I want to play together on Mother’s Day! A collection of games the whole family can enjoy
The second Sunday in May is Mother’s Day.
Many people give their mom a gift every year on Mother’s Day.
In households with small children, even if everyone wants to do something together, some may be unsure what exactly to do.
So in this article, we’ve gathered games and activities that everyone can enjoy while expressing everyday gratitude to Mom.
These ideas aren’t just for Mother’s Day—they’re also great for Mom’s birthday and other occasions.
Use them as inspiration whenever you want to show your appreciation to your mother.
- [For Seniors] Recommended Recreational Activities for Mother's Day
- A collection of simple indoor recreational games
- [For Seniors] Songs to Hum Together on Mother’s Day: A Collection of Classics that Convey Gratitude
- [Children’s Day Hand-Play Songs] A Collection of Nursery Rhymes & Traditional Children’s Songs for Parents and Kids to Enjoy Together
- [Thank You] A Collection of Vocaloid Songs to Listen to on Mother's Day [Touching]
- Games and activities everyone can enjoy together. A collection of fun play ideas.
- Mother's Day Song Ranking [2026]
- [Elementary School] Quick and Easy! Indoor Recreational Activities Perfect for Lower Grades
- Team-based recreational activities for adults that are fun even with large groups
- [Songs for May] Tracks that suit fresh greenery and driving & Mother's Day songs
- Games you can play with just conversation. Classic and popular activities you can enjoy without any props!
- Thank you as always. Songs I want to give on Mother’s Day. Recommended gratitude songs.
- Have Fun with Your Kids! A Roundup of Board Games Recommended for Parents and Children
I want to play together on Mother’s Day! A collection of games to get the whole family excited (41–50)
Finger Smash
You hold out both clenched hands and call out numbers in turn.
If the number called matches the total number of thumbs raised, the caller wins.
The person who remains in the game until the very end loses.
Depending on the region, even with the same rules, the game may be called different names, such as “Issē no se.”
I want to play together on Mother’s Day! A collection of games that the whole family can enjoy (51–60)
finger wrestling
It’s a game where you hold hands with your thumbs up, and whoever can pin the other person’s thumb down for a set time wins.
If an adult plays against a child, the stronger adult naturally has the advantage, but with the right trick, a child can win too.
The trick is to use the base of your own thumb against the base of your opponent’s thumb… but that’s all I can reveal.
song shiritori
Song Shiritori is a game that lets the whole family connect through songs you know and love—and songs your mom knows and loves, too.
It’s like a shiritori-style game with songs: you sing one phrase of a song, then link it to the next song by starting with the last word of the previous lyric.
For example, if the lyric ends with a word that sounds like “atta,” the next lyric should start with “ta,” and so on.
It can be tricky to find lyrics that connect, but sharing your mom’s favorites—and your own tastes and generations—will make for a wonderful Mother’s Day memory!
Target shooting game
A simple target-throwing game you can play even with a ball made by crumpling up newspaper.
But as in the video, it might also be fun to prepare a more realistic toy gun.
If you’re playing with kids, it’s sure to be a hit! It’s a game that even adults can get fired up about.
Back text guessing game
It’s a game where someone writes a character with their finger on your back and you guess what it is.
The key is to focus on the movement of the finger without being distracted by the ticklish sensation.
If an adult plays with a child, you need to use characters the child already knows.
Turning it into words or sentences makes it much harder.
Guess My Good Points Game
A game of guessing your own good points that will make Mom happy and a little bashful.
Beforehand, research Mom’s good qualities by asking family members, her friends, and her parents.
Then play a game where Mom guesses which of her qualities everyone thinks are her best.
It can feel a bit embarrassing to say your own good points, but hearing positive feedback from others will surely make her happy! Gather as many as you can and make Mom blush with joy!
Hanafuda
You could say it’s the Japanese version of poker played with playing cards.
You collect cards with pictures to form combinations (hands), and the score determines the winner.
There are various rules like “Koi-Koi” and “Kuttsuki,” and the detailed rules can vary by region.