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!
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Balloon and Ball Play (1–10)
Balloon lifting
Try a juggling challenge using balloons that gently float up into the air—it’s an easy game to attempt even for people who find it difficult with a soccer ball.
Since the airtime is different from a soccer ball, those who are used to the latter might actually find this more difficult.
If you kick with too much force, the trajectory becomes erratic, so controlling your power may be important for getting in more repetitions.
We recommend adding various rules—like seeing how many touches you can do with a specified kicking style—as you play the game.
Balloon beanbag toss
Let’s try a beanbag-toss style game using balloons, where you aim to get them into a basket placed up high.
Participants each hold a uchiwa fan and swat the balloons to send them flying into the basket.
Since balloons get blown around by the wind, play indoors.
Also, it’s better if the basket isn’t too high.
If you don’t have a traditional basket for the game, you can put a stand on a table and place a basket on top.
Balloons don’t fly straight, and it’s hard to aim where they’ll land—but that’s part of the fun! Give it a try with everyone.
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.
Bomb Game
The Bomb Game is played by sitting in a circle and passing around a balloon while answering prompts.
For example, if the prompt is “animal names,” players would answer with lion, elephant, rabbit, and so on.
The game has a time limit, and when time is up, the balloon “explodes,” and the person holding it loses.
Don’t worry, though—the balloon doesn’t actually explode.
You might feel pressured to pass it quickly, but be careful: if someone gives the same answer as someone else, the balloon will “explode” as well.
Balloon target shooting
In the balloon target game, you hang balloons with strings on a wall as targets and play by throwing balls at them.
You can use store-bought balls, or you can make one by crumpling newspaper and securing it with tape.
Young children will have fun just throwing the ball, but if you want to increase the difficulty, try changing the size of the balloons.
You can also write numbers on the target balloons and award points based on the numbers hit, turning it into a points competition with others.
Be careful not to hit people around you with the ball while playing.
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.
Balloon and ball play (11–20)
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.