Recreation popularity rankings for junior high school students
We’re introducing popular recreational activities for junior high schoolers in a ranking format!
When someone asks, “What kinds of activities do junior high school students enjoy?” do you have something that comes to mind right away?
Many people probably find themselves thinking, “Hmm… I’m not sure.”
Even for junior high schoolers themselves, when a large group gets together, it can be hard to know which activities to choose.
In times like that, be sure to check out this article and use it as a reference.
If you’re planning recreation for an event aimed at junior high school students, this will definitely come in handy!
- Fun activities for junior high school students. Recreation games.
- Indoor games and recreational activities recommended for junior high school students
- A roundup of exciting grade-level recreational activities for junior high school students
- Indoor recreation popularity ranking
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- Recommended outdoor recreation for junior high school students: A roundup of fun outdoor activities
- Recreation Ideas That Truly Excite High School Students! A Fun Collection of Activities
- Get the Fun Going! Easy Classroom Games You Can Play at School: Recreational Activities for the Whole Class
- Recommended for upper elementary grades! Exciting indoor recreation and games
- [For Middle School Students] A Collection of Recreation Ideas to Liven Up Farewell Parties
- [For Kids] Today's Recommended Recreation Idea Collection
- Recreation Popularity Rankings for High School Students
- [For Kids] Exciting Class-vs-Class Games: Team Competition Activities
Recreation Popularity Rankings for Junior High School Students (41–50)
USA game43rank/position
This is a game played using DA PUMP’s song “U.S.A.,” which became a huge hit in 2018 for being “corny yet cool.” The game was created by the popular comedy duo Chocolate Planet, and it proceeds with players dancing to the chorus while taking turns saying “ordinary things about America.” If you hesitate or say something that doesn’t feel American, you lose.
It’s a simple game that became popular, and thanks to its catchy, easy-to-understand nature, it’s also a good recommendation for middle schoolers.
Oh My Lyrics Game44rank/position
Titled “Oh My Lyrics Game,” this activity uses Google Translate to translate original lyrics into English, then back into Japanese.
The host reads the lyrics, and the challenger guesses the song title.
The concept is unique in that it turns the nuances and mismatches of Google Translate into a game.
You can enjoy it like taking on a quiz show.
Some lyrics can be answered instantly, and others are so funny you’ll burst out laughing—guaranteed to get everyone hyped!
Dance Gesture Game45rank/position
This is a more stylish take on a gesture game where you communicate using only body movements.
As the prompt is announced, music starts playing; you perform an improvised dance to the music, consciously making sure it works as a dance while also incorporating movements that express the prompt in your own way.
Others should not only guess the prompt but also judge whether the dance stands on its own.
If you’re good at dancing, leverage your creativity to aim for more stylish gestures; if you’re not, the fun comes from everyone enjoying your earnest effort.
Choose tracks to match each person’s dance ability; for those who are confident, it’s also recommended to play songs with more challenging choreography.
Makki Game46rank/position
This is a game called the “Makkie Game,” played with Makkie oil-based markers.
Stand about 10 colored Makkies upright on a table and, when someone calls a color like “red Makkie” or “green Makkie,” grab that color.
Occasionally there’s a fake-out with “Mickey,” in which case you pick up two Makkies and hold them like Mickey Mouse ears.
You can add your own rules to make it more exciting, such as being out if you grab the wrong color or knock any markers over.
Word Basket47rank/position
Word Basket is popular among junior high school students.
It’s a game where you associate words from the hiragana in your hand and say them quickly.
You can build your vocabulary while enjoying communication with friends.
You win when you run out of cards, but if you get stuck for words, there’s a penalty.
You’ll be hooked by the thrilling pace for sure.
Because it’s a brain-teasing game, it’s perfect for having fun after school or online.
How about getting excited with classmates or club members? It’s a recommended indoor recreation that strengthens bonds with friends and family.
Three-Letter Staring Contest48rank/position
It’s a fresh new game that combines the humor of pairing prompts and punchlines (like a comedy improv challenge) with the straight-faced tension of a “don’t laugh” staring contest.
It’s played two-on-two with a clear turn-based system of first and second moves, making the win/lose conditions easy to understand.
Within each team, one person provides the prompt and the other delivers the answer; after the prompt is given, the answerer reveals a three-character response, aiming to make the opposing team’s answerer laugh.
A key element is that the answering player can’t see the prompt, so the spontaneous, off-the-cuff responses interweaving with the prompts create the laughs.
Prompts that seem likely to be funny, plus tactics involving pronunciation, wording, and facial expressions, lead to complex mind games that make the gameplay even more exciting.
Change Janken49rank/position
Rock-paper-scissors is a game that’s woven into everyday life, like when deciding the order of things.
It often ends with a simple one-shot bout, but this “changing rock-paper-scissors” is a variant you can savor at a slower pace.
Without seeing what the other person throws—and only seeing their facial expressions—you both form your hand shapes on a cue.
From there, you predict your opponent’s move through conversation and expressions, and within the time limit, you’re allowed to change your own hand as many times as you like.
It’s a game that heats up with bluffing through talk, eye contact, and facial cues—do you lie to your opponent, or are they lying to you?