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!”
- 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
- [For Kids] Indoor Fun! Large-Group Recreational Activities 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 (71–80)
Towel-Grabbing Game
It’s a simple, easy game where two people lightly hold each end of a towel, then pull hard on a signal; the one who manages to take the towel wins.
Children up to around preschool age should enjoy it, and it may also help improve their quick reaction skills!
Plastic Bag Carpet Race
This is a two-person game called “Plastic-Bag Carpet Race.” Prepare a plastic bag and place it on the floor; one person stands on it.
The other person crouches down and holds the edge of the bag.
On the cue “Ready, go!”, the standing person jumps slightly forward, and while they are in the air, the crouching person pulls and moves the plastic bag forward.
The jumper must land on the bag.
Progress little by little toward the goal.
If the jumper fails to land on the bag, you have to go back and start over from the starting line.
Number-guessing clap
An easy game you can play on the spot without any tools: “Number Guess Clap.” One person gives a number-related prompt, and everyone else answers by clapping that number of times.
It sounds simple, but if you miscount, fall out of rhythm, or can’t sync with others, you’re out.
Fewer claps make it easy, but as the number increases, keeping the rhythm gets surprisingly tricky.
Still, that challenge makes it even more fun and exciting.
Daikon Game
Let me introduce a floor play called the “Daikon Game.” Children lie face down in a circle and hold hands with the person next to them.
An adult says, “I’m going to pull out the daikon,” then pulls one child’s legs, then another’s, and repeats.
The children grip each other’s hands tightly so they don’t get “pulled out.” It’s a very simple game, but kids love a little thrill and excitement, so it gets really lively!
cat’s cradle
Cat’s cradle is a very old game, and it exists not only in Japan but all over the world.
There are even organizations dedicated to collecting, preserving, and passing down cat’s cradle figures.
With just a single string, you can enjoy the game alone or with two people in many different ways.
It would be fun to try shapes you don’t know yet.
Once you get used to cat’s cradle, creating your own original designs also sounds enjoyable.
Musical chairs
The classic indoor recreation game, musical chairs.
It’s one of those simple games that even small children can enjoy.
At first, it’s a good idea to set up the same number of chairs as there are players, or even a few extra, so everyone can sit.
While the music is playing, everyone walks around the chairs arranged in a circle; when the music stops, they sit down.
Once everyone is used to that, try reducing the number of chairs to fewer than the number of players.
It’s the kind of game where winning feels oddly brag-worthy, isn’t it? (laugh)
Balance ball play
A balance ball that elementary school kids can enjoy playing with on their own.
It offers lots of benefits for the body.
By sitting on the soft, springy ball or making light little hops, kids naturally strengthen their core and back, improve posture, and even boost concentration.
For example, “Balance Ball Jumps” is a game where you sit on the ball and do gentle hops.
“Tummy-and-Back Roll” involves lying on your back or stomach on the ball and rolling forward and back; it gently works the abdominal and back muscles, so it’s recommended.
There are many other ways to play too, so get creative and have fun!
Ball games you can play alone
Here are five ball games you can play by yourself! First: kick the ball yourself, run, and pass it through your legs.
You’ll use your head, too, as you think about how hard to kick.
Second: toss the ball up and pass it through your arms—moving your body is the key.
Third: balance one ball on top of another and keep it still.
Fourth: hold the ball above your head, bend your body backward, pass it through your legs, and catch it—great for flexibility.
Finally, a game using a hula hoop: while the hoop is spinning, move the ball.
You don’t need to throw or kick hard to have fun with any of these, so give them a try!
G Dodgeball
“G-Dodgeball” is a hugely popular team-based game in after-school care.
By adding a new role—the “Goalie,” a target that must be protected—to regular dodgeball, the game gains strategy and tension.
Each team selects one Goalie from among the first- or second-graders, and if that child is hit, the game ends immediately.
The infield players act as “Guardians,” doing everything they can to protect the Goalie.
Meanwhile, the outfield has “Getters” waiting to throw the ball at the opposing Goalie.
Because there are defined roles, everyone can shine, and with age-appropriate tweaks, the game evolves into an activity that excites players across grade levels.
It’s a great example of how a few simple rule additions can make dodgeball so much more fun.
straw airplane
Popular in after-school care, the “straw airplane” is a fun craft that’s easy to make with a straw and construction paper—and it flies really well.
First, cut off the bendy part of the straw with scissors so it’s straight.
Next, cut two long, narrow strips from the construction paper, roll each into a ring, and tape them to the front and back of the straw.
Using a smaller ring in front and a larger ring in back makes it stable and helps it fly surprisingly far.
Kids are amazed at how it flies differently from a regular paper airplane! You can compete to see whose airplane flies the farthest, try different throwing techniques, and enjoy playing over and over.