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 (141–150)
Paper Cup Relay
It’s a game where you pull out the bottom paper cup so it drops without toppling the stacked cups, then pass it on to the next person.
You have to judge how to move it to avoid knocking the cups over, which really tests each person’s control of strength and speed.
The relay format—passing it to the next person—is also key, because the pressure of someone waiting makes control even harder.
Precisely because it’s a simple action of pulling the cup out to the left or right, it’s a game that people of all ages can enjoy together.
Drawing Telephone Game
The goal of the telephone game is to make sure the original prompt is accurately passed along to the last person, which really tests everyone’s communication skills.
This version makes it even harder by adding a drawing element, turning it into a game where each person’s artistic ability also matters.
The first person draws a picture based on the prompt, the next person interprets the prompt from that picture and then conveys it to the following person through another drawing, and so on.
Even if the message doesn’t make it to the end intact, you can still have fun figuring out where it drifted from the original prompt.
Let’s check everyone’s artistic sense and communication skills.
playing rock-paper-scissors after seeing the opponent’s move (i.e., acting with hindsight/cheating)
Rock-paper-scissors is deeply ingrained in everyday life as a quick way to decide an order or settle something.
Precisely because the game is so instinctive, this challenge is tricky: it’s a game where you must instantly choose a late move that results in the specified outcome.
Since we’re conditioned to unconsciously throw a winning hand, producing a losing hand or a tie really tests your concentration and judgment.
Switching the required outcome on the fly or increasing the speed at which you must play ramps up the difficulty and makes the game even more engaging—highly recommended.
Pyramid Rock-Paper-Scissors
Perfect for class or grade-level activities! Here’s a fun idea for Pyramid Rock-Paper-Scissors.
Rock-Paper-Scissors is a simple, classic game that always gets everyone excited, and with a few tweaks, it becomes even more engaging for kids! After splitting into Defense and Offense teams, the Defense team stands on the lines drawn in a pyramid shape.
The Offense team aims to defeat the King by playing rock-paper-scissors against the Defense team and advancing with each win.
A key rule for the Offense team: if you lose a round, you must return to the starting point!
Ball-carrying game
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Let’s have fun by combining items you already have at home! Here are some ideas for a ball-carrying game.
Through play, kids can learn the importance—and the challenge—of working together to reach a goal.
The rules are simple: two people hold a towel together to carry a ball and place it into a basket or bag.
It’s great for building concentration and balance.
It’s easy to do indoors, so you can enjoy it with your child or friends and feel a sense of accomplishment together.
Once you get used to it, try customizing the course!
Mark-finding game
The “Mark Hunt Game,” where you walk along specified marks like circles, triangles, and squares, is an indoor activity recommended for children aged five and up.
First, tape several sheets of paper with different marks drawn on them to the floor to make a path.
Also prepare one sheet for each type of mark at the goal.
The children start while holding a ball.
It’s best to play barefoot so they don’t slip.
At the end, count how many balls were correctly placed at the goal for each team.
Competing by team and counting out loud together makes it really exciting!
Find the Snacks! Treasure Hunt Game
Work together with your friends to crack the codes! Hunt for snacks! Here are some treasure-hunt game ideas.
They’re perfect for building teamwork and reasoning skills! It’s thrilling to pool your wits to solve the ciphers and finally discover the treats.
Even in heart-pounding moments, you’ll learn to calmly interpret clues, and by collaborating toward a shared goal, you’ll naturally develop coordination and communication skills in group activities.
With clever cipher design, the fun of puzzle-solving doubles!