[Play Right Away!] Exciting Recreation Games Recommended for Elementary School Students
Lively, fun recreation games that get elementary school kids excited! Whether in the classroom or the gym, there are plenty of activities that bring smiles to everyone’s faces.
Here, we’ll introduce fun ideas ranging from team-versus-team cooperative games and brain-teasing hiragana quizzes to active ball tag—everything from no-equipment options to games you can enjoy with simple prep.
These games help deepen friendships and reveal new sides of each other, so be sure to enjoy your time with friends through play!
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Rock–paper–scissors and its variant games (11–20)
Tamaire Hoop Rock-Paper-Scissors
Using items makes it even more exciting! Here’s an idea for a Ball-Toss Hoop Rock-Paper-Scissors game.
When you hear “ball toss,” many people probably think of the equipment used at sports days.
This time, let’s try a version you can easily set up indoors.
All you need are some colored balls and small hula hoops.
As an introduction to the game, it’s a good idea to first give players time to freely toss balls into the hoops.
Ultimately, the activity evolves so that the person who wins rock-paper-scissors within each group gets the role of throwing the balls into the hoop.
Feel free to adapt and arrange the game as you like.
Territory-Janken
There are many ways to play territory-taking with rock-paper-scissors.
In the method shown in the video, only the winner gets to advance, but there are other versions where if you lose, you go back to the end of the line and start over; you run along lines and play rock-paper-scissors when you bump into an opponent; or you designate a “king,” and players who lost and are sitting down can be revived if the king touches them.
It’s nice that it adds physical movement to regular rock-paper-scissors.
Be sure to try out various rock-paper-scissors territory games!
Psychological rock-paper-scissors
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A new kind of invisible rock-paper-scissors! Introducing the idea for “Psychological Rock-Paper-Scissors.” In this game, you face each other with a wall between you so neither can see the other’s hand.
While talking—saying things like “I’m throwing ___” or “Are you throwing ___?”—try to guess what your opponent is putting out.
Until the time limit is up, you can change your hand as much as you like.
When time’s up, who will be winning? It’s a thrilling, heart-pounding way to play.
Rock–paper–scissors game using newspaper
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♪ Original song – toiro After-school Day – toiro After-school Day
Play while visualizing wins and losses! Here’s an idea for a rock-paper-scissors game using newspaper.
When you’re playing rock-paper-scissors, you sometimes wonder how everyone else is doing, right? This time, how about using newspaper to make the results visible as you play? Adding actions beyond just rock-paper-scissors can also boost children’s interest in the game.
The rules are simple: stand on a spread-out sheet of newspaper, and each time you lose, fold the newspaper smaller.
Imagining it as a boat floating on the sea or a bridge over a mountain can make it even more exciting!
Rock-Paper-Scissors Train Game
Introducing the “Rock-Paper-Scissors Train” game.
Move around the room like a freight train to the music.
When the music stops, play rock-paper-scissors with a friend.
The person who loses places a hand on the winner’s shoulder, and together they board the same train and set off.
Repeat the same actions to add more friends to your freight train.
The game is complete when everyone is riding the same train and departs together.
Try speeding up or slowing down the music to match the children’s pace and have fun!
Newspaper Rock-Paper-Scissors
Prepare one sheet of newspaper per person and stand on it.
Play rock-paper-scissors; the loser folds their newspaper in half and stands on it again.
Repeat this process, and the loser’s newspaper will gradually get smaller.
Even if your balance is shaky, as long as you can stay on the newspaper, it’s okay.
Anyone who can no longer stand on their newspaper loses, and the person who can keep standing on it to the end wins.
Don-pappa
This is a game derived from rock-paper-scissors.
Players throw their hands in time with a chant and continue until they get a tie; at the moment a tie occurs, the player who shouts the predetermined phrase first wins.
The name and the chant vary by region, so it can be fun to compare them.