A collection of simple indoor recreational games
Looking for team-based games that can get everyone excited indoors? Indoor recreational activities that use open spaces and simple tools actually hide a lot of charm.
From easy games using familiar items like balloons and plastic bottles to idea-driven challenges that make the most of teamwork, we’ll introduce a variety of fun options.
Why not discover new ways to play with your friends and family? Welcome to the world of indoor recreation, where everyone can smile!
- [Simple Games] Recommended Indoor Recreational Activities for Adults
- [Play Right Away!] Exciting Recreation Games Recommended for Elementary School Students
- [Elementary School] Quick and Easy! Indoor Recreational Activities Perfect for Lower Grades
- Recommended for upper elementary grades! Exciting indoor recreation and games
- Get the Fun Going! Easy Classroom Games You Can Play at School: Recreational Activities for the Whole Class
- [Children’s Club] Easy and fun indoor games. Exciting party games
- Team-based recreational activities for adults that are fun even with large groups
- [Part 2] Recommended Indoor Activities and Recreation Games for December
- Games you can play with just conversation. Classic and popular activities you can enjoy without any props!
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- Elementary School Fun Day a Big Hit! Indoor Game Idea Collection
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- A simple and fun co-op game that enhances teamwork
Balloon and Ball Play (1–10)
Balloon release
Use tape to mark a frame on the floor and place inflated balloons inside it.
Give each participant beanbags, and at the start signal, have them aim at the balloons.
It’s a success if they can knock all the balloons out of the frame! This game can be played while seated, so it’s recommended for older adults.
Also, beanbags don’t bounce or fly off like balls, making it easy to gather them after throwing.
You can compete for the fastest time to clear all the balloons, or have two people play simultaneously and see who can knock out more balloons.
Strikeout
Struck Out is a game where you throw a ball at a board with numbers on it.
When the section of the board you hit pops out, you earn the number of points written there.
The most common type uses a 3×3 grid of nine targets, and you often see celebrities try it on TV shows! You might think you need a special board to play, but you can easily make one yourself using cardboard or wooden boards.
Even if you don’t make a version where the numbers pop out, you can play endlessly by simply awarding points whenever the ball hits a numbered section.
Balloon and ball play (11–20)
Balloon Trampoline
Only two materials! Here’s an idea for a balloon trampoline.
The bouncy, springy feeling of a trampoline excites both kids and adults, doesn’t it? This time, let’s play with a DIY trampoline.
All you need is a large vacuum/compression storage bag and balloons.
Inflate the balloons and pack them into the storage bag.
Seal the bag, compress it, and you’re done! A balloon-made trampoline is colorful and sure to capture kids’ attention!
Drive out the UFO!
It’s a game where a big balloon stands in for a UFO, and you throw balls at it while being careful not to touch it.
The closer you get before throwing, the easier it is to land a hit, but you’ll also be more likely to touch the UFO, so you need to judge your distance carefully.
Another key point is that when someone else’s ball hits the balloon, its movement can become more erratic, making ball control even more important.
If you increase the number of UFO balloons, reading their movements gets more complex, which is also a fun option.
Guess the letters written on the balloon
Participants form a circle, and one representative stands in the center.
Prepare balloons with hiragana written on them and toss them around.
Work together to keep the balloons from falling while simultaneously guessing the characters written on them.
If there are only a few participants, you can skip having someone stand in the center.
The characters on the balloons can be random hiragana, or you can choose ones that form words when combined.
Reading the characters while keeping the balloons in the air is quite challenging, but it’s a lot of fun—give it a try!
Balloon Soccer
Great for first-time soccer players! Here are some balloon soccer ideas.
Many parents may want to enjoy soccer together with their children.
This is a recommended idea when you’re unsure where to start playing soccer.
All you need is a balloon.
First, use the balloon as a stand-in for a ball and get used to the rules.
It’s good to help kids get a feel for body movement and eye coordination through activities like juggling with the thighs or toes and heading with the head.
Balloon Tennis
Kids’ smiles bursting with joy! Here are some balloon tennis ideas.
Tennis is usually played with a racket and a tennis ball, right? In the video, they’re using rackets with Anpanman illustrations.
Using larger-than-normal balloons might make it easier to hit with the racket.
Since balloons can easily be carried away by the wind, if you play balloon tennis outdoors, it’s best to choose a spacious area and a day with little wind.
It’s also a fun idea for indoor play.
Towel ball toss
Games that use a ball and can be played while seated—and that are fun for everyone from kids to adults—can be hard to come by, but this towel-based ball toss is perfect! Pair up and sit facing each other.
Each person holds one end of a towel so it’s stretched tight.
Place a ball on the towel, loosen the tension slightly, then pull it taut again to launch the ball with momentum.
Send it to the person next to you, who catches it and passes it on to the next, and so on.
If someone drops it, start over—add rules like penalties or forfeits to make it even more fun!
Ball-catching game
Here’s a game called “Ball Grab” that can strengthen concentration and decision-making.
First, two people stand facing each other with a ball placed between them.
It’s a simple game where the person who grabs the ball first when the caller says “Ball” wins.
The caller also says other words like “head,” “shoulders,” or “butt,” and the players must touch that body part accordingly while waiting.
Because you have to listen carefully, react, and move your body, it also helps build quick reflexes.
It’s a game you can enjoy even in a small space, so give it a try!
small-ball rolling
Let me introduce the “Small Ball Rolling Game” using an umbrella and a ball.
Roll the ball with the umbrella, go around the cones, and come back to the goal.
When circling the cones, it may go more smoothly if you slow down and control your speed.
Next, change the cones to a straight line and aim for the goal by rolling the ball with the umbrella in a zigzag.
If the ball drifts off in a different direction while you’re moving it, correct it and restart from that spot.
You can also use other safe items instead of an umbrella to roll the ball.
Changing the size of the ball may make it easier to roll.
