing party game: Say the same, do the opposite! Here’s how to play.
Get a few people to stand in a circle.
One person calls out commands.
When they say “forward,” everyone should say “forward” out loud but move their bodies backward.
When they say “right,” say “right” but move your body to the left, and so on.
As the rounds go on, people may lose focus and start making mistakes.
It’s a hilarious game that gets more exciting with larger groups!
Without Katakana
In everyday life, we often use words written in katakana.
Here, we’d like to introduce “Katakana-ashi,” a game where you explain a given topic without using katakana.
For example, you show a ball used in P.E.
and ask, “What is this?” The answer will likely be “ball.” Next, have them describe the ball without using any katakana.
Children will likely search for answers by thinking of various words in their heads.
Try switching the roles of questioner and answerer and give it a go.
Change Janken
Here’s a variation of rock-paper-scissors where the hands you throw aren’t visible to each other.
Play rock-paper-scissors as usual, but keep your hands hidden and try to imagine what the other person is throwing while asking each other questions.
You’re free to believe or doubt whatever the other person says.
Once you’ve decided on your final hand, reveal them to each other.
It’s a fun twist on the game with a psychological element—give it a try! It might be even more exciting with a larger group.
Exciting and Funny Games (21–30)
Southern Cross Expedition
It’s an exciting theme where you become a member of the Southern Cross Expedition Team and go on a treasure hunt.
It begins when you receive a message from a teammate saying, “I found treasure on a southern island, but it’s heavy—please help.” However, communication is cut off partway through, and the story revolves around completing the remaining map.
Each member holds different pieces of information, and you can’t reach the answer unless everyone shares what they know.
The key is not to keep your own information to yourself, but to share it and work cooperatively with your teammates.
While enjoying the fun of deduction and organizing information, you also learn the importance of trusting your companions.
The very process of completing the map through repeated discussions is a stimulating theme that lets you experience a real sense of accomplishment.