[For Kids] Exciting Class-vs-Class Games: Team Competition Activities
Looking for team-based games that will get everyone excited indoors with your friends? We’ve gathered a variety of cooperative indoor games—like creative twists on the classic charades, flipping races, and telephone—that teams can enjoy together! With simple rules that let you start right away, these games are sure to bring out smiles all around.
Indoor games that deepen team bonds while letting each person’s individuality shine.
Let’s sync up and have fun together!
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Classic events at school sports days (11–20)
long rope jumping
When it comes to classic team competitions that large groups can enjoy, long rope jumping (group jump rope) is a must! Everyone on the team jumps over a big rope together, competing to see how long they can keep jumping or how many consecutive jumps they can do.
In either case, if someone trips, you’re out.
If you’re competing by number of jumps, you can add an easy rule that allows a restart if someone trips.
If you’re competing by time, you keep jumping until someone trips—the last team remaining wins! Success depends on the entire class or team moving in perfect sync, so strong team bonds are essential!
ball toss (traditional Japanese beanbag/ball-throwing game)
Tamaire is a classic event at sports festivals.
At the starting signal, participants throw the many balls prepared on the ground toward a high basket.
The team that gets more balls into the basket within the time limit wins.
Recently, a variation called “Dancing Tamaire” has become popular, where participants dance at set times and then resume throwing the balls after the dance.
cavalry battle
This is the “kibasen,” a well-known boys’ event at school sports festivals.
Four students form a team: one in front, two in the back forming a triangle with linked arms, and one rider on top who battles from there.
It’s a game derived from mounted warriors and knights.
There are team and individual formats, and the rules vary slightly.
Although it’s sometimes considered dangerous nowadays, it’s one of the traditional events that has been around for a long time.
Olympic Race
Here are ideas for events themed around Olympic sports.
Take on courses set up in the schoolyard or gym and enjoy them like attractions while you compete! It’s also recommended to include elements like depicting the torch relay lighting ceremony, or incorporating gymnastics events such as the balance beam.
By setting up hurdles and a vaulting box on a straight course leading to the finish line, you’ll create an even more exciting race.
Try incorporating ideas that give older kindergarteners a sense of challenge and achievement.
Bell cracking
This is “suzuwari,” where you throw lots of balls—like in a ball-toss game—to break a decorative ball.
Aim at the kusudama set high up and throw the balls.
Make sure to have plenty of balls ready at your feet.
Split into two teams and compete; the team that breaks their ball first wins.
Prepare confetti or a banner with a message inside the ball.
Part of the excitement is not knowing what will come out until it breaks.
three-legged relay
A classic event at sports festivals: the three-legged relay.
Two people stand side by side and tie their inside legs together with a rope.
They call out a rhythm and step in sync, then pass off to the next pair.
It looks easy when you’re watching, but it’s actually quite difficult to do.
If the two aren’t in sync, they can’t run well.
Decide on a call and match your steps carefully!
pole toppling
Bō-taoshi, a classic event at sports festivals where participants topple a tall, long pole.
While defending your own team’s pole from being brought down, you attempt to knock over the opponent’s pole.
The match is decided when a pole is completely brought down, tipped past a certain angle, or when an item like a flag attached to the tip is taken.
Some teammates support the pole while the rest go to topple the opponent’s.
You need a strategy for how many people to assign to each role and who will defend or attack.
Attempting to topple the pole can be quite dangerous, so be very careful to avoid injuries.