[Elementary School] Indoor Games and Recreational Activities Recommended for Upper Primary Grades
There are lots of elementary school children who love the internet and online games, right?
Of course, they can build relationships and develop various skills through them, but many parents and educators probably feel, “I’d like them to play something other than games a bit more.”
Kids can learn a lot from new experiences, so we hope they’ll try a variety of activities.
In this article, we’ll introduce fun games and recreational activities suited for upper elementary grades!
All of them can be played indoors, so they’re perfect for days when you can’t go outside!
- Recommended for upper elementary grades! Exciting indoor recreation and games
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- Indoor games and recreational activities recommended for junior high school students
- [Elementary School] Quick and Easy! Indoor Recreational Activities Perfect for Lower Grades
- Indoor and outdoor activities that avoid crowding. Enjoyable for students from first to sixth grade.
- [Play Right Away!] Exciting Recreation Games Recommended for Elementary School Students
- Play ideas kids can enjoy from 1st to 6th grade [indoors & outdoors]
- [Elementary School Rec] Recommended Games and Performances for a Fun Party
- Recreation popularity rankings for junior high school students
- [Part 2] Recommended Indoor Activities and Recreation Games for December
- Get the Fun Going! Easy Classroom Games You Can Play at School: Recreational Activities for the Whole Class
[Elementary School] Indoor Games and Recreation Activities Recommended for Middle Grades (121–130)
Fruits Basket
English Twist! Here’s a fun Fruit Basket idea.
Prepare a number of chairs that is one fewer than the number of players.
The rules are the same as the classic Fruit Basket game! Divide everyone into teams by the four seasons.
The game starts with the call, “When is the season?” The person standing in the middle then calls out a specific season.
The team of the season that’s called stands up and moves to a different chair from the one they were sitting in.
If “All seasons!” is called, everyone stands up and switches the chairs they’re sitting in.
BlindSquare
Introducing the Blind Square Game, a fun activity that uses visual illusion while participants are blindfolded.
Gather 6 to 8 people, form a circle, hold a single rope, and put on blindfolds.
At the signal “Start,” work together to form a square.
Once you think you’ve made a square, everyone places the rope on the ground and sits down.
Remove your blindfolds and check whether it’s actually a square.
The team that creates the neatest square the fastest wins.
Teamwork is key.
It’s recommended to leave one person without a blindfold to give directions.
You can also switch up the shapes you make to keep things lively.
Lip-Sync Telephone Game
The silent lip-reading telephone game.
The first person passes a designated word to the next person using only mouth movements.
Since no one is allowed to make a sound, the receiver has to carefully read the speaker’s lips.
This continues in order, and if the last person can say the correct answer, the team succeeds.
Meanings can change along the way, and unexpected answers often lead to laughter—that’s part of the fun.
This game tests observation and imagination, so it’s sure to be a hit.
Start with simple words and then try longer or more difficult phrases to make it even more entertaining.
It’s easy to play in a classroom, making it a great option for breaks or recreation time.
Shape Finding Game
How do you say this shape in English? Here’s an idea for a shape-finding game.
It’s a way to learn English that fits right into everyday life! By finding shapes in your room that are specified in English, you can build vocabulary you can actually use.
For example, try linking everyday objects with words like circle, square, and triangle.
You’ll improve your ability to recognize shapes while learning their names in English at the same time.
It’s also great that you can learn in familiar places!
Finger Smash
The game known as “Yubi-suma,” whose name is said to have become widespread thanks to the variety show SMAP×SMAP, has long been played by children under names like “Issē no se” or “Issē no de,” so many people may have heard of it in their childhood.
All participants form a circle and extend both fists in front of them so that thumbs can be raised.
In time with a chant, players call out how many thumbs in total they think will be raised among all participants.
If a player’s prediction is correct, they lower one fist; the person left with a fist at the end loses.
With these simple rules, it’s a handy party game you can play anytime.
Question game
Let’s try to infer the correct answer from the responses and figure it out! Here’s an idea for a question game.
Ask the questions you think are necessary to guess what’s inside the mystery box.
Then, based on the answers, try to say what’s in the box! Through this game, you’ll develop your speaking and listening skills.
The rules are simple, so it’s easy to try with friends or family—that’s part of the fun.
Give it a try!
Word association game
Listen to the hints and figure out the answer! Here’s an idea for an association game.
All you need are picture cards.
It’s a highly effective idea for learning English! By using picture cards and thinking of English words related to what’s drawn on the cards, your vocabulary will grow naturally.
Through the game, you’ll strengthen your English communication skills and associative thinking, which can help reduce any anxiety about English.
Incorporating the teacher’s gestures and hints makes learning English more fun and engaging, and helps spark interest.
Balloon Carrying Game
Introducing the Balloon Carry Game, where you carefully transport a gently bobbing balloon to the finish line.
Players form pairs of two, place a balloon on an opened newspaper, and carry it to the goal without dropping it.
The turnaround point—circling a cone set up along the course—really tests how well the two can coordinate.
If you drop the balloon along the way, restart from that spot.
If the newspaper tears, unfortunately, you’re disqualified on the spot.
The team that reaches the finish line first wins.
Since the balloon floats and drifts easily, perfectly synchronized movements between the two players are essential!
Treasure Hunt in a Haunted House
Let’s create a homemade haunted house inside your home! Here are some ideas for a treasure hunt in your haunted house.
They’re wonderful for sparking kids’ sense of adventure and creativity! Try setting up a haunted house in a dark room or a quiet corner.
The process of making it is fun, too! Following a series of clues to search for treasure in your DIY haunted house sounds exciting, doesn’t it? Since it’s easy to do at home, it’s a perfect idea not only for Halloween or special events, but also for weekends.
Vague Memory Drawing Game
It’s a game where you recall the exact shape of the prompt you were shown and compete to see how high-quality an illustration you can draw.
It tests not only your drawing skills but also your memory—how precisely you remember the fine details of the prompt.
Let’s consider a variety of categories, such as things with tricky color placements like a panda, or logos you see around town.
Even if no one reproduces it perfectly, we recommend deciding the winner based on whose drawing is closest to the real thing.
