Lovely Play & Recreation

Recommended Indoor Activities and Recreation Games for July

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

July is a time when heatstroke is a concern, so it’s not ideal to spend long hours outside.

So, here we’ll introduce activities you can enjoy indoors! We’ve gathered games and activities that people of all ages can enjoy.

From drawing and board games to crafts, there are plenty of ways to have fun inside.

There are lots of recreational activities that both kids and adults will love.

Spend a fun time with your family and friends.

Be sure to give them a try and make cool, refreshing memories in a comfortable place!

Recommended Indoor Activities and Recreation Games for July (41–50)

[Fingerplay] Natto

Natto (hand play)

[Fingerplay] Natto

A lot of kids like natto, don’t they? There might be many moms who are troubled because their children beg for it at every meal.

Since July 10 is Natto Day, if you’re looking for a hand-play song for July, how about this song “Nattō”? You can play by swirling your hands to mix the natto and moving both hands as if pulling sticky strings—fun even for little ones.

Maybe even kids who don’t like natto will enjoy it with this hand-play song.

The lyrics mention various types of natto, so it could be fun to look for them when you go to the supermarket.

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Recommended Indoor Activities and Recreation Games for July (51–60)

Cleaning battle with uchiwa fans

Vol.13 “Cleaning Showdown with Paper Cups and Uchiwa Fans” — 3-Minute Guide: At-Home Play Series

Cleaning battle with uchiwa fans

A “Uchiwa Cleaning Showdown” that people of all ages—from kids to adults—can enjoy.

Divide the table down the middle and set lots of paper cups upside down.

Fan with a uchiwa (hand fan) to move the paper cups into your opponent’s side; whoever moves more cups wins! It’s a game that gets exciting whether played 1-on-1 or 2-on-2.

Perfect for summer vacation at home or summer activities at senior facilities.

Don’t lift the uchiwa—lifting is not allowed.

The trick is to flap it as if tapping the table to push the cups along.

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Haunted house

Haunted House: Nankei Branch School (Revised Edition)

Haunted house

If you want to add a surprise to your indoor activities, I recommend a haunted house.

July 13 is also known as Occult Day.

It’s the perfect event to cool down the hot summer, and both adults and children can enjoy it together.

Set up various gimmicks and wear special-effects makeup or horror-themed fashion.

Once you’re ready, welcome guests into a completely dark room.

Even a familiar room becomes mysterious when it’s dark.

It’s an ideal indoor activity for making memories with family, friends, or a partner.

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Let’s make Tanabata jelly

[Senior Recreation] Rec Craftsman Series Part 62: Tanabata Jelly [Snack Rec/Tanabata/Night Sky/Calpis Jelly]

Let's make Tanabata jelly

Tanabata is the festival when Orihime and Hikoboshi meet once a year.

While gazing up at such a starry sky, let’s make and enjoy Tanabata jelly.

Tint it blue with shaved ice syrup.

You can heighten the mood by cutting the jelly into star shapes and arranging canned mandarin oranges to look like a crescent moon.

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Indoor watermelon splitting

Wearing jinbei and doing indoor watermelon splitting with Kohatai-san 😜❤️ Who’s going to smash it⁉️ [Kokoroman’s everyday life]

Indoor watermelon splitting

When you think of suikawari, you probably picture doing it on the beach, but as long as you have enough space, you can enjoy it indoors too! Lay a plastic sheet or something similar on the floor and place a whole watermelon on it.

The person who will break the watermelon wears a blindfold, moves according to the guidance of the others, and tries to smash the watermelon with a stick.

Watermelons are tougher than you might expect, so don’t be afraid to swing hard when you strike.

If you can’t get a real watermelon or don’t want to make a mess, you can use a beach ball with a watermelon pattern and pretend it’s the real thing.

You’ll still get the full festive vibe!

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A yo-yo made from a milk carton

Milk Carton Yo-Yo

A yo-yo made from a milk carton

At a summer festival, try a fun yo-yo fishing game using milk cartons.

Just punch holes in the cartons and thread linked rubber bands through them.

If you use a pair of chopsticks as a fishing rod, you can enjoy it with items you already have at home.

It’s also great that people of a wide range of ages can take part.

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origami wind chime

Make your room feel cool with an origami summer classic: the wind chime — includes folding instructions

origami wind chime

A classic symbol of summer, wind chimes bring a pleasantly cool sound.

Try making your own easily with origami paper and a small bell.

Using cool-toned colors like blue or traditional washi paper enhances the summery, charming feel.

Hang it by the window and enjoy a refreshing sound throughout the summer.

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In conclusion

We introduced recommended indoor activities and recreational games for July.

Did you find any you liked? Even when the weather is nice, water play is ideal if you’re worried about heatstroke—but doing it every day can get boring, right? In those times, use this list and have fun.

Let’s enjoy summer even indoors!