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[For Middle Schoolers] Let's Have Fun Together! A Collection of Bus Recreation Ideas
There are times when you’ll be riding a bus for a long time, like on field trips or school excursions.
It’s exciting to be in a different atmosphere from your usual classes and to chat lively with everyone—that’s great too.
But since it’s a special occasion, why not take the opportunity to get everyone pumped up and strengthen your team spirit?
In this article, we’re introducing bus recreation ideas recommended for junior high school students!
We’ve picked out lots of ideas that large groups can enjoy without having to move around.
Use this as a reference and have a great time!
[For Junior High Students] Let’s Get Everyone Excited! A Collection of Bus Recreation Ideas (1–10)
One-in-a-hundred survey
Do you know the “1 out of 100 Survey,” a popular segment from the variety show Waratte Iitomo? It’s a game where you ask a question that seems likely to apply to only 1 out of 100 people, and you clear the challenge if exactly one person actually fits.
That said, gathering 100 people can be tough.
In that case, you can still enjoy it by reducing the number to, say, 10 people.
It’s also fine to play with a larger group, like 200 people.
Feel free to adapt it flexibly to suit your situation.
Don’t Overlap Game
I also recommend the “Don’t Overlap!” game, which requires teamwork.
In this game, multiple people answer a single prompt, and if any answers overlap, you fail.
For example, if the prompt is “Characters from the Sazae-san family,” you’d fail if multiple people answer “Katsuo.” On the other hand, if everyone gives different names like “Katsuo,” “Sazae,” and “Wakame,” you succeed.
Just make sure your answers still fit the prompt—keep that in mind as you play.
Intro Quiz
An intro quiz—combining the two elements of “music” and “quiz”—is a guaranteed hit for a bus activity! Just when everyone starts getting bored of the long ride, play the latest trending hits, anime songs, or Vocaloid tracks that everyone knows, and it’ll snap those daydreamy, bus-lulled minds right back to attention.
The quickest way is to use intro-quiz videos from YouTube, but since many schools don’t allow smartphone use during trips or classes, it’s best to prepare the tracks in advance on a CD or USB.
Crank up some upbeat tunes, raise the energy, and make the journey just as fun as the destination.
Personality test
A psychological test involves answering questions, and the choices you make reveal your true feelings.
How about incorporating this into a bus activity? Prepare a few questions and have everyone choose their answers at the same time.
Afterwards, announce, “Those who chose this answer are…” and reveal what true feelings that choice is said to indicate! People might be surprised by unexpected sides of themselves being identified, which will make things even more exciting.
Just be sure to choose psychological tests that won’t make anyone feel uncomfortable!
Kōhaku Uta Gassen (NHK New Year’s Eve “Red and White Song Battle”)
Let’s hold a “Kohaku Uta Gassen” during the bus recreation time! It’s a classic year-end TV program, so I think everyone knows it.
If you have karaoke equipment with a scoring function, you can use that; or you can appoint judges to rate the performances and compete based on the total points.
If there are only a few participants, do it as an individual competition; if there are many, make it a team contest.
It’ll be even more exciting if you create multiple scoring categories—not just singing skill but also performance and more—so even those who aren’t confident in their singing can join in.
Who am I?
Here’s an idea for a lively “Who am I?” game that everyone can enjoy.
First, choose one player to be the guesser.
Next, the questioner decides what to pretend to be.
The guesser then asks the questioner a series of questions to figure out what they’re pretending to be.
You can choose a historical figure or a fictional character, or even a food or a vehicle.
I hope everyone will work together and enjoy the process of gradually getting closer to the right answer.
Also, the questioner should try to give hints at a reasonable pace.
Restricted Shiritori
An idea for a guaranteed heated game: restricted shiritori.
The basic rules are the same as usual.
However, there’s an added rule that imposes a restriction related to any word once it’s been used.
For example, if one person answers “suika” (watermelon), the other players decide a restriction related to watermelon.
Possible restrictions could be “foods with seeds,” “symbols of summer,” or even “three-letter foods,” and so on.
I hope you’ll enjoy not only the game but also deciding what kinds of restrictions to set.
Photo guessing quiz
How about having everyone bring a childhood photo and enjoying a photo-matching quiz? Some people probably haven’t changed much, while others might look completely different from when they were little.
If childhood photos feel a bit embarrassing, baby photos are fine too.
It makes the game harder, but maybe even more fun.
You could also create multiple-choice options.
If you can match someone from their baby photo, that’s impressive! Try guessing from the eyes or the feel of their smile.
Magical Banana
It’s a game where, to the rhythm, each person links a word that they associate with the word given by the previous player.
The game originally came from the variety show “Magical Brain Power!!” which aired from 1990 to 1999, and later spread as a party-game staple.
It tests not only your vocabulary, but also your ability to think creatively by connecting words to actions or to other words.
If you feel it might start dragging on, it’s recommended to pick up the tempo and shift the flow to one that demands quick reflexes.
Time Bomb Game
How about trying a nerve‑racking, heart‑pounding time-bomb game? This game uses an item where a balloon pops when the time is up.
Players take turns answering prompts and pass the “bomb” along as they go.
The player holding the bomb when it explodes loses.
If you want something a bit easier to try, you can use an app that replicates the toy.
Either way, enjoy the thrill of not knowing when it will blow!