A big hit at after-school childcare! A special feature on group games and activities you can play without any equipment

Newspaper Rock-Paper-Scissors

At-home activities Part 1: Newspaper (1) — Rock-Paper-Scissors

This is a game called “Newspaper Rock-Paper-Scissors,” which you can play anywhere as long as you have newspaper.

Each person takes a sheet of newspaper, lays it on the floor, and stands on it to play rock-paper-scissors.

The winner stays as they are, while the loser folds their newspaper in half and plays again.

As the loser keeps folding, their newspaper gets smaller and smaller, but as long as they can stand on it, they’re still in.

Even standing on one foot or just your toes is fine as long as nothing goes off the newspaper.

If any part of your foot touches the floor outside the newspaper, you lose.

It’s a game that’s fun with both small and large groups.

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utatane

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A number-guessing game that everyone can enjoy, from children to adults

[Number Guessing Game] Fun for all ages! You can play it on the spot without any equipment, so be sure to give it a try! \(^o^)/

The number-guessing game, where communication skills and powers of observation are key, is a game that large groups can enjoy.

The rules are simple: on the cue of “Ready, go!”, players take turns calling out the next number.

Each person also decides, at that same cue, whether to stand or sit.

If the number called does not match the number of people standing, the game ends there.

Because you have to observe others and decide which number to call while watching your opponents, the key is not to succumb to tension or pressure.

Give it a try!

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mayumi

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A Daruma’s Day

[Hilarious] We all tried playing the nostalgic old “Daruma-san’s Day” game, and it turned out absurdly surreal lol

“Darumasan ga Koronda” is a classic recreation game we often played as kids.

There’s a ‘evolved’ version of that game called “A Day in the Life of Darumasan.” As in the original, there is one ‘it’ (the demon/oni), and everyone else starts some distance away.

When the oni says, “Darumasan ga koronda,” the players actually fall down on the spot and show it.

You can also call out other gestures people can do on the spot, like “Darumasan is standing on one leg,” or “Darumasan made a funny face.” It’s a fun game indoors and works well with mixed ages.

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utatane

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You can play it in the classroom too! Haiihadon

Easy Classroom Activity 14: “Hai Iha Don”

Sit in a circle and stack your left hands in order.

Decide the order, and when someone says “Hai,” the person whose hand is at the very bottom moves it to the very top.

When they say “Iha,” the person whose hand is at the very top keeps it at the top.

When they say “Don,” the person with the bottom hand lightly taps everyone’s hands from above.

Through this game, children develop concentration, quick reactions, and a sense of unity with those around them.

It’s a game that fills the classroom with laughter even when mistakes happen and instantly livens things up.

No tools or preparation are needed, so you can start right away.

It’s recommended as a quick communication activity for class recreation or morning time.

Adults can enjoy it together, too.

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kepiko

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Mukkuri Kuma-san!

[Tag: Tag] Mukkuri Kuma-san (The Bear Wakes Up)Note:- 鬼ごっこ: literally “tag” (the children’s chasing game). The brackets often function like a category or tag label.- むっくりくまさん: a traditional Japanese children’s game/song, commonly rendered as “Mukkuri Kuma-san,” meaning “the bear slowly wakes up.”

“Mukkuri Kuma-san” is a game of tag where you can enjoy music and singing.

First, choose one person to be “it” (the bear), and the others will be the children who run away.

The bear sits down and covers their face with both hands.

The children form a circle around the bear, hold hands, and walk around the bear while singing along to the music.

In the lyrics, there is a part at the end where the bear wakes up; at that point, the bear opens their eyes and starts chasing the children.

When the bear wakes up, the children should immediately let go of each other’s hands and run away.

Whoever is caught becomes the next bear.

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sasashina

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Have fun with variations! The ‘Wild Beast Hunting Game’

To roaring laughter with a twist! The Wild Beast Hunting Game!

In the classic Beast Hunt game, you form groups based on the number of letters in the beast’s name, but this is a remixed version! It starts the same with the leader’s call, “Let’s go hunt beasts!” followed by everyone shouting out weapon names in a call-and-response.

From there, the leader and the children head out to slay the beasts.

There are small beasts and big ones, so choose your weapons as you go and take them down.

The adult acting as the leader will need some performance skills, but kids love pretend battles.

Let your inner child out and have fun together!

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sasashina

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Icebreakers that even elementary school students can enjoy

[Hilarious] Recommended for Elementary School Kids! 5 Icebreaker Ideas for Small Groups (Compilation)

Both children and adults can feel a bit nervous when playing with someone they’re meeting for the first time.

Here are some recommended games for those moments.

For example, there are games like “Rock-Paper-Scissors Catch & Go,” “Mirror Stretch,” “Become a Stick,” and “Stand Up.” There’s also a game called “Guide the Way,” which has three levels so you can gradually increase the difficulty as you play.

By sharing the same goal of cooperating to reach the finish at the end, you might even deepen your bond.