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 big hit at after-school care! A special collection of group play and game ideas you can do without any equipment (141–150)
Rock-Paper-Scissors Train Game
Let me introduce the Rock-Paper-Scissors Train game.
Move around the room pretending to be a freight train to the music of a freight train.
When the music stops, play rock-paper-scissors with a friend.
The person who loses places their hands on the winner’s shoulders, boards the same train, and sets off together.
Repeat this process to add more friends to your freight train.
When everyone is riding on the same train and departs together at the end, the game is complete.
Try speeding up or slowing down the music to match the children’s pace and have fun!
Debate showdown
Convince your opponent! Here are some ideas for debate showdowns.
These ideas are great for developing logical thinking and communication skills.
Participants exchange opinions based on a given theme and strengthen their persuasive power to convince others.
In this game, you can train not only your speaking skills but also your listening skills and the ability to change your views flexibly.
By choosing familiar issues as themes and engaging in discussions at school or at home, you can also learn the importance of constructive exchanges of ideas.
The card game Daifugō
Let’s align on the rules before we start! We’d like to introduce the card game Daifugō (Grand Millionaire).
It’s a card game where you can learn the rules while thinking about your strategy! Because rules may vary by region or household, it’s important to confirm them carefully before the game and make sure everyone agrees before starting.
Doing so prevents rule violations and helps the game proceed smoothly and enjoyably, so be sure to check.
It’s a deep game with a charm that makes you want to play again and again.
Definitely try incorporating it into your playtime!
Birthday chain
It’s a simple recreation activity often used at the start of a new school term or during company training.
It’s frequently done to ease the tension when meeting people for the first time.
But it’s also a lot of fun just as a game! The rules are simple: without speaking, line up in order of birthdays from January 1 to December 31.
The more people, the better, so it’s perfect for exchange events with other schools at camp, for example.
Another plus is that you can play it repeatedly by changing the groupings.
Teachers should definitely join in, too.
It seems suitable for students from around upper elementary school and up.
Bingo Relay
When you think of bingo, you might imagine playing with cards and markers, but a relay-style bingo that gets kids moving is a great fit for energetic elementary schoolers.
In this version, players place objects inside rings to make bingo.
Splitting into two teams makes speed important, but there’s also room for strategy—like placing items to block the other team’s bingo—which is a nice touch.
Doing two things at once can be tough even for adults.
Besides being good exercise, it’s recommended because it helps build decision-making skills.
Treasure hunt with puzzles to enjoy in the park
Solve the riddles and find the treasure chest! Here are some ideas for a riddle-solving treasure hunt you can enjoy at the park.
This activity is great for sparking children’s curiosity and creativity! By hiding treasures around a familiar park and crafting clever puzzles, you can help nurture problem-solving skills.
The thrill of searching for hidden items like snacks or toys makes the experience exciting, and the sense of accomplishment at the end is a big draw.
Both the seekers and the planners are sure to have a great time together.
Growth Janken
Grow bigger when you win at rock-paper-scissors! Here’s an idea for a Growth Rock-Paper-Scissors game.
Start in a crawling pose like a baby! Each time you win, you “grow”: from a crouching child to a standing adult.
You can play one-on-one, of course, but it’s also great fun with a large group.
To keep it fresh, try tweaking the pose you strike when you level up, or set rules like not playing rock-paper-scissors with the same person consecutively.
That way, everyone can enjoy it without getting bored!
Paper Cup Relay
It’s a game where you pull out the bottom paper cup so it drops without toppling the stacked cups, then pass it on to the next person.
You have to judge how to move it to avoid knocking the cups over, which really tests each person’s control of strength and speed.
The relay format—passing it to the next person—is also key, because the pressure of someone waiting makes control even harder.
Precisely because it’s a simple action of pulling the cup out to the left or right, it’s a game that people of all ages can enjoy together.
Paper cup pull
Why not add the easy yet exciting “Paper Cup Pull” to your recreational activities? It’s perfect for indoor play, so kids can have fun with friends even on days when it’s hard to go outside! Prepare one paper cup for each player with a string attached and have each person hold their string.
Play some music, and when it stops, everyone pulls their string.
Meanwhile, a designated person with a basket tries to interfere by covering the paper cups with the basket.
The player who pulls their string and secures a paper cup before it gets covered wins! This game can also help boost children’s reaction speed.
Territory-Janken
Let’s move our bodies and play! Here’s an idea for a territory-taking rock-paper-scissors game.
Two players face off; if you win, take three steps forward, and if it’s a tie, both take one step, racing toward the goal.
It’s fun to see each person get creative—taking big strides or making big jumps to move ahead! You can also customize the rock-paper-scissors itself, like using your whole body for “body rock-paper-scissors” or using your feet for “foot rock-paper-scissors.” It’s a great way to have fun while inventing ideas together with the kids.