Indoor recreation for children: A roundup of exciting games
We’ve put together recreational activities, games, and indoor play ideas that bring out children’s smiles.
You’ll find plenty of large-group games and activities perfect for preschools and schools, as well as lots of options families can enjoy at home.
They’re ideal for rainy days or any time it’s hard to go outside.
If you’re looking for recreations, games, or indoor activities to enjoy with kids, be sure to check these out.
Even if kids start out feeling, “It’s a shame we can’t play outside…,” by the end they’ll surely be saying, “That was fun!”
- [For Kids] Indoor Fun! Large-Group Recreational Activities and Games
- Play ideas kids can enjoy from 1st to 6th grade [indoors & outdoors]
- [Play Right Away!] Exciting Recreation Games Recommended for Elementary School Students
- [Elementary School] Quick and Easy! Indoor Recreational Activities Perfect for Lower Grades
- Popularity ranking of recreational activities for children
- [Children’s Club] Easy and fun indoor games. Exciting party games
- [For Kids] Today's Recommended Recreation Idea Collection
- Recommended for upper elementary grades! Exciting indoor recreation and games
- A big hit at after-school childcare! A special feature on group games and activities you can play without any equipment
- Elementary School Fun Day a Big Hit! Indoor Game Idea Collection
- [For Kids] Fun Indoor Game Ideas for After-School Day Services
- Indoor games and recreational activities recommended for daycare and kindergarten
- Indoor Games for Small Groups: Exciting Recreational Activities
Indoor recreation for children: A roundup of exciting games (101–110)
Balloon badminton
This is an indoor “balloon badminton” game.
You can make rackets with paper plates, disposable chopsticks, and duct tape.
Since the ball is a balloon, it won’t hurt if it hits you, so even small children can enjoy it.
Kids will be hooked on the way the balloon never flies quite as you expect! It also gets their bodies moving, making it good exercise even indoors.
Butt tag
https://www.tiktok.com/@jr_12340301/video/7465116152386178311When we think of tag, we usually imagine running around as fast as we can, but this is a more relaxed version you can enjoy at an easier pace.
The basic rules are the same as regular tag, but the way you flee and chase is different.
Both the runners and the chaser (the “it”) move forward while sitting with their knees up, using only their bottoms and arms.
You must never stand up! Anyone tagged by “it” becomes the next chaser.
To make it clear who’s “it,” it might be good for that person to wear something noticeable like a hat or a sash.
Since foot speed doesn’t matter here, people can play together regardless of differences in physical ability!
Tail tag
In this game, everyone wears a tail and tries to grab other people’s tails while shouting a cheer, making sure their own tail isn’t taken.
You can also put spare tails in a box so that anyone who loses theirs can put on another and keep playing—this way, the game lasts longer.
In the end, the person who collects the most tails wins.
It’s a game where situational awareness and quick reflexes are the keys to success.
Hand-push sumo
When it comes to simple games that get everyone, from kids to adults, fired up, “teoshi-zumo” (hand-push sumo) is a classic! Unlike regular sumo where you collide with your whole body, this one is played face-to-face using only your hands.
There’s a rule that you can’t move your feet, so whoever moves first while pushing loses.
If it were just pushing, the stronger person would win, right? But in this game, you can dodge a push or fake a push without actually doing it, so there’s a strategic, mind-game aspect to it.
That’s why even if there’s a strength difference, you can’t tell who’ll win until the very end!
Stop game
A light, get-your-body-moving game: the Stop Game.
The rules are very simple.
Once the music starts, move freely around the room.
Then, when the music stops, freeze right where you are! When the music starts again, start moving.
Keep repeating this.
If you speed the music up or slow it down, it gets a bit more challenging and exciting.
It’s also fun to add a rule where, just before stopping, the teacher or leader calls out something like “rabbit” or “elephant,” and everyone has to freeze while imitating that animal.
It’s perfect for filling a short break, so give it a try!
Indoor recreation for children: A roundup of exciting games (111–120)
Wiggly Tail Tag
We’d like to introduce a wiggly tail-tag game that also requires some clever footwork while running.
Use triangular red cones or blocks to create a winding path.
When players face each other, the person closer to the winding path is the runner, and the one farther away is the chaser.
Once they’re facing off, if the runner taps the chaser’s hand, the runner starts escaping along the winding path.
Because the path twists and turns, it’s hard to predict how the tail will move—that’s the key point.
It’s fun to focus, watch the tail’s movement, and think about the timing to grab it.
Once you get used to it, you can make the winding path longer to increase the running distance and make the game even more exciting.
Circuit Play × Tail Tag
Let me introduce a tail-chase game combined with a circuit play setup that’s sure to heat things up.
First, decide the area where players can run, then place vaulting boxes, mats, and other obstacles within that area to create the field.
Runners try to escape by dashing around the field while avoiding the obstacles.
The chaser tries to catch up and grab the tail, but the obstacles might get in the way and make it hard to move forward as planned.
The obstacles add excitement to the game.
When setting them up, be sure to secure enough space and enjoy safely to prevent injuries.