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)
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.
Hula hoop down
From the start of the new school year to farewell parties, it’s fun no matter when you play! Here’s an idea for “Hula Hoop Down.” The rules are simple: participants stand in a circle and rest a hula hoop on their index fingers, then lower it to the ground without letting their fingers lose contact.
It looks easy at first, but for some reason the balance gets off or the hula hoop slips from fingers, leading to unexpected mishaps that liven things up.
It’s great fun to try with close friends, and it can also be a good chance to unite hearts even among people who haven’t talked much before.
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!
Beef Tongue Game
No tools or prep needed! Here’s an idea for the “Gyutan Game.” Gyutan means beef tongue, a popular cut at yakiniku restaurants.
This game uses your hands and voice.
Put your hands together and hold them out in front—ready to start! Say “gyu” out loud, and for each “tan,” one person claps in turn.
The first round rhythm is “gyu-tan gyu-tan gyu-tan-tan.” From the second round on, the number of “tan” at the end increases by one each time.
It’s simple, but it’ll trip you up and get everyone laughing!
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.
