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!”
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Indoor recreation for kids: A roundup of exciting games (21–30)
Ninja Play
It’s a game where children pretend to be ninjas and treat various activities as training.
Because it uses both body and mind, it’s a fun way to exercise even indoors.
There are many variations, such as taking ninja poses and walking quietly with sliding steps without making a sound, like “sneaking on tiptoe,” incorporating movements from the game “Red Light, Green Light,” and games that use shuriken, which kids love.
Children love role-playing, so this game is very popular.
Balloon release
Try a balloon-toss game using pool noodles without cutting them—use the full stick as is.
Each person holds one pool noodle and taps the balloon to keep it from falling.
It takes some practice to track the balloon with your eyes and tap it with the noodle you’re holding.
With repeated play, it will become more enjoyable.
Recommended age: 3 and up.
Since kids will move a lot and chase the balloon, make sure to secure a spacious area and play with a small group.
Ball arranging game
There are many games that use your body, but this one gives your brain a workout at the same time.
You play on a 3- or 4-square field, lining up balls of the same color vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, and you have to instantly decide where to place a ball to make a match.
It sounds like it’ll be a nail-biting, heart-pounding game.
A game about finding the correct moves
Act out the prompt’s movement and have others guess it.
For example, if the prompt is “forward roll,” the guesser should try various movements that come to mind.
The children around, who know the prompt, should react to each movement.
Decide in advance how to react when the movement is close to the prompt—for example, by cheering.
Using those reactions, the guesser narrows down the correct answer.
It’s also fun to have multiple guessers or to play team versus team.
You don’t need any materials, it’s a simple game, and it’s sure to get everyone excited.
Without Katakana
We use katakana for many names in daily life.
Katakana is familiar, but let’s try playing without using it.
First, show items that have katakana names and have people describe them without using katakana.
For example, for “pen,” someone might answer, “something you write with that isn’t a pencil.” It’s a game where you shift your thinking a bit, describe the given topic without using katakana, and have others guess.
If the topic is “game,” you could describe it as “something where you use your fingertips to control characters on the screen.” From there, everyone tries to guess the topic together.
Explaining with your current vocabulary makes for a good brain exercise.
Paper cup tower using clothespins
@bear_kids_official [Clothespins × Paper Cup Tower] Finger strength, sense of balance, concentration, and thinking skills. Even if it falls, kids build the ability to try again with “One more time!” Goals: • Improve finger strength and fine motor skills • Build concentration and perseverance • Develop trial-and-error skills (thinking and problem-solving)After-school day serviceChild Development Support#Indoor Play#ADHD# developmental support (ryōiku)#ASD
♬ Original Song – BEAR KIDS 🧸 Child Development Support & After-School Day Service – BEAR KIDS 🧸 Child Development Support & After-School Day Service
Develop fine motor control through play! Prepare paper cups and clothespins and try building a tall tower.
As children play, they’ll think for themselves and experiment with “How can I stack them without losing balance?” It’s an activity where you can watch them learn through trial and error.
At first, it’s great for focusing and working alone.
Once they get used to it, you may see them collaborating with friends to figure out and carry out ways to stack even higher.
Team matches or individual competitions could be fun, too!
Is your body clock accurate? Game
A body clock game where you guess the time using only your sense of time without looking at a clock.
Once the host sets a target time, everyone starts at the same moment.
Without looking at any clocks, participants close their eyes and raise their hand to alert the host when they think the target time has arrived.
The person closest to the set target time wins.
Once you get used to it, you can increase the target time to raise the difficulty or play music to make it even more exciting.
Give it a try with your friends!
King Janken
A King Rock-Paper-Scissors game everyone can get excited about.
The rules are simple: everyone plays rock-paper-scissors, and the child who keeps winning until the end becomes the first King.
If a participant loses to the King, they go to the back of the line.
If they beat the King, they switch places and become the new King.
The child who remains King at the end of the time limit is the winner.
The thrill of competition and cheering will further boost the atmosphere.
It’s also recommended to prepare a crown for the King to wear.
Human Othello
A game played inside a square court where players split into two teams and try to increase the number of teammates in their own color.
First, after dividing into teams, everyone can move freely around the court for 10 seconds.
At the leader’s signal to stop, everyone freezes in place and the game begins.
In a predetermined order, if you and a teammate of the same color can sandwich a player of the other color between you, you can flip them to your color.
You may move up to three steps when doing this.
If you successfully sandwich someone, shout “Othello!” Work together by calling out to teammates and deciding whom to sandwich.
You win by wiping out the opposing team or by having the greater number of players at the end.
Rock-Paper-Scissors Train
Janken Train is a game where the person who wins rock-paper-scissors becomes the leader, and the person who loses lines up behind them, forming a longer and longer train.
Music plays during the game, and when the music stops, you find a partner and play rock-paper-scissors.
You repeat this until everyone forms a single line.
The person at the very front of the train—in other words, the one who keeps winning—wins the game.
The line gets quite long toward the end, so please remember to walk slowly.