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 Collection of Group Play and Game Ideas You Can Do Without Equipment (21–30)
A game about finding the correct moves
Act out the prompt’s movement and have others guess it.
For example, if the prompt is “forward roll,” the guesser should try various movements that come to mind.
The children around, who know the prompt, should react to each movement.
Decide in advance how to react when the movement is close to the prompt—for example, by cheering.
Using those reactions, the guesser narrows down the correct answer.
It’s also fun to have multiple guessers or to play team versus team.
You don’t need any materials, it’s a simple game, and it’s sure to get everyone excited.
Anything Basket
A classic recreation game, Fruit Basket.
Normally you split into teams named after fruits, but this version is called “Anything Basket,” where you don’t divide into teams.
Just like Fruit Basket, the person standing in the middle makes a call, and the people who fit the call move.
As the name “Anything” suggests, anything goes.
For example: “Anyone who ate bread for breakfast today,” “Anyone who isn’t wearing socks today,” and so on—call out actions or noticeable traits.
Clap-Clap Game
Let me introduce the Clap-Clap Game that always gets the class excited.
The rules are simple: the leader moves both hands, and the participants watch the leader’s movements and clap their hands exactly when the leader’s hands overlap.
It’s a game where you enjoy clapping in sync with the timing.
Carefully observe the leader’s movements and match your timing.
It’s also important for the leader to be creative with their motions to make the game more exciting.
Even if someone claps at the wrong time, it turns into laughter and makes the game even more fun.
Evolution Rock-Paper-Scissors
This rock-paper-scissors game lets you enjoy the stages of human evolution.
Just playing rock-paper-scissors by itself can be boring, right? In Evolution Rock-Paper-Scissors, everyone starts lying face down.
Crawl on your stomach to move around, find an opponent, and play.
The loser stays face down, while the winner “evolves”: first to all fours, then—after the next win—to a high crawl without knees touching the ground, and finally to standing on two feet.
The first person to stand on two feet wins.
Without Katakana
In everyday life, we often use words written in katakana.
Here, we’d like to introduce “Katakana-ashi,” a game where you explain a given topic without using katakana.
For example, you show a ball used in P.E.
and ask, “What is this?” The answer will likely be “ball.” Next, have them describe the ball without using any katakana.
Children will likely search for answers by thinking of various words in their heads.
Try switching the roles of questioner and answerer and give it a go.
King Janken
A King Rock-Paper-Scissors game everyone can get excited about.
The rules are simple: everyone plays rock-paper-scissors, and the child who keeps winning until the end becomes the first King.
If a participant loses to the King, they go to the back of the line.
If they beat the King, they switch places and become the new King.
The child who remains King at the end of the time limit is the winner.
The thrill of competition and cheering will further boost the atmosphere.
It’s also recommended to prepare a crown for the King to wear.
Magical Banana
A Magical Banana game where clapping and rhythm are key.
The first person says, “When you say banana, I think of ___,” filling in a word by association.
The next person keeps the rhythm and continues saying what the word makes them think of.
Keep the rhythm going by saying the phrase “When you say ___” each time.
Once everyone gets used to the game, speed it up by increasing the clapping and rhythm tempo.
The main point is to say your associations in time with the rhythm; if you can’t say one in time, restart on the spot and try again.