Fun activities for junior high school students. Recreation games.
Introducing recreational activities for middle schoolers to enjoy during breaks, after school, or in free periods! We’ve gathered games that get everyone excited with friends and group activities that strengthen class bonds.
From games that test your ability to read the room to ones that challenge memory and reaction speed, there are lots of genres to enjoy.
They can even be a great chance to get closer to your friends! All the activities have simple rules and can be started right away, so invite your classmates and give them a try!
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Wordplay & Shiritori Game Collection (1–10)
Hiragana Karaoke Showdown
“Hiragana Karaoke” is a game where the person who can quickly sing a song whose lyrics start with the specified Japanese syllable wins! For example, if the specified syllable is “a,” you sing a song whose lyrics begin with “a.” Any part of the lyrics is fine—whether it’s the verse or the chorus.
The basic way to play is to prepare slips of paper with one syllable of the gojūon on each and draw them one by one, but if you have three or more players, someone can simply call out a random syllable instead.
The key to winning is how many songs—and their lyrics—you know.
Build up a wide repertoire, from J-pop to children’s songs!
Ten Times Game
Many of you may know the “say-it-10-times game.” You say a word ten times, then you’re asked a quiz whose answer sounds similar to that word, and you end up saying the wrong answer even though it should be easy.
Sometimes the respondent gives an answer different from what the quizmaster intended… but that’s what makes it fun!
Myanmar Game
“Myanmar Game” is a game that became hugely popular in the early 2000s after being introduced on V6’s variety show “Gakkō e Ikō.” Players take turns saying the word “Myanmar,” increasing the number of times they say it by one each turn.
Anyone who hesitates, mispronounces it, or stumbles loses.
Repeating “Myanmar” makes your tongue twist, so just saying it out loud feels amusing.
It’s fun with both large and small groups.
Pudding GameNEW!
How about trying the “Pudding Game,” which kids from lower to upper grades can enjoy? It’s nice and simple—you only need an eraser.
First, pair up in twos.
Push your desks together and place the eraser in the middle.
Next, when someone says “yakisoba,” say “ya” and raise your right hand.
For “karaage,” say “ka” and raise your left hand, and for “onigiri,” say “o” and raise both hands.
And when “pudding” is called, grab the eraser! Whoever grabs it wins.
It’s a fun game that tests quick judgment and reflexes!
Memory Shiritori
Shiritori is a classic pastime and recreational game.
It needs no introduction—but how about trying this “Memory Shiritori,” which makes the usual shiritori a bit—no, quite a lot—more difficult? As the name suggests, you start from the beginning and keep linking the words while remembering the entire chain.
In regular shiritori, you connect words by the last letter, but in Memory Shiritori, using the last two letters is also allowed.
Still, the longer it goes on, the more challenging the game becomes.
Wordplay and Shiritori Game Collection (11–20)
Games of all ages and places
A timeless clapping game with an infinite number of possible questions.
Players pick a theme and answer in rhythm while clapping.
For example, with a theme like “names of animals,” you could probably keep going for a long time.
But if the theme is niche or has few possible answers, it becomes difficult quickly.
Repeating an answer that’s already been said is also a mistake.
Antonym Game
It’s a game where you answer the antonym of the given prompt.
For example, if the prompt is “blue,” you answer “red.” However, you have to respond in rhythm.
If you miss the beat or give something that isn’t an antonym, you’re out.
It sounds simple, but it’s a game that requires quick, on-the-spot judgment.
Lyrics hijacking game
This “lyrics hijacking” game became instantly popular after YouTubers started making videos about it.
If you’re a middle schooler, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of it.
One person sings a song, and then others jump in with a different song that contains the same lyrics that just appeared.
It sounds a bit complicated when explained in text, but once you see it in action, you’ll get the rules right away! People who know lots of songs have the advantage, and whether you remember the lyrics accurately can be the key to winning.
It’s guaranteed to get everyone hyped with nostalgic tracks and song choices that reflect each person’s tastes!
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.
New World Game
A game that uses the Czech composer Dvořák’s Symphony No.
9 “From the New World.” The gap between the grand music and the comical parody lyrics creates laughter.
The game splits the melody into a first half and a second half: in the first half, you sing about a scene or situation; in the second half, you sing about something that feels “impossible” and “totally crazy.” The bigger the gap between the first and second halves, the funnier it gets! To level up your comedy skills, make a habit of thinking about wild, mismatched combinations hidden in everyday life—you’re guaranteed to bring the house down in the game!
