Popularity ranking of recreational activities for children
We introduce kids’ recreational activities in a ranked list.
From indoor and outdoor play to large-group activities for schools and events, we’ve gathered the most popular options among the kinds of recreation kids love.
If you’re thinking, “There are so many activities that I don’t know which ones are popular,” or “I want to learn lots of different games,” be sure to check out this article.
Research the most popular activities and enjoy a great time with the kids!
- [Play Right Away!] Exciting Recreation Games Recommended for Elementary School Students
- [Children’s Club] Easy and fun indoor games. Exciting party games
- Play ideas kids can enjoy from 1st to 6th grade [indoors & outdoors]
- [Elementary School] Quick and Easy! Indoor Recreational Activities Perfect for Lower Grades
- Recommended for upper elementary grades! Exciting indoor recreation and games
- [Elementary School Rec] Recommended Games and Performances for a Fun Party
- Recreation Popularity Rankings for Elementary School Students
- [For Kids] Today's Recommended Recreation Idea Collection
- A big hit at after-school childcare! A special feature on group games and activities you can play without any equipment
- [For Kids] Indoor Fun! Large-Group Recreational Activities and Games
- Liven up your children’s club event! A collection of ideas everyone can enjoy
- Indoor recreation popularity ranking
- [For Kids] Exciting Class-vs-Class Games: Team Competition Activities
Recreation Popularity Rankings for Children (71–80)
Pyramid Rock-Paper-Scissors71rank/position
This is a pyramid rock-paper-scissors game you can play with an entire class.
Depending on the situation, it can even be enjoyed by the whole grade, and it gets very exciting—so give it a try.
First, draw lines on the schoolyard or similar space.
Make the front line the longest, then make each subsequent line shorter, and place the defending players on those lines.
The formation looks like a pyramid.
The attacking players play rock-paper-scissors against each row of defenders; if they keep winning all the way to the final defender—the defending “king”—they clear the game.
If they lose along the way, they go back to the starting line.
A single game takes about 5–10 minutes.
Word association game72rank/position
It’s a simple game that doesn’t require any tools as long as you have participants and words.
As long as you have an answer word and hints associated with it, you can play using various rules.
The easiest and most straightforward rule is a quiz format where several hints are presented and players think of the answer suggested by them.
There’s also a rule where you link hints in sequence—words associated with the answer, then words associated with those, and so on—which can sometimes drift away from the original answer and makes it interesting.
It’s a fun game if you get creative about who thinks of the answers and who comes up with the hints.
Newspaper Island73rank/position
The Newspaper Island game is a game you can enjoy as long as each person has one sheet of newspaper.
Everyone stands in a circle and plays rock-paper-scissors with the teacher; each time you lose, you fold the newspaper you’re standing on to make it smaller.
If you step off the newspaper or can no longer stand on it, you’re out.
Beyond winning and losing, it’s fun in multiple ways: it tests neatness in folding the paper and, as the paper gets smaller, your sense of balance.
It’s a great game that really livens things up—be sure to give it a try at least once.
Translucent name tag74rank/position
Express your individuality with a translucent look! Here are ideas for see-through name tags.
In places with many children, like elementary schools or lessons, it’s easy for belongings to get lost.
When a name tag is attached, your items are much more likely to find their way back to you! This time, let’s make translucent name tags and attach them to bags and other important items.
You’ll need deco plates, clear stickers, letter stickers, protective tape, silicone rings, keychain hardware, and more.
Customize the design to suit the item you want to attach the name tag to.
In a disaster, in what ways can a raincoat be useful beyond its role as rain gear?75rank/position
- Privacy screens in shelters
- To wrap a package
- cold-weather gear
See the answer
cold-weather gear
As a useful tip for disasters, a raincoat is a great item to include in your evacuation kit. Not only can it be used as rain gear when it’s raining, but it also works very well as protection against the cold!
dodgeball76rank/position
A quintessential elementary school game: dodgeball.
First, you split into two teams and take your respective courts.
The basic rule is that once the game starts, you hit players in the opposing team’s inner court with the ball to send them to the outer court, and players in the outer court try to hit opponents in the inner court to return to their own inner court.
Dodgeball also has many official rules, and national tournaments are held as a sport.
There are also local rules that vary by school or region.
In addition to the basic rules I just explained, adding extra rules can make the game even more exciting.
Pudding Game77rank/position
In a classroom, there’s a two-player game called the Pudding Game.
Push two desks together and place an eraser in the middle.
The two players stand facing each other across the desks.
The caller says one of: “yakisoba,” “karaage,” “onigiri,” or “pudding.” If they say “yakisoba,” raise your right hand and say “ya!” If they say “karaage,” raise your left hand and say “ka!” If they say “onigiri,” raise both hands and say “o!” And if they say “pudding,” grab the eraser in the middle.
Whoever grabs the eraser wins!
