Fun things to enjoy in January: from indoor games to traditional New Year’s pastimes
January, when we welcome the New Year, is the perfect time to enjoy activities that are a little different from the everyday! From traditional New Year’s games like karuta, fukuwarai, and spinning tops to easy, casual fun like charades and plastic-bottle bowling, why not try some seasonal games this time of year? In this article, we’re sharing plenty of ideas for January activities that will put smiles on the faces of family and friends.
Whether it’s games that get you moving indoors despite the cold or ones you can enjoy while connecting with older adults, discover the charm of each activity and make wonderful memories to start the new year.
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Fun activities to enjoy in January: From indoor games to traditional New Year’s pastimes (41–50)
Mochitsuki, pettan!
Mochitsuki Pettan is a type of hand play.
If you’ve tried making mochi before, it should be easy to imagine.
Two people play by taking the roles of the mallet and the mortar.
Just like real mochi pounding, it goes well if you coordinate your timing and keep a steady rhythm.
Musical chairs
Musical chairs is a great recommendation for recreation time in kindergarten and elementary school—a timeless classic.
While the music is playing, the children walk around the chairs; when it stops, they sit.
Quick reflexes and concentration are key.
It’s a game that’s always exciting, no matter the era.
Othello
It’s not widely known, but it’s actually a tabletop game born in Japan.
The rules are simple: if you sandwich your opponent’s piece between your own pieces, you can flip it to your color.
But once you start thinking about where to place pieces and when to place them, you’ll be surprised by how deep the strategy goes.
rubber band gun
Some of you may have made one when you were children.
You can make it with just wooden chopsticks and rubber bands.
It also sounds fun to set up a target and compete for points.
Try customizing the way you build it to create a one-of-a-kind rubber band gun.
Donjara
When you think of a casual version of mahjong, it’s probably easy to imagine: you match the same patterns to aim for scoring hands.
If you do well, you earn points, and the person with the highest score at the end wins.
It’s a tabletop game meant to be enjoyed together, gathered around a kotatsu.
Drop the Handkerchief
Many of you probably played this when you were kids, right? Everyone sits in a circle facing inward and chooses one person to be “it.” The person who is “it” carries a handkerchief and walks around the outside of the circle, then secretly drops the handkerchief behind someone.
Once they drop it, “it” runs away, and the person who was dropped on chases them.
If “it” makes it all the way around and sits in the empty spot, they win; if they’re caught by the person who was dropped on, they lose.
Fruits Basket
It’s a classic indoor activity for large groups.
Each person is assigned a fruit, and anyone whose fruit is called has to quickly move to a different seat.
It’s a variation of musical chairs and is especially recommended for elementary school kids.