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 in after-school care! A special collection of group play and game ideas you can do without equipment (51–60)
Tag, where kids and adults both have fun: “Hand-Holding Oni (Tag)”
Participants are divided into one “it” and the “children.” The children form pairs and hold hands.
At the start signal, the children run away, and “it” chases them and tries to touch their joined hands.
When a pair is touched by “it,” they must let go, find a new partner, hold hands again, and keep running.
At the finish signal, any child who is in a pair is safe; any child left alone loses.
If there are many children, you can increase the number of “it” players.
It’s a game everyone can enjoy, and it helps people get friendly even if they’re meeting for the first time.
Territory game! S-Ken
A game called “S-Ken,” where teams compete to steal a treasure from territories drawn in a large S-shape.
Participants split into two teams and start from their respective sides.
Decide roles in advance: who will defend your territory and who will steal the enemy’s treasure.
When the start signal is given, move by hopping on one foot from outside the S to the enemy’s territory.
Once you enter the enemy’s area, you can move with both feet, so quickly grab the treasure.
The square spaces near the enemy territory are safe zones where you can stand on both feet and rest.
Those in your own territory should push enemies out of your area and protect the treasure.
The treasure can be anything like a stone on the ground.
Fun in a group! Daikon-pulling game
Divide into two teams: the radishes and the pullers.
The radish team lies face down in a circle and links arms firmly.
When you’re ready, the puller team starts pulling the radishes.
Only pull by the legs—be careful not to pull on clothing.
If a radish doesn’t come out easily, work together, such as having two people pull one radish.
You can decide that pulling out all the radishes within the time limit wins, or let the child who gets pulled out become the next radish.
A rhythm game that toddlers can enjoy
Moving your body to songs and rhythms can really lift your spirits, right? It introduces games that are fun even with large groups, like “Kaminari-don,” “Yakiimo Goo Choki Paa,” “Anpan Shokupan,” and “The Greengrocer’s Shop.” The rhythm game “The Greengrocer’s Shop” is a unique activity that fosters memory, concentration, and the ability to recall familiar items based on a theme.
How about trying it at events with preschoolers? It’s full of fun ideas that people of all ages can enjoy.
Traditional children’s game “Abukutatta”
@shinbokuhoikuen AbukutattaTraditional GamesShin-gi Nursery SchoolCertified Childcare and Education CenterKodomoen (combined childcare and kindergarten)#Nursery schoolNursery teacher / Childcare workerParentingOutdoor play#Indoor Play#Nursery School Craft#Childcare CraftingProductionWakayama Prefecture, Shingu CityShingu City#Nachikatsuura TownKiho Town
Original song – Shinboku Nursery School – Araki Nursery School
Abukutatta is a fun game that mixes a thumping heartbeat and excited anticipation, and even small children can enjoy it.
Choose one person to be “it,” have them sit in the center with their face covered.
The others join hands to form a circle around “it,” and walk around while singing.
As the song progresses, there’s a part where the people holding hands say, “Knock, knock, knock.” When that happens and “it” says, “It’s the sound of a ghost,” everyone breaks the circle and runs away.
Whoever gets tagged by “it” becomes the next “it.” If you add your own original sounds during the “What sound is it?” part, the game becomes even more exciting.
Finger Suma: Fun Anywhere
Finger Suma, a game that tests your split-second judgment and reflexes, can be enjoyed by a wide range of ages—from elementary school children to seniors.
First, use rock-paper-scissors to decide who will call the number.
The caller predicts how many thumbs will be raised and says, “Issē no [number]!” At the moment of the call, participants decide whether to raise their thumb or not and act accordingly.
If the called number matches the actual total number of raised thumbs, the caller succeeds and may pull back one of their hands.
If it doesn’t match, the turn passes to the next person in order.
The person who remains to the end loses.
Keeping a straight face throughout the game is also a key point.
human disentanglement puzzle
The human knot game is a simple, crowd-pleasing activity that kids and adults can enjoy together.
Participants form a circle and hold hands—but you must hold hands with people who are not next to you, and you can only hold the same person with one hand.
Without letting go, twist and maneuver your bodies to untangle the human knot.
As everyone talks and works together to solve it, the excitement naturally builds.
When you succeed, the shared sense of accomplishment brings everyone together and strengthens team unity, making this a highly recommended game.
How to Make a Block Puzzle to Strengthen Shape Skills
@.vs9086 This time it’s a “Lego puzzle that boosts shape sense.” Making it and solving it both really work your brain. Even adults feel a real sense of accomplishment when they solve it! It’s a great brain-training activity. How to make it: (1) Stack plates to make the base. (2) Flip it over and add a frame. (3) Leave one small opening in the frame to make it easier to take pieces out. (4) Combine two-stud-wide plates to make the pieces. (5) It’s tricky to make the pieces fit perfectly. My 4th-grade older son can both build and solve the puzzle. My 1st-grade younger son had fun solving it! It’s compact, so you can pop it in a bag and take it with you. Great for passing time outdoors too—highly recommended. －－－－－－－ We share fun, brain-boosting activities that elementary schoolers get more hooked on than the Switch—and that grow their talents! Check out our other posts! －－－－－－－Elementary school kids' playBrain-boosting playSTEAM educationTranslation#legoLEGO puzzle
♬ A cute pop and bouncy song(1526882) – sanusagi
With these easy-to-copy, one-minute activities, you can make mornings fun and smooth.
We introduce simple and entertaining games like “Janken Champion,” where you face off in rock-paper-scissors and advance by winning; “Name Toss,” where you pass a ball while calling a friend’s name; and the “Yamanote Line Game,” where players link words to a beat based on a given theme.
We also feature classics like Finger Suma, Acchi Muite Hoi, and Green Peas.
None of the ideas require any preparation, so the moment you feel like it, you can start playing right away.
3 fingerplay activities that engage first graders
The first is the classic “after-the-fact Rock-Paper-Scissors.” The leader says “Rock, paper, scissors, shoot!” and throws rock, scissors, or paper.
Participants watch and then play after the leader, aiming to win.
The second is a game called “Pachi-Pachi.” You clap only when the leader’s hands overlap.
Adding feints makes it more exciting.
The third is a game called “How Many Fingers?” The leader quickly shows a number with their fingers, then hides their hands behind their back.
Participants answer the number the leader showed.
Ball games you can play with two people!
Balls are very familiar playthings for children, and the ways to enjoy them are limitless! This time, we’re introducing eight ball games for lower-grade students.
In addition to balls, items like hula hoops are used to help kids improve their physical abilities while having fun.
Basically, children pair up in twos and play by throwing or rolling the ball, or dodging a bouncing ball.
There are also games with sport-like elements—such as Copycat Dribble, Hoop Pass Tennis, and Marker Hockey—so we hope even kids who feel uneasy about ball sports will take this opportunity to get interested.