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!
- Games and activities everyone can enjoy together. A collection of fun play ideas.
- Elementary School Fun Day a Big Hit! Indoor Game Idea Collection
- Fun Indoor Games for Elementary School Kids Without Any Equipment
- A simple and fun co-op game that enhances teamwork
Rock-paper-scissors-type games (11–20)
Body, look that way—hoi!
Speaking of “Acchi Muite Hoi,” it’s a game where you predict the direction your opponent will face with your finger, and the person being pointed at turns only their face in any direction they like.
How about trying a full-body version of Acchi Muite Hoi that you can enjoy even while seated? First, play rock-paper-scissors; the winner points in a direction with their finger.
The loser moves their whole body toward the left or right if they want to face sideways, jumps if they want to face up, and crouches if they want to face down.
Keep repeating Acchi Muite Hoi like this.
Since it uses the whole body, you can get a good workout even indoors.
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!
Territory-Janken
Let’s move our bodies and play! Here’s an idea for a territory-taking rock-paper-scissors game.
Two players face off; if you win, take three steps forward, and if it’s a tie, both take one step, racing toward the goal.
It’s fun to see each person get creative—taking big strides or making big jumps to move ahead! You can also customize the rock-paper-scissors itself, like using your whole body for “body rock-paper-scissors” or using your feet for “foot rock-paper-scissors.” It’s a great way to have fun while inventing ideas together with the kids.
Rock-paper-scissors tail tag
A game that combines two popular activities! Here’s an idea for “Rock-Paper-Scissors Tail Tag.” First, set up home bases, then go about 20 meters away and play rock-paper-scissors.
The winner runs back to their base, while the loser tries to grab the winner’s tail before they reach it.
Once you get used to playing one-on-one, switching to team battles will really amp up the excitement.
Another fun aspect is making strategies with friends or teachers and thinking about how to win as you play.
Give it a try and add it to your activities!
Gyoza Rock-Paper-Scissors
Let’s each throw out something different with rock-paper-scissors! Here’s an idea for “Gyoza Janken.” In this game, rock is meat, scissors are chives, and paper is the wrapper.
At the call, “Let’s make gyoza!” everyone shows rock, scissors, or paper.
If all three are different, the gyoza is complete—say “Itadakimasu!” with energy.
If everyone shows the same thing, shout “We can’t make any ◯◯!” If only two types are shown, shout “We’re missing ◯◯!” It’s a unique game for groups of three!
Rock-Paper-Scissors Wheelbarrow
@mimasakadaigaku A must-see for elementary school teachers! Build bodies while having fun with the “Rock-Paper-Scissors Wheelbarrow” activity! Mimasaka University – Elementary School Teacher – Fun Exercise
♬ Lilac – Mrs. GREEN APPLE
This is a game where pairs form a wheelbarrow (one person holds the other’s legs) and challenge other pairs to rock-paper-scissors; depending on the result, the roles switch.
After each round of rock-paper-scissors, the previous pairs break up.
The winning pair both take the easier role of holding the legs, while the losing pair has to do the tougher role of moving on their hands.
If you keep managing to team up with someone good at rock-paper-scissors, you might make it to the end without suffering, so let’s also see who has the luck of the draw.
It’s a game that lets you enjoy the strategy of the contest while having fun and getting a good workout.
Rock-Paper-Scissors Dash
It’s a game that tests how quickly you can react: you look at the result of rock-paper-scissors and immediately switch to the role that matches the outcome.
The winner becomes the attacker and chases, while the loser takes the defender role and runs away to avoid being caught—both roles must be decided in an instant.
Even if you’re a fast runner, you might lose at rock-paper-scissors, so it seems that balancing different strengths is important.
It’s also a good idea to experiment by making small adjustments, like adopting a stance during rock-paper-scissors that makes it easier to break into a run.
Rock-Paper-Scissors Balance Challenge
It’s a game where, depending on the rock-paper-scissors result, each player balances in a specific way, aiming to become more stable than the opponent.
If you win rock-paper-scissors, the basic posture is standing on one leg for 5 seconds.
If you lose, you spin 3 times before taking the one-legged stance, and if it’s a tie, you spin 2 times before the stance.
If you can maintain the one-legged stance, you proceed to the next round of rock-paper-scissors.
The more you lose in a row, the harder it becomes to keep your balance.
A fun twist is that even if you don’t win the rock-paper-scissors, you might still win overall if your sense of balance is good.
Aiko, then go!
Let’s enjoy a reflex-based game! Here’s an idea for Aikode-Don.
This is a one-on-one game where you face each other and start in a seiza (kneeling) position.
With rock-paper-scissors, people usually focus on winning or losing, but in this game the key moment is when it’s a tie! The instant you both throw the same hand (a tie), try to stand up faster than your opponent! Once you get used to the game, try changing the sitting style to gym sit (hugging knees) or long sit with legs extended.
You can also increase the difficulty by adding a rule that you must stand up without using your hands!
Rock-Paper-Scissors: Bonk and Cover
A game where the winner of rock-paper-scissors hits the loser with a toy hammer, and the loser tries to defend themselves by quickly putting on a helmet to avoid being hit.
It’s the one where you get flustered and end up grabbing the hammer even though you lost.
