[Elementary School] Indoor Games and Recreational Activities Recommended for Upper Primary Grades

Newspaper race

@kazenomori.piconursery

You can move your body and have fun even indoors!#Nursery schoolA day at the nurseryNursery teacher / Childcare workerChildcareChildcarenewspaper (newsprint)#Indoor Play#Pico Nursery

♬ Athletic Meet “Heaven and Hell” (No Introduction) – Shinonome

Move your body while sitting? A brand-new kind of footrace! Here’s an idea for a newspaper footrace.

A footrace normally means a short-distance race where you run as fast as you can.

Usually, it’s done by running from a set starting point to a finish line, but this time, let’s try a unique version where you compete while seated: the newspaper footrace.

Once you’ve taped sheets of newspaper together into a long strip, you’re ready.

Spread the newspaper out long from underneath the chair, and using only the strength of your legs, pull the newspaper back under the chair.

It’s trickier than you might think, so give it a try!

Without Katakana

Simple and fun! A class-energizing activity: “Katakana-less”

In everyday life, we often use words written in katakana.

Here, we’d like to introduce “Katakana-ashi,” a game where you explain a given topic without using katakana.

For example, you show a ball used in P.E.

and ask, “What is this?” The answer will likely be “ball.” Next, have them describe the ball without using any katakana.

Children will likely search for answers by thinking of various words in their heads.

Try switching the roles of questioner and answerer and give it a go.

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Nakajima Junko

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20 indoor activities you can enjoy even on rainy days

After-school teachers recommend: 20 indoor activities kids can enjoy even on rainy days

Let me introduce a brain-teasing rule game.

The key point for the kids is to tell them, “Watch carefully.” Then the teacher shows numbers with their fingers, saying, “This is 1, this is 2,” and so on, which naturally makes the children focus on the finger movements.

But here’s the twist! They should also pay close attention to what the teacher says.

The level of excitement changes depending on the themes or rules the teacher sets.

Be sure to have fun playing it together with the kids! It’s also great because you can play it anywhere, like at camp or on a field trip.

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mayumi

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Forehead Biscuit

Forehead Biscuit, from “The Latest and Most Fun Recreation Games”

The game where you place a biscuit on your forehead and try to get it into your mouth without using your hands is called “Forehead Biscuit.” You tilt your head back, place the biscuit on your forehead, and then move your eyebrows, eyes, and mouth to guide the biscuit toward your mouth.

If you tilt your head forward, it will slide down, but there’s a risk it will fall to the floor.

If it drops to the floor, you have to start over from the forehead.

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utatane

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The cup game that requires cooperation

@justjol_

#schoolactivity#teambuilding#teambuildinggames#teamwork#indoorgames#amazingrace#GSP

♬ School Activity – Daily Music

You can only clear the game if everyone who joins works together! Here’s an idea for a cooperation-required cup game.

It’s great for strengthening class unity and building bonds.

It also takes little prep, so give it a try.

All you need are paper cups, a rubber band, and strings.

Tie one string per participant to the rubber band and you’re ready to go! Aim to clear the challenge by arranging or stacking the paper cups.

The key is controlling your strength!

Let’s have fun with bouncing balloons!

Just add a small twist to a balloon and it becomes fun! Here’s an idea to enjoy a bouncing balloon.

One of the charms of balloons is how they drift on the wind and float down slowly even when tossed high.

This time, let’s add a simple tweak to make a balloon that bounces with a pop-pop and play with it.

All you need is a balloon, vinyl tape, and scissors.

Once you inflate the balloon, wrap vinyl tape around the knot in a spiral—and you’re done! You might even be able to use the bouncy balloon for activities like volleyball, basketball, or other recreational games.

Cup Ball Relay

You only need two items to prepare! Here’s an idea for a Cup-and-Ball Relay.

The movements are simple, but it’s surprisingly tricky—exactly why it gets exciting.

Give the Cup-and-Ball Relay a try! You’ll need paper cups and colored balls.

It’s helpful to increase or decrease the number of paper cups based on how the children are doing.

You use one colored ball per lane, but if you plan to add more lanes, having about five on hand will give you peace of mind.

The rule is simple: place the colored ball on top of a lined-up paper cup and move it along, cup by cup.

Definitely give it a try!