A big hit at after-school childcare! A special feature on group games and activities you can play without any equipment
Many of you may be looking for games that captivate children and are indispensable for the exciting activity time in after-school care.
Group play unique to after-school programs includes plenty of activities—both outdoors and indoors—that get everyone lively and engaged, while naturally nurturing motor skills and communication.
Here, we introduce fun game ideas that spark smiles, such as group shiritori, the telephone game, and DIY archery.
These activities are enjoyable for both small and large groups, so be sure to try them out in your after-school care setting!
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A hit at after-school care! A featured collection of group play and game ideas you can do without any equipment (71–80)
Group shiritori
Group Shiritori is a more challenging game than playing Shiritori one-on-one.
Its appeal is that anyone can join regardless of grade level, and you can play it indoors! The key to this game is how quickly the members of a group can communicate with each other.
If the group is too large, communication becomes difficult, so forming groups of two or three is ideal.
Because it tests how well the team can work together, it can also help foster strong bonds among the children.
Balloon carrying race
How about a balloon-carrying race, where the way the balloon floats and flutters in the air makes it extra fun? All you need are a newspaper and a balloon.
Form pairs, and each pair holds the newspaper by opposite corners as if spreading it open.
Then place the balloon in the center of the newspaper and carry it while running.
It sounds simple at first, but the momentum from running makes the balloon take off, so it’s trickier than it looks.
Figuring out strategies—like moving gently or tilting the newspaper to shield the balloon from the wind—is part of the fun.
Play the Signal Game Indoors!
The “Traffic Signal Game,” where everyone follows the leader’s instructions, is a play activity that can help develop the ability to listen carefully and the judgment to act immediately.
When the signal is blue, take one marching step; when it’s yellow, shake your head left and right and look around; when it’s red, squat down.
Listen closely to which color the leader calls and act accordingly.
If the leader calls a color other than the three, everyone says “nai-nai” (meaning “no such color”).
There’s no winning or losing in this game, so just have fun moving your body!
Mr. Wolf, what time is it now?
Let’s play tag while enjoying a call-and-response using the phrase, “Mr.
Wolf, what time is it?” First, choose one player to be “It” (the wolf).
The children face the wolf and ask, “Mr.
Wolf, what time is it?” The wolf answers with various times, and if it’s anything other than “3 o’clock,” the children respond, “Phew, thank goodness!” If the wolf says “3 o’clock,” that’s the signal to start chasing.
Run away so you don’t get caught! Whoever gets caught becomes the next wolf.
Sandwich Game
Here’s an idea for a “Sandwich Game” that’s a guaranteed hit in after-school care.
Adults holding mattresses play the “bread,” while the kids each become their favorite sandwich “fillings” and run around.
The rules are simple: when you sandwich a child with the mattress, you just say, “I’ll eat you!” And somehow, that’s all it takes to get everyone excited.
Both the chasers and the runners go all-in.
The kids dash around to avoid getting sandwiched, warming up both body and mind.
Even without elaborate setups, the thrill of almost getting caught and the fast pace make it a perfect group game for active days.
Rule Game
Let me introduce a brain-teasing rule game.
The key point for the kids is to tell them, “Watch carefully.” Then the teacher shows numbers with their fingers, saying, “This is 1, this is 2,” and so on, which naturally makes the children focus on the finger movements.
But here’s the twist! They should also pay close attention to what the teacher says.
The level of excitement changes depending on the themes or rules the teacher sets.
Be sure to have fun playing it together with the kids! It’s also great because you can play it anywhere, like at camp or on a field trip.
Pyramid Rock-Paper-Scissors
Let me introduce Pyramid Rock-Paper-Scissors, a game where you form a pyramid shape and work your way to the top.
Divide into two teams: Defense and Offense.
Draw horizontal lines to form 1–5 rows in a pyramid shape, and have the Defense team’s kids stand on each line.
The Offense team’s kids start by playing rock-paper-scissors with the player in the first row; if they win, they advance to the second row.
At the end, they face the King at the top of the pyramid—win there and they reach the goal.
If they lose at any point, they return to the start.
It’s a fun game that gets everyone moving and communicating, so give it a try!