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 (131–140)
Newspaper race
@kazenomori.piconursery You can move your body and have fun even indoors!#Nursery schoolA day at the nurseryNursery teacher / Childcare workerChildcareChildcarenewspaper (newsprint)#Indoor Play#Pico Nursery
♬ Athletic Meet “Heaven and Hell” (No Introduction) – Shinonome
Move your body while sitting? A brand-new kind of footrace! Here’s an idea for a newspaper footrace.
A footrace normally means a short-distance race where you run as fast as you can.
Usually, it’s done by running from a set starting point to a finish line, but this time, let’s try a unique version where you compete while seated: the newspaper footrace.
Once you’ve taped sheets of newspaper together into a long strip, you’re ready.
Spread the newspaper out long from underneath the chair, and using only the strength of your legs, pull the newspaper back under the chair.
It’s trickier than you might think, so give it a try!
What’s in the box? game

Use your sense of touch and your friends’ reactions to guess the answer! What’s in the box? Here’s a game idea for you.
It’s a unique idea that you can play with excitement and suspense.
Cut a hand-sized hole in a cardboard box and try to guess what’s inside using only your sense of touch! The key is to keep your eyes open but not peek into the box.
Set a time limit to make it even more exciting—guaranteed fun! Give it a try!
[Tag] Keep holding hands and try to escape!
![[Tag] Keep holding hands and try to escape!](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Lt6t2ibEGj0/sddefault.jpg)
This is a variation of tag that tests teamwork and cooperation: everyone runs away from the tagger while holding hands.
The runners must keep holding hands as they flee, and the tagger chases them to make them let go.
For safety—since forcing hands apart could cause injuries—it’s recommended to use a foam rod or similar; if it touches a player’s hand, they have to let go.
It’s also a fun challenge because coordinating to run in the same direction without getting caught can be surprisingly difficult, which really livens up the game.
Quick Towel Grab Showdown

This is a towel grab race to see who can pick up a towel from the floor the fastest.
First, spread a bath towel on the floor, and have the participants stand with their backs to the towel.
It’s recommended to play one-on-one, but depending on the towel’s size, you might be able to play with about four people.
When the person acting as the caller gives the signal, everyone, still facing away, quickly feels around and grabs the towel from the floor.
Until the signal, keep your hands on top of your head.
The person who grabs the towel the fastest wins.
It’s easy to set up, so give it a try!
Rin-rin hammer made from scrap materials

Let’s try playing with a jingling hammer made from scrap materials.
Although its shape is completely different from a hammer throw implement, it would be great if guardians could explain the rules and key points of hammer throw to children.
When throwing, make sure to create a safe environment where it won’t hit furniture or people before giving it a try.
A gymnasium or an open field would allow you to practice with peace of mind.
Another advantage is that it makes a jingling sound when thrown, making it easy to tell where it landed.
Be sure to give it a try!
Rhythm 4

This is a game that tests your ability to listen to instructions and make decisions by calling out your own name in time with a 4-beat rhythm.
You advance through the four counts using actions like tapping the desk or clapping, so the overlap of sound and movement adds to the fun.
You need to listen carefully to which person the previous player called and on which number, then decide and act accordingly.
By adding variations—such as changing the actions for each number or introducing instructions that aren’t just names and numbers—you can enjoy the game at a higher difficulty level, which is recommended for those who’ve gotten the hang of it.
Teleportation Game

It’s a game that tests each player’s quick reflexes as they swiftly move to the next spot to keep a newspaper stick from falling.
You stand the stick up, move to the adjacent stick, grab it before it falls to support it, and anyone who lets a stick fall is eliminated.
The difficulty of supporting the stick changes depending on the moving distance and how the sticks are set up, so by adjusting those factors, a wider range of ages can enjoy the game.
It could also be exciting to try a challenge mode where players test their limits to see how far they can go without letting the stick fall.



