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!
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Indoor games and recreational activities recommended for junior high school students (41–50)
English-banned Shiritori

Unlike regular shiritori, this version—“English-prohibited shiritori”—forbids answers in English or katakana.
Because many words we use without thinking are actually English-derived, you may find it surprisingly hard to come up with words.
Of course, if you think long enough you can find answers, but calling them out in rhythm creates a sense of urgency, giving you a thrilling experience you can’t get from ordinary shiritori.
It’s a brain-teasing game you can play indoors without any equipment.
Rhythm 4 Game

“Rhythm 4 Game” is a recreational game that became wildly popular thanks to TV shows like “Let’s Go to School!” The basic rule is to say your own name rhythmically a specified number of times.
There are also many local rules that use not only names but various gestures and phrases, so looking those up and trying them out can make the game even more exciting.
Reverse Playback Telephone Game

In everyday life, you rarely get the chance to listen to words played in reverse.
In the Reverse Playback Telephone Game, you take words that were recorded in advance and play them backwards, then pass along the reversed pronunciation to the next person.
The last person records what they heard, plays it in reverse, and if it sounds like the original word, you succeed! Unlike simply reading a word backwards, you won’t get the right result unless you also rearrange vowels and consonants appropriately, so it tests not only your listening skills but also your ability to reproduce pronunciation.
All you need is a smartphone, so why not give it a try?
One-Minute Mission Game
If you’re looking for a quick game you can play in a short amount of time, we recommend the “One-Minute Mission Game.” In this game, you form a group of four: one person gives the mission, two people attempt the mission, and the last person has to guess what mission is being carried out.
Try to perform the mission subtly so it doesn’t get discovered.
Werewolf Game for 10+ Players That Even Elementary School Students Can Play!

In addition to roles like “Werewolf” and “Villager,” it seems there are also roles such as “Android” and “God.” You can play using cards or with apps on smartphones, but that heart-pounding, exciting atmosphere of kids playing together face-to-face in the moment is likely to become a lasting memory.
Each time you add new roles, be sure to explain the rules carefully so everyone can enjoy the game while understanding it.
The video also features the role of “Lovers,” so be sure to try incorporating that as well.
Association & Shiritori Game

The “Association Shiritori Game,” which combines word association and shiritori, is a very fun game that strengthens creativity and thinking skills.
The first player picks a theme and chooses either association or shiritori, then passes it to the next player.
The next player responds with either something associated with the theme or a word that connects via shiritori.
The key is that each player, when their turn comes, can instantly choose whether to go with association or shiritori on the spot.
Focus and quick thinking might be crucial.
It can get really lively with a large group.
A game where you guess the words written on a tissue

A casual game you can play with just a single tissue is the “guess the letter on the tissue” game.
Write a character on a tissue and place it on your face.
Use your breath to lift the tissue up, and guess which character is written on it.
Controlling your breath is key, so blow carefully.
It’s an easy game to play, so it’s recommended for break time.
3-second try!

Flip over a card with a prompt and try to say a word or perform a movement that matches it within 3 seconds.
The keys to winning are how quickly you can pull words from memory and how fast you can move your body.
There are also rules like letting the person who declared the highest number go first and not being allowed to reuse words said by the previous player, which makes for exciting mind games to prevent others from winning.
Let’s aim for victory by leveraging each person’s strengths—quick thinking, swift movements, and more.
Fastest Shiritori

“Fastest Shiritori” is, as the name suggests, a game where you play shiritori at the fastest possible speed.
It’s simple, but unlike regular shiritori, you have virtually no time to think.
On top of that, the difficulty is high because it’s a failure unless everyone can say their word! It might be tough until you get used to it, but you’re allowed to repeat words, so it helps to remember what the previous person said.
Pin Pon Pan Game

Although gokon (mixer) games might seem like they’re for adults, many are also popular among middle schoolers.
One such mixer game recommended for middle schoolers is the “Ping-Pon-Pan Game.” In this game, the first person says “Pin,” and the next person continues with “Pon” and then “Pan.” The person who says “Pan” last designates the next person, and the game continues.



