Play ideas kids can enjoy from 1st to 6th grade [indoors & outdoors]
Looking for games everyone from first to sixth grade can enjoy together? In response to those requests, here are activities that bring excitement across grade levels.
From escape-room style games where teammates work together to solve puzzles, to chase games where everyone holds hands to flee from the tagger—there are plenty of options you can enjoy in the classroom or the gym! Build teamwork and share lots of smiles.
From active, movement-based games to brain teasers, you’ll find a wide variety of activities that support children’s growth.
- [Play Right Away!] Exciting Recreation Games Recommended for Elementary School Students
- Indoor and outdoor activities that avoid crowding. Enjoyable for students from first to sixth grade.
- [Children’s Club] Easy and fun indoor games. Exciting party games
- Recommended for upper elementary grades! Exciting indoor recreation and games
- No worries even in the rain! Fun recreational activities you can do in the gym
- [Elementary School] Quick and Easy! Indoor Recreational Activities Perfect for Lower Grades
- Elementary School Fun Day a Big Hit! Indoor Game Idea Collection
- [Elementary School Rec] Recommended Games and Performances for a Fun Party
- [For Kids] Indoor Fun! Large-Group Recreational Activities and Games
- Liven up your children’s club event! A collection of ideas everyone can enjoy
- Recreation Activities That Excite Kids’ Clubs! Plans and Ideas Children Will Love
- [For Kids] Exciting Class-vs-Class Games: Team Competition Activities
- Recommended outdoor games and recreational activities for lower elementary school children
Team versus game (1–10)
Ball-throwing game
Let me introduce a ball-toss game you can play cooperatively as a team.
First, split into two teams: offense and defense.
The offensive team throws balls at stacked cardboard boxes (or similar).
If the stack falls, they score points.
The defensive team surrounds the boxes to block the offensive attacks.
By discussing how to move and planning your strategy, teammates can grow closer.
Forming a huddle and cheering each other on before the game will also build a sense of unity.
Stacking Game
It’s a simple stacking game where you keep piling up coins.
Of course, if you knock them over along the way, you lose and have to start from the beginning.
You can set a time limit, or decide that the team that stacks all their coins the fastest wins.
You can also play using empty boxes or cans instead of coins.
Bamboo Shoot Nyoki
The party game “Takenoko Nyokki” became popular thanks to the comedy trio Neptune’s TV show and has since become a staple recreation game.
It was originally played with six people, but it can be played with any number.
At the start signal, players call out “number + nyokki” in sequence—1 nyokki, 2 nyokki, and so on—but the order of who speaks isn’t predetermined.
If two or more people speak at the same time, they’re out, and anyone who fails to say their number by the end is also out.
Since it’s a simple game that just involves saying numbers, even small children can enjoy it easily.
Human Othello
Othello is a game loved by kids and adults alike.
This “Human Othello” lets you play it with people! First, split into two teams and decide team colors, such as with red-and-white caps.
Once everyone is inside the court, move around for 10 seconds.
After 10 seconds, starting from the designated person, take turns trying to sandwich members of the opposing team.
Each player may move only once per turn and up to three steps.
If someone is sandwiched by two opponents and they say “Othello,” that person must switch their cap to the opposing team’s color.
The team with more of its color within the time limit wins, or alternatively, the team that’s reduced to the last remaining player loses.
It’s highly recommended because it’s fun regardless of age differences!
Team-based Versus Games (11–20)
Pyramid Rock-Paper-Scissors
Let me introduce Pyramid Rock-Paper-Scissors, a game you play while forming a pyramid shape and working your way to the top.
Split into two teams: Defense and Offense.
Draw horizontal lines so they form 1 to 5 rows in a pyramid shape, and have the Defense team kids each stand on a line.
The Offense team kids start by playing rock-paper-scissors against the child in the first row; if they win, they advance to the second row.
In the end, they play rock-paper-scissors against the King at the top of the pyramid—win, and they reach the goal.
If they lose, they go back to the start and try again.
It’s a fun game that gets everyone moving and buzzing with communication, so give it a try!
Treasure-catching game
@kidschallengeclubLupin the Third Theme (High Quality) – Sound Works
Who will win—the cops or the robbers? Here’s a game idea about stealing treasure.
Through the roles of robber and police, players team up to plan and execute strategies while building quick decision-making skills—it’s a fun game! The robbers try to slip past the police to carry off the treasure, while the police sprint around to catch the robbers.
This perfect balance of competition and cooperation keeps kids fully engaged while they burn off energy.
The rules are simple, and everyone who joins the game will feel the thrill and suspense!
Evolution Rock-Paper-Scissors
‘Evolution Rock-Paper-Scissors’ is like turning human evolution into a game.
You’ve probably seen the classic evolution diagram where a figure gradually straightens up into a biped.
It’s like that: everyone starts lying face down.
While face down, find an opponent and play rock-paper-scissors.
The loser stays face down; the winner moves up to being on all fours.
The stages evolve in this order: face down, on all fours, bear crawl (knees off the ground), and then bipedal walking.
The first person to reach bipedal walking wins.