Indoor recreation for children: A roundup of exciting games

balloon volleyball

Balloon art fun with balloons! How to play balloon volleyball that even beginners can enjoy easily♪

Let’s have fun moving our bodies! Here are some ideas for balloon volleyball.

Volleyball is a sport where two teams face off across a net, hitting the ball back and forth to score points.

This time, all you need is a single balloon.

You can even find them at 100-yen shops these days, so it’s easy to prepare.

The way to play is simple: two or more people face each other and tap the balloon with their hands to keep a rally going.

Once you get used to it, try counting out loud or playing a word-chain game (shiritori) while you rally.

high-jump-style rubber jumping

🧡 [Parent-Child Play / Improving Motor Skills] Nostalgic Showa-Era 'Rubber Band Jump Challenge' — Lots of ways to jump ✌️

Let’s get into classic Showa-era games! Here’s an idea for rubber jumping, similar to high jump.

Rubber jumping is the game where you hook a rubber band around your legs, stretch it, and jump over it alternately.

It seems to have been popular mainly among girls during the Showa period.

What you need is flat elastic.

Start with the height at your ankles.

As you get used to it, raise it to your calves, knees, thighs, and then your waist.

If you practice every day, your athletic ability will improve, and you’ll likely be able to clear higher levels over time.

Newspaper Rock-Paper-Scissors

You can do it with just newspapers! Newspaper Island Game [Indoor play that childcare workers should know!]

How about trying a fun twist on rock-paper-scissors by playing Newspaper Rock-Paper-Scissors? Prepare one sheet of newspaper per person, spread it out, and stand on it.

Play rock-paper-scissors; the winner stays as they are, while the loser folds their newspaper in half and stands on it again.

As you keep playing, the losers’ newspaper area keeps shrinking.

Even if it gets small, you’re safe as long as you can still stand on it—even on one foot or just your toes.

But if you lose your balance or step off the newspaper, you’re out.

Who will be the last one standing?

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utatane

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Plastic Bottle Bowling

On hot days, indoor play is the way to go☆ Plastic Bottle Bowling

Here’s a popular indoor activity: plastic bottle bowling.

Prepare 10 empty plastic bottles and add a small amount of water to each to stabilize them.

Wrap construction paper around the bottles to decorate them.

Once ready, line up the bottles and get a safe rubber ball.

Let the children roll the ball and enjoy plastic bottle bowling.

Count how many bottles fall to determine the winner.

Adjust the rolling distance based on the children’s age by making it longer or shorter.

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mayumi

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Crawling tail tag

[Age 3] Crawling Tail Tag & Clothespin Relay

Here’s a crawling tail-tag game everyone can enjoy.

The runners attach a “tail” to their backside and crawl to escape.

The tagger chases by crawling and tries to grab the tail.

If your tail is taken, do five jumps on the spot to revive and rejoin the game.

Adjust the play area size based on the number of players.

If it’s too large, it can be hard to catch anyone since everyone is crawling.

Choose a moderate space and have fun.

Setting a time limit for each round is recommended.

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mayumi

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Came Alone Game

@mimasakadaigaku

I came alone game! It’s guaranteed to get everyone hyped, so give it a try! If you watch the video, I think you’ll understand the rules!#Mimasaka UniversityIcebreakerRecreation

Heaven and Hell – Offenbach

Recommended games that are fun even with large groups! Here are ideas for the “I came alone” game.

These are large-group ideas you can play in class recreation, too.

Once everyone sits in a circle so you can see all the participants, you’re ready to start! The first person raises a hand and says, “I came alone!” Then the next two people raise their hands and say, “We came as two!” Next, three people, then four, and so on; after reaching five, it goes back to one.

Once you get used to it, it’s also fun to arrange it as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1!

Hiragana Collecting Game

@cocoskip

Hello! This is Cocoskip. In today’s video, we’re doing a Hiragana Collection Challenge. How many words that fit the theme can we gather? 🧐#cocoskipSkip hereChild Development SupportAfter-school day service#Child Development Support (Japan)#After-school day serviceExercise Therapy#Indoor Play#CocoSkipChallengesimulationPlayHiragana PlayI love the admins.#IWantToBeOnTheRecommendations

♬ Comical lively cute sports day – SOUND BANK

Let’s play with 50-sound (hiragana) cards! Here are some ideas for a hiragana-collecting game.

Once you’ve prepared cards or slips of paper with one hiragana character on each, you’re ready to go! Within a time limit, try to make as many words as you can that fit a given theme.

For example, if the theme is “animals,” you can combine characters to form words like い・ぬ (dog) or き・り・ん (giraffe).

It’s helpful to set aside space to place completed words, so it’s easy for kids to understand.