[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!
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[Elementary School] Indoor games and recreational activities recommended for upper elementary grades (71–80)
Nostalgic finger guessing game!
https://www.tiktok.com/@riana_mine/video/7365810433636207905A game whose name changes depending on the region: Yubi-suma (Thumbs Up).
It’s said that there are many region-specific calls besides Yubi-suma, too.
The rules are: make fists with both hands and hold them out in front.
Decide the order, and when it’s your turn, say a call like “Yubi-suma, one!” or “Issē no, two!” All players then raise the thumb(s) from one or both fists.
If the number of thumbs raised matches the number you called, you can pull back one of your hands.
The first person to pull back both hands wins.
In some regions, there’s even a rule that allows choosing not to raise any thumbs.
It might only be a brief moment, but waiting to see how many thumbs go up is a real nail-biter.
It’s a simple game, but kids really get into it.
Color Play Game
@cocorurueniwa Today's activity is a color play game! Walk only on the specified color and aim for the goal! Make sure to clearly recognize your own color!#Kokoruru Eniwa#Kokorururu SakuramachiEniwa CityAfter-school day serviceAfter-school day serviceActivityColor Play Game#tiktokvalentine
♪ Tetris – Hiiragi Magnetite
This is a game where players aim to reach the goal as quickly as possible while identifying the colors taped on the floor.
Short strips of vinyl tape in various colors are stuck to the floor, and players must step only on the specified color to make their way to the goal.
The spacing of the tape is a key point—varying the distances to match different stride lengths helps players focus more on the colors, which is recommended.
If starting at the same time, proceed with care so no one gets too focused on the colors and bumps into others.
Trump & Card Game
We’d like to introduce card games using playing cards or karuta.
Usually, you play with cards on a desk or on a small space on the floor.
This time, try using a large classroom with desks and chairs pushed aside.
If you’re using playing cards, spread out all the cards to play Concentration; if you’re using karuta, spread out the picture cards around the room.
Because the game takes place in a large space, the children will walk around to look for the cards.
A card game with a wide range of movement is sure to get the kids excited.
Playing in teams is also recommended.
You’ll likely hear teammates calling out hints like, “There’s one over there!”
Liar Memory Introduction Game
This is a game that tests imagination and powers of observation, using personal stories from days off as the theme.
Hand out blank sheets to everyone, have them fold the paper into quarters to make four boxes, and write four summer memories—mixing in exactly one false story.
Divide into groups of 4–5 and take turns presenting your memories; the rule is that everyone works together to figure out which one is the lie.
As people laugh at the funny experiences, they also listen closely to spot the hidden falsehood.
Hearing stories about friends that you wouldn’t normally learn about can help bring the class closer together.
It’s an idea that’s sure to get everyone excited, giving both the presenters and the listeners a thrill.
A command game popular with both children and adults
It’s a fast-paced game that tests your listening skills and split-second decision-making.
The rules are very clear: if someone says, “Order: do XX,” you perform the action; but if they say only “Do XX” without the word “Order,” you must not move.
If you react by mistake, you’re out, so observation and concentration are essential.
The teacher’s feints will spark laughter across the classroom, creating a fun atmosphere.
Despite the simple rules, there’s a lot of strategy in the rhythm and timing, and it stays exciting no matter how many times you play.
Move or stay still—the instant you decide determines the winner.
Say-and-Do Game
Let me introduce a game called “Follow What’s Said/Do the Opposite.” The teacher plays the role of the leader, and the students are the participants.
When the teacher says, “Say the same, do the same: right,” the students move to the right.
If the teacher says “left,” they move to the left in the same way.
Next, if the teacher says, “Say the same, do the opposite,” then when the teacher says “right,” the students should move to the left.
If the teacher says “forward,” they should move backward.
As you play, your brain might get confused and you may not be sure how to move.
Stay calm, think it through, and give it a try.
It’s also fun to speed it up as you go!
Exercise games you can do without equipment
This is a game where you carefully follow the quizmaster’s instructions, judge your actions correctly, and aim to reach the goal faster than anyone else.
You only jump forward when the signals “tobe,” “jump,” or “tonde” are given; if you jump on a different word, you have to return to the starting position and try again.
People with strong jumping ability can get closer to the goal in fewer jumps, and those with good reflexes can clear the instructions accurately—so the rules let each person’s strengths shine.
It also seems like the quizmaster’s sense of how to give confusing instructions will be put to the test.
Dash through the gym while scrubbing the floor!
This activity involves racing through the gym while in the posture used for wiping the floor with a cloth—competing for speed while also cleaning the gym.
Since it uses a unique posture different from regular running and involves equipment, you also get to experiment with how to go faster.
Until participants get used to it, it’s recommended to first compete in straight-line sprints, then expand to courses with curves or obstacles.
Even those who aren’t good at regular running might discover that they can win in this posture—there may be new findings like that.
cross-handed clap
One person steps forward and alternately swings their arms up and down, left and right.
Clap your hands at the exact moment the hands overlap.
Do not clap if the hands are not overlapping.
The person swinging their arms may fake you out, swing slowly, or suddenly swing quickly, so watch carefully and keep rhythm together with everyone!
Do-Re-Mi Song Game
I think everyone learns “Do-Re-Mi” in music class at school, and this is a game that uses that song! You sing in turn, but there’s a rule: the singer has to start from the specified scale degree.
In other words, if you’re given “Do,” you sing the Do verse; if you’re given “Fa,” you sing the Fa verse! When you actually try it, it’s surprisingly tricky—your lyrics might be right, but you end up messing up the rhythm or pitch.
It’s the kind of game that makes you stubbornly want to try over and over again.
