Elementary School Fun Day a Big Hit! Indoor Game Idea Collection

Enjoy instantly! “Shingenchi Game”

[Let’s Play! Indoor Games] A “Shingenchi Game” you can start right away with friends and family

Choose one person from the players to be the guesser.

The remaining members decide who will be the “epicenter,” then either stand in front of the guesser or form a circle with the guesser at the center.

At the start signal, the epicenter naturally strikes a pose—anything is fine, such as folding their arms, switching their pivot foot, or scratching their head.

The other members, with a slight delay, imitate the epicenter’s pose.

The guesser must observe who started the pose and identify the epicenter.

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sasashina

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Play the Signal Game Indoors!

A simple game you can play in your room: 'Traffic Light Game'

The “Traffic Signal Game,” where everyone follows the leader’s instructions, is a play activity that can help develop the ability to listen carefully and the judgment to act immediately.

When the signal is blue, take one marching step; when it’s yellow, shake your head left and right and look around; when it’s red, squat down.

Listen closely to which color the leader calls and act accordingly.

If the leader calls a color other than the three, everyone says “nai-nai” (meaning “no such color”).

There’s no winning or losing in this game, so just have fun moving your body!

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sasashina

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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.

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sasashina

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3 fingerplay activities that engage first graders

[A Must-See for Teachers] 3 Hand Games That Captivate 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.

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sasashina

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Tamaire Hoop Rock-Paper-Scissors

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.

Werewolf game

When we tried playing Werewolf with the children...

A casual twist using boxes! Here’s an idea for a Werewolf game.

The classic Werewolf game has various roles and somewhat complex rules, right? But this box-based version is simple and easy to enjoy, making it perfect for events like kids’ gatherings! All you need are four cardboard boxes with hand-sized holes and three items to place inside the boxes.

Only one person gets an empty box, and the key is to read the room and act in a way that doesn’t reveal you’re the werewolf.

Give it a try!

Reflex Game

[Hand Game Fun for Elementary Kids] Quick Reaction Game

We’d like to introduce an idea for a group game called the “Quick-Reaction Game,” perfect for after-school programs because the rules are simple and you can adapt it freely.

The basic rule is: when the leader meows like a cat (“meow”), the children must immediately raise their hands.

That alone is simple, but by mixing in feints—like a dog’s bark or a wolf’s howl—you add just the right amount of thrill and laughter.

You can also use instruments instead of animal sounds.

For example, the bell sound means correct, while castanets or a tambourine indicate a trick.

Using familiar instruments makes it fun while building focus and reaction speed.

It’s a highly adaptable, recommended game that you can play over and over, adjusting for different ages and group sizes.

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kojifumi

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