Recommended for upper elementary grades! Exciting indoor recreation and games
Ever find yourself unsure what to do for upper-elementary recreation time? Wouldn’t it be perfect to have activities that not only get kids moving but also build teamwork and social awareness? Here, we’ve gathered ideas that make full use of collaboration and brainpower—from a game where you stack cups by working together, to psychological battles that test your timing and when to jump in.
Everything can be done with familiar, easy-to-find materials and will get the whole class excited.
Have fun with your friends!
- [Play Right Away!] Exciting Recreation Games Recommended for Elementary School Students
- Get the Fun Going! Easy Classroom Games You Can Play at School: Recreational Activities for the Whole Class
- Play ideas kids can enjoy from 1st to 6th grade [indoors & outdoors]
- Elementary School Fun Day a Big Hit! Indoor Game Idea Collection
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- [Children’s Club] Easy and fun indoor games. Exciting party games
- [Elementary School] Indoor Games and Recreational Activities Recommended for Upper Primary Grades
- Fun activities for junior high school students. Recreation games.
- Recreation Ideas That Truly Excite High School Students! A Fun Collection of Activities
- Games and activities everyone can enjoy together. A collection of fun play ideas.
- No worries even in the rain! Fun recreational activities you can do in the gym
- [Elementary School] Quick and Easy! Indoor Recreational Activities Perfect for Lower Grades
- A collection of simple indoor recreational games
Get Moving! Indoor Sports and Physical Activity Games for Upper Elementary Students (11–20)
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.
Flag-raising game
Have you ever played the classic “flag-raising game” known for the phrase “Raise red, lower white”? It’s a traditional pastime that’s been around forever.
You can even make the flags easily with origami paper and chopsticks.
It’s a simple game, but most of us don’t remember ever playing it seriously.
How about trying it for real? You end up getting confused halfway through… and that actually makes it more exciting.
It would probably be fun to have a big group do it all at once, too!
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.
Large-Group, Classic Party Games & Fun Activities (1–10)
Speaking of 〇〇, games.
It’s the “If you hear ___, what comes to mind?” game that doesn’t end until everyone gives the same answer.
For example, if the question is “What’s the quintessential onigiri filling?” and not everyone gives the same filling, you move on to the next prompt—and so on—so it could theoretically go on forever (lol).
The more people there are, the lower the success rate, so it gets harder.
Can everyone get in sync and name the must-have classic?
Pair-finding Word Wolf Game
Word Wolf is a lively game, but here’s an even more exciting twist: a pair-finding Word Wolf with a clever rule change.
Prepare cards with words that form pairs, matching the number of players, and deal them out.
Players ask questions to figure out what their word is, then point to the person they believe holds the card that pairs with theirs to make a match.
If there’s an odd number of participants, include one solo card; if you realize your word stands alone, point to yourself to score correctly.
Try it with themes like foods, onigiri fillings, or sports.