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Fun activities with newspaper! Recreation games kids will love

Fun activities with newspaper! Recreation games kids will love

Last updated:2025/12/3

20 years of experience as a nursery teacher / kindergarten teacherhiyoko sensei
I’m Hiyoko-sensei, a former nursery school teacher from Hyogo Prefecture. Ever since I was five, my dream was to become a childcare worker, and before I knew it, 20 years had passed since I achieved that dream. Through singing and playing with the children, I kept working with the spirit of someone in their twenties, even as I increasingly felt my physical limits year by year (haha). From here on, I’d like to share helpful information carefully and thoughtfully, drawing on my on-site experience.
Nursery Teacher Mom Writertsukada moe
After working for five years at an after-school childcare club and three years at a nursery school, I began working as a freelance writer. I’m a mother of two children. Inspired by playing the flute in the school wind ensemble in elementary school, I joined a jazz club at university. I’ve also incorporated ukulele and piano performance into childcare. Playing, laughing, feeling sad, feeling frustrated—through all kinds of experiences, I want children to grow.

We’ve gathered ideas for children’s games and activities using newspapers.

Newspaper play is fun to enjoy together with kids, so it’s easy to incorporate as an indoor activity at daycare centers, kindergartens, and elementary schools.

If it’s hard to get newspapers, try using advertising flyers or unwanted letters and notices instead.

Using colored paper will give the activities a different feel.

We’ve also included games that get kids moving a lot, so they can be active even indoors!

Fun Games Using Newspaper! Recreation Activities and Games Kids Will Love (1–10)

Newspaper Dome

Parent-child recreation at Shimbun Dome, Utsunomiya

Newspaper Dome

A “newspaper dome” made by connecting and inflating sheets of newspaper! You can make it with just newspaper, but if you attach clear plastic to the upper part that becomes the roof, it feels more open, and kids can draw their favorite pictures and letters on it for an even nicer finish.

You do need a large space, but since people can bring their own newspapers and plastic, it’s great fun at low cost.

Once the dome is finished, go inside and take a commemorative photo for a wonderful memory.

And at the end, have fun tearing the dome to pieces!

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Newspaper War

Physical activity play to enhance children's motor skills: 8. Newspaper play (Newspaper Battle)

Newspaper War

‘Newspaper Battle’ is a game where players split into their own side and the opposing side and throw balls made from newspaper at each other.

It can be enjoyed in small indoor spaces! First, crumple sheets of newspaper to make about 20 to 30 balls, and divide participants into two teams.

Assign each team to its court and place an equal number of balls in both courts.

At the start signal, throw the balls from your side into the opposing team’s court.

The team that manages to throw more balls into the opponent’s court within the time limit wins.

The rules are simple, so even young children can enjoy it.

If there are many participants, you can also run it as a tournament.

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Newspaper Ball Relay

[5 Newspaper Activities] Five ideas you can enjoy using only newspaper, from warm-ups to fun games [Moca-chan Time]

Newspaper Ball Relay

This is a “Newspaper Ball Carry” game played with sticks and a ball made from rolled-up newspaper.

First, form teams of two, and make two sticks and one ball out of newspaper.

If the sticks are too thin, they’ll be unstable when you place the ball on them; if they’re too thick, they’ll bend or break easily—so try to find the right thickness.

If you crumple the ball loosely, it won’t sit well on the sticks, so press firmly and shape it into a solid sphere.

Once your sticks and ball are ready, set up a course and, at the starting signal, head for the goal without dropping the ball.

It’s a fun game that requires teamwork from both players.

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Newspaper Frisbee

Funabashi City Children’s Home: “Let’s Play at Home” — Newspaper Frisbee

Newspaper Frisbee

Frisbees are sold in stores, but did you know you can easily make one with a newspaper and a plastic bag? The method is super simple! First, roll a sheet of newspaper into a thin rod, then twist it to make it sturdier.

Once twisted, join the two ends of the newspaper to form a circle.

Cut the plastic bag into a circle slightly larger than the newspaper ring.

Finally, attach the cut plastic to the newspaper circle—and you’re done! You can stick the plastic on as is, or draw on it to create your own original Frisbee.

Try using this Frisbee for games like target throwing and have fun!

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An airplane made with adhesive tape and newspaper

An airplane made with adhesive tape and newspaper

An airplane made with adhesive tape and newspaper

This is an airplane made by using a rolled-up newspaper as the core and wrapping colored adhesive tape around it instead of painting.

It’s a craft rather than a paper airplane meant for actual flight, but that means you can focus more on the design.

Try making it based on the colors of your favorite airplane.

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