[For Kids] Indoor Fun! Large-Group Recreational Activities and Games

Hula hoop down

[Sports Recreation] Hula Hoop Down — From Failure to Success

“Hula Hoop Down” is a game where several people support a single hula hoop using only their index fingers and lower it from a high position to the floor.

Although it sounds easy from the explanation, it’s surprisingly difficult! Unless everyone moves in perfect sync, the hula hoop will quickly tilt and fall.

Without calling out to each other—saying things like “A little higher!” or “Slowly!”—it’s hard to get it down to the floor.

Try your best while communicating with everyone!

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sasashina

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Don Janken

After-school Children’s Classroom Physical Activity Program: “Don Janken”

Let’s try playing Don-Janken, a quick and exciting game you can enjoy anywhere! The rules are very simple: split into two teams and line up at opposite ends.

At the signal, the first person from each team runs forward, and when they meet, they play rock-paper-scissors.

If you win, you keep going; if you lose, the next teammate starts running.

You continue advancing by playing rock-paper-scissors, aiming to reach the opponent’s side.

It’s called Don-Janken because when you meet, you both stretch your hands forward, touch with a “don!” and stop.

Play carefully to avoid injuries.

Bingo Relay

[Recreation] Bingo Relay

“Bingo Relay” is a game that requires quick reflexes and strategic thinking.

First, split into two teams.

Then set up markers at a distance.

Arrange the markers so that they can form a bingo—aligning vertically, horizontally, or diagonally.

Small rings work well as markers.

At the signal, the first player in each line runs to the markers and places something identifiable as their team’s—such as a marker cone—inside a ring.

Once the first player returns to the line, the second player starts and does the same.

The team that first lines up their marker cones in a bingo pattern wins.

It’s a fun game that not only pushes your own team to win but also includes elements of disrupting the opposing team.

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tsukada moe

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Catch

Catch @ Yamato Company

An indoor game called “Catch” that’s fun for groups from two people to many.

The rules are very simple! Point the index finger of your right hand downward, and make a tube with your left hand.

Put your right index finger into the tube made by the person next to you with their left hand.

When the leader—such as a preschool or school teacher—calls out “Catch,” quickly pull your index finger out so it doesn’t get caught, while the hand making the tube squeezes to try to catch the neighbor’s finger.

You win if you manage to pull your finger out in time or successfully catch your neighbor’s finger! If everyone stands in a circle, large groups can enjoy it.

The leader can also make it more fun by occasionally faking people out with words that start with “ca-” before saying “Catch.”

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SAKI

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Fun for elementary school kids too! The Rule Game

[Game for Elementary Schoolers to Enjoy] Pattern Game

The “Think With Your Head” rule quiz is a game that even elementary school students can enjoy.

It’s a game where you listen to connected parts like “This is 1,” “This is 2,” “This is 3,” and answer accordingly.

You might feel tempted to say the number shown by the fingers when someone makes a number pose with their hand, but try to listen carefully to the connecting words and give the correct answer.

Once you grasp the key, you can create endless questions.

Keep your mind flexible as you figure out the right answers.

It could also be fun to play with more people and compete to see who can get the most correct answers.

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mayumi

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Fruits Basket

Group game: Fruit Basket! The new Sumire class takes on the challenge together! Everyday life at Hachiman Kodomoen (Fukui City). April 2018.

It’s the classic indoor game, “Fruit Basket”! Here’s how to play: choose one person to be “It,” and everyone else sits on chairs arranged in a circle.

Everyone except “It” is assigned to a fruit group in advance.

When “It” calls the name of your group, you must get up and move to a different seat.

While players are moving, “It” also tries to sit in a chair; the person left without a seat becomes the next “It.” If “It” calls “Fruit Basket,” everyone must change seats.

There’s also a variation called “Anything Basket,” where the groups aren’t fruits but anything you like—for example, “people wearing white socks.” Once you’ve gotten used to “Fruit Basket,” give “Anything Basket” a try too!

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sasashina

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Cat and Mouse

[You can see the childcare in action] Teacher Rio’s active play [Cat and Mouse]

If you’re looking for a game that lots of people can enjoy, we recommend this Cat and Mouse game.

The rules are very simple—think of it as similar to tag.

Each time the facilitator says “ne,” the cat team and the mouse team each take one step forward.

Once the two teams are at just the right distance, the facilitator calls out either “neko” (cat) or “nezumi” (mouse).

If they say “nezumi,” the cat team chases the mice, and the mouse team tries to reach their home base without being tagged by the cats.

It’s also fun to have the facilitator throw in unrelated words like “nezu-ko,” which slightly increases the difficulty and keeps everyone on their toes.

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Ryo

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