Indoor games and recreational activities recommended for junior high school students
Introducing recommended indoor games for junior high school students!
These days, many junior high schoolers have smartphones.While you might chat or play using communication apps, there are still plenty of chances to have fun face-to-face.
In this article, we’ll introduce indoor recreational activities that classmates, club members, and other groups can enjoy together.
They’re perfect for recess at school, after classes, or when you get together with close friends—so be sure to have fun with everyone!
Indoor activities and recreation games recommended for junior high school students (1–10)
9-square tag
A nine-square tag game you can try from indoors to outdoors.
It’s a fun activity that tests not only physical ability but also insight and decision-making.
Use paper or tape to draw a 3×3 grid, have one person stand in each square, and choose one person to be “it.” At the signal to move, everyone changes squares; if you end up in the same square as “it,” you’re caught.
You can also enjoy a variant where you try a set number of rounds: if everyone gets caught, “it” wins; if anyone survives, the runners win.
Give it a try with your middle school club members or classmates and have a great time together.
The Perfect Match Game
The “Perfect-Stop Game” starts by setting a target number.
Then you ask your opponent questions and try to stop precisely on the number you set.
You don’t need any special materials—once you learn how to play, anyone can do it easily.
It’s quite hard to land exactly on the number, but that’s why it feels so satisfying when you do!
First Impressions Game
A first-impression game recommended for junior high school students.
It’s a simple game that helps deepen bonds with friends.
All you have to do is nominate someone based on the prompt, so you can start right away.
With LINE calls or Zoom, you can enjoy it with friends who are far away, too.
You’ll learn how everyone sees each other and might discover new sides of your friends.
It’s bound to be full of laughter.
Just remember to be considerate of others’ feelings—that’s the key.
Try it during break time, after school, or at a party at home in all kinds of situations.
It will surely become a fun memory.
NG word game
As the name suggests, the “NG Word Game” is based on a simple rule: each person is given an NG (no-go) word, and if you say yours, you’re out.
Everyone else can see your NG word, but you can’t.
Try to guess your own NG word and avoid saying it, while steering the conversation so the other players say theirs.
Because it enables natural conversation, it seems perfect as an icebreaker, too.
Escape Game
Let’s work together to solve puzzles and aim for a clear! Here are some escape room ideas.
An escape game is a game in which players solve riddles and puzzles with the goal of escaping from a certain room or place.
If you have classmates who love quizzes, it could be fun to start by creating riddles and give it a try! If you take on the challenge in teams, it will definitely strengthen the team’s unity! By getting the teacher involved and working together, you’re sure to have a wonderful time.
Quiz: Let’s Hit the Sweet Spot SHOW!
Why not try “Quiz Ii Sen Ikimasho!”—a game everyone can get excited about together? Players are asked quiz questions that are answered with numbers, and each participant writes down whatever answer they think is right.
The person who chooses the median wins—a simple yet profound game.
Even if you don’t know the exact figure, your ability to anticipate your friends’ answers will be put to the test.
With just a whiteboard and some markers, you can even create your own original questions.
It’s great fun with classmates or club members, and you can play online too, so it works in a variety of situations.
Try getting everyone hyped during breaks or after school!
Buzzer-beater showdown
Compete using counters! Here are some ideas for a fast-tap showdown.
It’s a simple, easy-to-understand game, making it a unique idea you can try casually in your spare time.
All you need is a handheld tally counter.
See who can reach the highest number within the time limit.
Each participant’s tapping style shows their personality, which should be entertaining for the audience as well.
Adding perks for the winner or a penalty game for the last-place finisher could make it even more exciting!
Great Persons’ Quotes Game
Great figures who left their mark on history also left behind memorable quotes that convey their beliefs and values.
This game takes inspiration from such historical luminaries: we invent the name of a fictional great person and a quote they might have said.
While it’s a game that values the creativity to give words to things that don’t exist, those who know history well may have more references to draw from and thus an advantage.
Let’s move the game forward freely, using plausibility and entertainment value as our criteria for a “good” answer.
It could also be exciting to include the backstory of how the quote came to be.
The cup game that requires cooperation
https://www.tiktok.com/@justjol_/video/7437487753106869511You can only clear the game if everyone who joins works together! Here’s an idea for a cooperation-required cup game.
It’s great for strengthening class unity and building bonds.
It also takes little prep, so give it a try.
All you need are paper cups, a rubber band, and strings.
Tie one string per participant to the rubber band and you’re ready to go! Aim to clear the challenge by arranging or stacking the paper cups.
The key is controlling your strength!
Improvised parody song game
The “improvised parody song game” familiar from Gaki no Tsukai.
You pick a theme like a dish name and turn it into a parody song on the spot—that’s the rule.
It’s an easy game if you have time to think, but doing it improvised can be a bit tricky.
Some people come up with really funny parody lyrics, so the place erupts in laughter.