Indoor and outdoor activities that avoid crowding. Enjoyable for students from first to sixth grade.
Some of you may be looking for games that can be played while maintaining social distance as a way to prevent colds and protect against viruses.
Games that can be played without close contact—such as ones that involve “minimal talking” or “keeping children from getting too close to each other”—are ideal.
In this article, we’ll introduce games that elementary school students from first to sixth grade can enjoy.
We’ve picked a wide range of themes, from activities that can be played in the classroom to ones that let kids move their bodies outdoors.
Try setting different rules for lower and upper grades and give them a go!
- Play ideas kids can enjoy from 1st to 6th grade [indoors & outdoors]
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- Outdoor games and recreational activities recommended for children
- [For Kids] Exciting Class-vs-Class Games: Team Competition Activities
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- A simple and fun co-op game that enhances teamwork
Indoor and outdoor games that avoid crowding. Enjoyable for grades 1 through 6 (31–40)
Balance ball play
A balance ball that elementary school kids can enjoy playing with on their own.
It offers lots of benefits for the body.
By sitting on the soft, springy ball or making light little hops, kids naturally strengthen their core and back, improve posture, and even boost concentration.
For example, “Balance Ball Jumps” is a game where you sit on the ball and do gentle hops.
“Tummy-and-Back Roll” involves lying on your back or stomach on the ball and rolling forward and back; it gently works the abdominal and back muscles, so it’s recommended.
There are many other ways to play too, so get creative and have fun!
Chinese jump rope
Rubber-band jumping is a traditional game that lets children enjoy using their flexibility and sense of rhythm.
A looped rubber band is fixed around the legs of two people, and the jumper hops over the band—above, below, and between it—in various rhythms.
The height and movements vary, starting low and then raising the band to waist or shoulder level to increase the difficulty.
Jumping to a song creates a steady tempo, and everyone around joins in by keeping the rhythm.
There’s no single correct way to jump, which fosters creativity and free thinking.
It’s a smile-filled game whose simple movements and sense of achievement when you succeed appeal to a wide range of ages.
Birdcage play
Birdcage Play is a group game for after-school programs that uses flying-disc toys.
The rules are simple: One child plays the “bird” in the center, while the surrounding children form the “cage.” Players outside the cage throw the disc to one another, keeping the passes going while taking care not to hit the bird in the middle.
The bird moves around trying to catch the incoming disc; if they make a catch, they swap places with the thrower.
The game tests reflexes and throwing accuracy, and the possibility of switching roles adds a fun sense of tension.
You can freely adapt it to the number of players and discs available.
By using soft flying discs and other safety measures, kids can enjoy both the thrill and the physical activity of this game.
kickbase
Many sports involve getting close to your opponent, right? Among them, kickbase is a full-fledged sport you can enjoy while keeping your distance.
Its basic rules are the same as baseball, so it’s easy to picture.
The difference is that in kickbase, you kick a ball that’s pitched underhand.
You don’t need a bat, and if you use a soft ball, even younger elementary school kids can enjoy it.
Try incorporating it into PE classes or recreational activities!
cute ice cream
Here’s how to make a cute treat that even elementary school kids can make! It’s an easy homemade ice pop.
First, prepare your favorite ice pop molds, like the ones sold at 100-yen shops.
Mix one snack-sized yogurt cup with 1 teaspoon of honey.
Pour the mixture into the molds and freeze—your ice pops are ready! If you used animal-shaped molds, you can draw faces using bamboo charcoal powder mixed with a little water.
You can also use a chocolate pen, but it tends to harden and can be hard to draw with.
You can leave out the honey for a less sweet version, so try different flavors and have fun experimenting!
Aquabeads
Aquabeads are easy and fun: just place the small beads on a tray and stick them together with water.
Kids can focus on their own, creating all kinds of shapes and colors at their own pace.
Using their fingertips improves fine motor skills, and thinking about what design to make really expands their imagination.
Plus, there’s no glue or ironing, so cleanup is quick and easy! It’s also great because kids can feel a sense of accomplishment by completing projects on their own.
Once they get used to it, they can even make 3D creations—give it a try!
My First Fake Sweets
Let me introduce some super cute-looking fake sweets.
These days, you can find all kinds of candy-themed items at 100-yen shops, so it’s easy to enjoy.
How about decorating your favorite shaped motifs with whipped cream for sweets deco and adding dragees? You don’t even have to make the motifs yourself to have fun, so it’s perfect for your first fake-sweets project! Thinking about colors and shapes and handling tiny parts helps develop fine motor skills and boosts concentration.
You’ll nurture many abilities while having fun making them, so give it a try!
New block play
Here’s a new way to play: use a construction toy as the base and run a Plarail track underneath like a bridge! It feels like an idea you could have thought of, yet somehow hadn’t.
Construction toys also help nurture children’s thinking skills.
How can we make it taller? Will it collapse? As kids stack blocks while pondering these questions, they start inventing ways to make it sturdier.
Another great point for indoor play is how absorbing it can be—when they’re focused, they can forget the time.
After fixing and rebuilding it over and over, finally completing it with a triumphant “We did it!” brings a huge sense of accomplishment.
If you’ve got these toys at home, give it a try!
Build a full-fledged plastic model
@kisk_cr My 7-year-old son's creative process. It's a video a little over a minute long, and I'd be happy if you could watch the quiet scene of him making things.#CapCutLife with childrenPlastic modelAirplane#7years
♬ soft background music with piano string bells(1283463) – earbrojp
Plastic models are growing in popularity across all ages.
Building detailed kits like airplanes by yourself is especially recommended for elementary school children, as it helps develop dexterity.
Carefully examining the parts and assembling them fosters concentration and thinking skills, and the process of asking “How can I make this work well?” builds problem-solving abilities.
Seeing the finished model and thinking “I made this!” gives a strong sense of pride and boosts confidence.
Kids can also enjoy choosing colors and stickers and adding their own personal touches.
How about making a favorite plastic model as an indoor activity?
Let’s try cat’s cradle!
Cat’s cradle is a game you can enjoy anywhere with just one string! It’s great for kids to play indoors, and you can make various shapes even by yourself.
It might look difficult at first, but with practice you’ll get the hang of it.
Start with easier ones like “Easy Rubber,” then try “Broom” and “Star,” and once you’re used to it, you can even make the advanced “Ladder.” Moving your hands also helps your brain work well.
It’s fun to use the string to come up with and create your own original shapes, too.
You’ll lose track of time playing, so give it a try!