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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Big Hits at After-School Care! A Special Collection of Group Play and Game Ideas You Can Do Without Any Equipment (161–170)
Cross clap
Let me introduce a lively hand game with big movements called “Cross Clap.” The nice thing is that you can play it easily without any props.
First, choose one person who will cross their arms.
The rule is simple: the children watching should clap at the exact moment when both hands overlap.
It can be fun to suddenly freeze or speed up the movement after a sequence of rhythmic claps.
The key is to make them let their guard down by making them think it’s the same movement.
Clapping to a 3-3-7 rhythm is also recommended.
Air-reading game
Let’s read the room so we don’t overlap with our friends! Here’s an idea for a “reading the room” game.
It’s a unique game that helps elementary school students develop the ability to act while watching the timing and what’s happening around them.
In a group of 4–5 players sitting in a circle, you take turns standing up while calling out numbers.
The rule is simple, but what matters is avoiding overlapping timing with your friends.
Through the game, kids can build awareness of others and quick decision-making skills.
The atmosphere is tense at the start, but when two people stand up at the same time, everyone can’t help bursting into laughter!
Drawing Telephone Game
Many kids love drawing, don’t they? Let’s try playing a drawing game called “Drawing Telephone”! Tape a sheet of paper onto someone’s back with cellophane tape, and draw on it.
The person being drawn on has to imagine what’s being drawn based only on the sensation, then draw the same thing on the back of the person in front, passing it along.
The last person draws it on the chalkboard or whiteboard to see if it’s correct.
It’s a game where getting the right answer smoothly is quite difficult, and it’s also fun to look back and figure out where things went wrong along the way (haha).
Catch
Let me introduce a game called “Catch” that everyone can enjoy, from kids to adults, without worrying about age.
Everyone forms a circle: make your right hand into a tube shape and point it toward the person on your right, and extend your left index finger and place it into the tube-shaped right hand of the person on your left.
At the cue “Catch!” your right hand squeezes to catch the right-side person’s index finger, while your left hand tries to escape so the person on your left doesn’t catch you.
If your right hand catches and your left hand gets away, you’ve nailed it! You can play with any number of people.
It’s a simple game, but it’s sure to get addictive!
Go and Shogi
In the past few years, shogi has really been booming, hasn’t it? Many adults have started playing or learned the rules because of the boom, and it’s certainly beneficial for children to get familiar with it from a young age.
Since it makes you use your brain, it’s great mental exercise and helps build concentration.
Go, which might be less familiar than shogi for many people, is similar—it’s a game, but it develops the ability to think things through carefully and truly benefits children.
Some kids might even find it so fun that it becomes a hobby!
kamishibai (paper theater) and read-aloud storytelling
You can enjoy kamishibai and read-aloud storytelling together with everyone, from small children to older grades.
Kamishibai has long been a children’s recreation; adults may find it nostalgic and enjoyable to read as well.
Having the children do the reading could be a fresh and nice idea, too.
Read-alouds let you experience books in a way that’s different from reading silently on your own—whether it’s a picture book or a text-only book.
Listening and understanding with just your ears can also expand the imagination.
Gorilla Game
Let me introduce a game that will have your class roaring with laughter: the Gorilla Game.
Choose one child in the classroom, and have them answer every question from the questioner with the word “Gorilla.” For example, if the question is, “What did you eat for breakfast today?” the child answers, “Gorilla.” Of course, the questioner should react with a funny comeback to the “Gorilla” answer.
This back-and-forth will make the kids burst into laughter.
Make sure the final question sets up a punchline.
Also, the questioner’s reactions are key—add some facial expressions to make it even more exciting.
In conclusion
We introduced play ideas for after-school childcare. From games enjoyed in groups to activities kids can try on their own, there are plenty of ways to have a fulfilling time both outdoors and indoors. Even during long breaks like summer vacation, you can create play spaces filled with children’s smiles. We hope that adults will sometimes join in too, deepening emotional connections through play.