[For Kids] Indoor Fun! Large-Group Recreational Activities and Games
Spending time with children, indoor fun time is important, isn’t it?
Even when the weather is bad or when you can’t go outside due to coordinating spaces with other classes, kids can refresh and have a fulfilling time if you enjoy doing recreations and games indoors.
Here, we’ve gathered ideas for indoor recreations and games that work well with large groups.
We’ve divided them into activities for preschoolers and for elementary school children, so you’re sure to find ideas that suit the kids who will be playing.
Please use this as a reference!
- Let's play with a big group! A collection of fun children's recreational activities
- Indoor games that different ages can enjoy! Ideas for fun everyone can get excited about together
- [Children’s Club] Easy and fun indoor games. Exciting party games
- [For Kids] Exciting Class-vs-Class Games: Team Competition Activities
- [Childcare] Play Right Now! Recommended No-Prep Games
- Recommended for upper elementary grades! Exciting indoor recreation and games
- Indoor Games for Small Groups: Exciting Recreational Activities
- No worries even in the rain! Fun recreational activities you can do in the gym
- Handkerchief and Towel Play! A Collection of Fun Play Ideas
- Get the party started at the preschool graduation! A collection of party game ideas
- [Elementary School Rec] Recommended Games and Performances for a Fun Party
- February: Liven up childcare! A collection of ideas for indoor play and physical activities
- Indoor games and recreational activities recommended for daycare and kindergarten
[For Kids] Indoor Fun! Large-Group Recreational Activities and Games (61–70)
Rolling Dodgeball
As the name suggests, rolling dodge is a rolled-ball version of dodgeball.
Dodging balls that roll toward you is very effective practice for tracking moving objects with your eyes.
And because rolled balls are slower than thrown ones, it’s less likely to cause fear such as “it hurt when the ball hit me” or “I was scared.” Another plus is that rolling dodgeball is perfect for indoor play.
Play in a spacious area with good traction, such as one covered with mats.
Musical chairs
Musical chairs is probably a game that every teacher or parent has played at least once.
You walk around a circle of chairs arranged in a ring to the background music from a piano or a CD.
When the music stops, you sit on a chair—simple as that.
The key to the game is that there’s always one fewer chair than the number of players.
If two people end up at the same chair, they play rock-paper-scissors to decide, ensuring that exactly one child is left without a seat.
As the game goes on, both the number of players and the number of chairs decrease…
The last child still seated is the winner!
Treasure Hunt
“Maybe it’s in the toy box?” “If we open the drawer, it might be there!” This is a treasure-hunt game that keeps kids buzzing with excitement! Hide treasures all around the classroom and let the children find them.
You can weave in stories from picture books you usually read aloud, or say, “Actually, all your favorite characters are hiding in the classroom!” Incorporating things they love can make it even more engaging.
Will everyone notice the subtle changes in the classroom they see every day? The teacher might be in for one surprise after another as the kids set their sights on unexpected spots.
Ninja play
Kids love to imitate ninjas, don’t they? In this ninja game, let the children fully become ninjas! An adult or teacher walks in front, and the children follow behind in stealth like ninjas.
When the adult suddenly turns around and says, “Who goes there?!” the children must freeze, crouch down, or follow other simple rules you set.
It’s very simple, but role-playing games like this are a big hit with kids!
Copycat Animals
Here’s a copycat animal game that kids of different ages can enjoy while moving their bodies.
Along with a piano melody, the teacher says the name of an animal and imitates it.
The children enjoy moving like the animal in their own way, at a level that suits their age.
You might even see the younger children copying the movements of the older ones.
It could also be fun to ask the children what animals they can think of as you go along.
This copycat animal play is a great way to get kids moving indoors—give it a try!
Bomb Game
A simple “Bomb Game” you can play with a rubber ball.
The rules are like a preschool version of dodgeball: set up areas in advance using tape lines or mats, and have the children move from mat to mat while avoiding the ball.
First, explain, “The ball is a bomb, so you mustn’t get hit.” Start by tossing the ball gently with an easy arc, then raise the difficulty as they get used to it by changing the ball’s trajectory or throwing faster shots off the wall or floor.
The kids will love the thrill—guaranteed excitement!
UFO Tag
@kidschallengeclub♬ UFO – Pink Lady
Spin around and protect the captain! Here’s an idea for a UFO tag game.
It’s a unique game that really tests teamwork! Form teams of three, hold hands, and dodge the tagger so your captain doesn’t get caught.
Choose a captain among the three and have them wear a bib number so the tagger can easily tell who it is—highly recommended.
The key is to hold hands firmly so no one lets go!