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!
- [Elementary School] Quick and Easy! Indoor Recreational Activities Perfect for Lower Grades
- [Play Right Away!] Exciting Recreation Games Recommended for Elementary School Students
- [For Kids] Indoor Fun! Large-Group Recreational Activities and Games
- Recommended for upper elementary grades! Exciting indoor recreation and games
- Play ideas kids can enjoy from 1st to 6th grade [indoors & outdoors]
- [For Kids] Have Fun at After-School Day Service! A Special Feature on Indoor Game Ideas
- [Elementary School Rec] Recommended Games and Performances for a Fun Party
- Elementary School Fun Day a Big Hit! Indoor Game Idea Collection
- [List] A roundup of games and recreational activities kids love
- Simple yet amazing crafts: craft ideas that elementary school students will want to make
- [Children’s Club] Easy and fun indoor games. Exciting party games
- [For Kids] Exciting Class-vs-Class Games: Team Competition Activities
- [For Kids] Today's Recommended Recreation Idea Collection
Big Hits at After-School Care! A Collection of Group Play and Game Ideas You Can Do Without Equipment (21–30)
Birthday line
Within the time limit, let’s try lining up in a single row in order of birthdays.
The rule here is that you must not say your exact date of birth.
If everyone clearly knows the others’ birthdates, you can line up smoothly.
But if someone’s is unknown, you’ll have to exchange clues and reason it out as you line up.
It might be tricky to come up with hints that others can understand, like “around the middle of the season.” If you think it through and line up correctly with no mistakes, it should be a big hit.
Having kids from various age groups—not just those born in the same year—will make it both more fun and more challenging.
Bomb Game
Let’s play the “Bomb Game,” using newspaper as pretend bombs! Split into two teams and draw a line in the middle of each side’s territory.
At the start signal, push the newspaper “bombs” into the other team’s territory.
You can push the papers along with your hands, throw them in bundles, or even kick them with your feet.
When the end signal sounds, count how many bombs are in your own territory—the team with fewer bombs wins.
You can play with as few as two people or with a large group, and it works both indoors and outdoors.
Big hits at after-school care! A special collection of group play and game ideas you can do without any equipment (31–40)
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.
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.
Sitting tag
How about trying a seated game of tag that you can play indoors? First, choose who’s “it,” and have everyone—including the tagger—start in a seated position.
It’s best if people are spaced a little apart.
The rule is that everyone must keep their bottoms on the floor even while moving.
Moving while your bottom stays on the floor is tricky and slows you down more than you’d think—that frustrating feeling is what makes it so fun.
Since you can’t move very far, you can enjoy it in a small space.
Give it a try!
Outdoor activities: fun games everyone can play together!
This is a game called “Catch.” Choose one person to be the leader, and have the other participants form a circle.
Hold out your right hand with the palm facing up toward the person on your right, and place your left index finger on the palm of the person to your left.
When the leader says “Catch,” quickly close your right hand, and with your left hand, try to pull your index finger away so it doesn’t get caught.
The leader should vary the timing by stretching out “Ca, ca, caaaatch…” or throw in feints by saying something like “Cat!” instead.
It’s a simple game that helps break the ice and get everyone excited, even with people you’re meeting for the first time.
A Hit with Toddlers! The Traffic Light Game
Let’s play the ‘Traffic Light Game,’ which also helps you learn traffic rules! Everyone except the leader stands at the start line.
When the leader says ‘Green,’ jump forward one step with both feet.
When they say ‘Yellow,’ jump back one step with both feet.
If they say ‘Red,’ you must not move.
Listen carefully to the leader’s words, move accurately, and cross the crosswalk safely.
The rules are simple, but thinking with your head and moving your body instantly is surprisingly challenging.
Once you get used to it, speed things up and try increasing the difficulty!