[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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Rock-Paper-Scissors / Tag (21–30)
Werewolf Tag
In simple terms, “Werewolf Tag” is a game of tag where you don’t know who the tagger is.
In regular tag, you know who’s ‘it,’ so you just run away from that person.
But in Werewolf Tag, since you don’t know who ‘it’ is, you first have to figure out who the tagger is.
For the runners, the key to surviving is how well you can see through the tagger’s lies when they claim, “I’m not it!” Conversely, if the tagger doesn’t get exposed, they can tag freely, so the key to winning is how well they can move around early on without being found out.
If the tagger catches everyone within the time limit, the tagger wins; if even one person escapes, the tagger loses.
It’s a game kids around upper elementary school age and up can enjoy, but if you want to play with younger children, it’s easier if you add rules to soften the mind games—like revealing who the tagger is once the number of remaining runners drops to a certain number.
Hoop Tail Grab
Let me introduce a thrilling hoop tail-tag game.
Attach a tail to your backside and try to avoid having it taken while staying inside a hula hoop.
If your tail gets taken, the game is over.
Because the space inside the hoop is limited, the key is to move your body cleverly so your tail doesn’t get grabbed.
Setting a time limit or preparing plenty of hula hoops can make it even more exciting.
If you increase the number of hula hoops, it’s also a good idea to add more chasers.
Sports Rokumushi
Rokumushi is a game where you move between two circles while being careful not to get hit by a ball held by the tagger.
It tests strategy: how the runners move toward the next circle and how the tagger blocks their route.
Playing in teams is recommended, and the more participants there are, the more aware everyone becomes of movement, leading to more advanced strategies.
Since having fewer players left puts you at a disadvantage, it might be best for the team to move together as one.
Moving House Tag
@kidschallengeclub♪ Odoru Pompokolin (Chibi Maruko-chan) – soyoco.nico.moco
Let’s move from cone house to cone house! Here’s a game of Moving-Home Tag.
It’s a fun way to be active while building reflexes and strategy.
Set traffic cones in a circle, and the tagger chases friends inside the circle and tries to tag them—simple and easy to understand.
However, the runners must quickly move to an empty cone while avoiding the tagger’s gaze, which tests their focus and agility.
Time your moves well and keep dodging so you don’t get tagged!
Relay and race-type events (1–10)
Train Game
How about playing Train Game, a casual recreation game with simple rules that you can enjoy with friends? It’s a fun challenge of teamwork, so give it a try with family or friends.
Split into two teams and line up, placing your hands on the shoulders of the person in front to form a small “train.” The person at the front wears a blindfold, and the people behind give instructions—such as go straight or turn—by tapping with the hands placed on the shoulders.
Follow those signals and aim for the goal without hitting the obstacles set up along the way.
It’s a race to see how many seconds it takes to reach the goal.
Because the leader moves while blindfolded, the train can head in unexpected directions, which makes it fun to watch and a lively game that everyone can get excited about.
Hula hoop relay
Hula Hoop Relay is an easy game you can play anywhere as long as you have a hula hoop.
Each team lines up in a single file and everyone holds hands.
Starting from the person at the front, the hula hoop is passed along as each person steps through it and moves it to the next person, keeping the chain connected.
You can’t use your hands, and you can’t let go of each other’s hands.
Since you have to wriggle your body to move the hoop along, people who are more flexible might have an advantage.
Dribbling Contest
Let’s race for speed! Here are some ideas for a dribbling competition.
All you need is a ball and some cones or markers.
In the video, they dribble with a soccer ball, but using a basketball works great too.
Start by trying it without marker cones, and once everyone gets used to it, add cones and weave through them in a zigzag to make it more exciting.
You can play as individuals or in teams—adjust to the number of participants.
It’s a competition idea that kids will love and get excited about.
Wheelbarrow Relay
Let’s work together and aim for the goal! Here are some ideas for a wheelbarrow relay.
A wheelbarrow is a pose where you support your body with your hands while someone else holds your legs.
Wheelbarrow exercises, which help improve posture control, upper-body support, and balance, are great for indoor active play.
In addition, competing as teams or individuals in a relay can foster motivation and goal-achievement skills.
However, be mindful of the distance and duration to avoid excessive strain when incorporating it.
Caterpillar Race
Kids will love it! Here are ideas for a Caterpillar Race.
A “caterpillar” is something you make out of cardboard, like the track section of a bulldozer’s wheels.
In a caterpillar race, people get inside the equipment and crawl forward on their hands and knees to compete for speed.
Decorating each team’s caterpillar can help build team spirit.
It’s a good idea to start by practicing going straight along the course.
To prevent injuries, make sure to warm up properly beforehand.
Box Carrying Relay
Work together with your teammates! Here’s an idea for a box-carrying relay.
Individual competitions are fun, but splitting into teams adds a different kind of excitement.
Cheering for your teammates—and being cheered on—helps strengthen your bond.
Even indoors, you can ensure plenty of activity by arranging the course.
The key is to carry the box carefully so you don’t drop it! It’ll be more enjoyable if you set detailed rules and guidelines before starting the game.