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]
- [Play Right Away!] Exciting Recreation Games Recommended for Elementary School Students
- [Elementary School] Quick and Easy! Indoor Recreational Activities Perfect for Lower Grades
- Fun Indoor Games for Elementary School Kids Without Any Equipment
- [Children’s Club] Easy and fun indoor games. Exciting party games
- Recommended for upper elementary grades! Exciting indoor recreation and games
- [Elementary School Rec] Recommended Games and Performances for a Fun Party
- Elementary School Fun Day a Big Hit! Indoor Game Idea Collection
- [Elementary School] Indoor Games and Recreational Activities Recommended for Upper Primary Grades
- Outdoor games and recreational activities recommended for children
- [For Kids] Exciting Class-vs-Class Games: Team Competition Activities
- A big hit at after-school childcare! A special feature on group games and activities you can play without any equipment
- A simple and fun co-op game that enhances teamwork
Indoor and outdoor activities that avoid crowding. Enjoyable for grades 1 through 6 (41–50)
Let’s try making a tangram
Here’s an idea for making a handmade tangram, a puzzle that’s popular with children.
There are many store-bought options, but you can make one yourself if you have construction paper.
Creating it on your own also leads to discoveries about numbers.
Tangrams let you freely choose colors and shapes while having fun, and they nurture creativity and spatial awareness.
As kids cut out the pieces and arrange them, they naturally develop fine motor skills and concentration.
Completing a figure or making an original design gives them a sense of accomplishment and boosts their confidence.
A handmade tangram isn’t just a toy—it becomes a warm, enriching experience that supports children’s intellectual and emotional growth.
I tried harmonizing on the recorder.
After Gen Hoshino posted on Instagram, saying, “Could someone add instrumental accompaniment, chorus, or dance to this video?”, videos combining singing, dancing, and performances with ‘Uchi de Odorou’ began to spread.
Through video, you can feel like you’re performing together with others while staying at home, and you can practice as many times as you like without worrying about mistakes.
Anyone can do it—so it’s great for children who are beginners on the recorder, and for kids who struggle with the recorder, trying other instruments is also recommended.
Choose your favorite song and have fun!
Rubik’s Cube
A game that feels like puzzle magic: twisting a Rubik’s Cube to make all six faces match.
Each time the colorful faces line up perfectly, it steadily builds your thinking and concentration.
The joy of “I made it this far!” leads to confidence.
By learning the sequences and moves, you also boost your planning skills and memory.
If you play by racing the clock with friends or family, you’ll discover the fun of cooperating and cheering each other on.
Start with just one face—repeat small challenges and enjoy playing!
Ball games you can play alone
Here are five ball games you can play by yourself! First: kick the ball yourself, run, and pass it through your legs.
You’ll use your head, too, as you think about how hard to kick.
Second: toss the ball up and pass it through your arms—moving your body is the key.
Third: balance one ball on top of another and keep it still.
Fourth: hold the ball above your head, bend your body backward, pass it through your legs, and catch it—great for flexibility.
Finally, a game using a hula hoop: while the hoop is spinning, move the ball.
You don’t need to throw or kick hard to have fun with any of these, so give them a try!
Make and Play! Solo Balloon Volleyball
Balloon Volleyball is a game kids can play on their own using a balloon and a rubber band.
It’s fun indoors not only for elementary schoolers but also for younger children.
For example, by connecting balloons with a rubber band, kids can tap or return incoming balloons gently, which helps them control their strength and play safely.
Watching the balloon float softly and chasing it slowly also naturally nurtures focus and a sense of timing.
You can even try kicking it like in soccer—simple tweaks make it a game you can enjoy over and over.
It’s perfect for indoor play, so give it a try!
Traditional playground games techniques
Kendama and spinning tops may seem difficult at first, but when you keep trying and finally succeed, you’ll feel a real sense of “I did it!” As you practice, you steadily develop fine finger movements, body balance, and hand-eye timing—that’s a key benefit.
Focusing while you play also nurtures perseverance and a never-give-up attitude.
If you practice and show off your tricks with friends or family, their “That’s awesome!” will give you courage and confidence.
These toys help both mind and body grow while having fun, so give them a try!
Shrinky dink crafts with everyday materials
Everyday items can actually be used as materials for shrink plastic crafts.
There are many types of plastic, and not all of them will work.
Polystyrene is fine.
Check the symbol on the container carefully when choosing.
Once you find something usable, draw on it just like you would with regular shrink plastic.
Polystyrene cups shrink and crumple into a rounded shape as they bake, which is fun to watch.
Be careful, though—aluminum foil can sometimes stick! You can turn them into coasters or make a toy wristwatch.
Before you throw containers away, be sure to check them and give this a try!
Dodgeball tag
Ball Tag with a Throw is a high-energy indoor game that’s hugely popular in after-school programs.
The rules are simple: the “it” player chases with a ball and tries to tag the others by hitting them with it.
Despite its simplicity, the speed and thrill make it incredibly exciting! Whoever gets hit by the ball becomes the next “it,” so the game keeps changing rapidly and never gets boring.
Using a soft ball makes it safe for indoor play.
In smaller spaces, you can adjust by setting boundaries or requiring shorter strides.
It’s a perfect game to bring out lots of energy and create a lively, fun time.
20 indoor activities you can enjoy even on rainy days
Let me introduce a brain-teasing rule game.
The key point for the kids is to tell them, “Watch carefully.” Then the teacher shows numbers with their fingers, saying, “This is 1, this is 2,” and so on, which naturally makes the children focus on the finger movements.
But here’s the twist! They should also pay close attention to what the teacher says.
The level of excitement changes depending on the themes or rules the teacher sets.
Be sure to have fun playing it together with the kids! It’s also great because you can play it anywhere, like at camp or on a field trip.
Treasure Hunt
A treasure hunt packed with excitement, where you can savor the fun of discovery and the thrill of achievement.
Hide small prizes or cards, give participants clues or a map, and let the search begin.
Tailor the setup to the play area—such as hiding items widely outdoors—to make it even more engaging.
The joy of finding treasure and the frustration of coming up empty both fuel motivation for the next try, nurturing children’s focus, observation, and reasoning skills.
It can be run as an individual or team competition, and a host’s presentation can boost the game-like feel and even create a story-like world.
It’s an adventure-inspiring activity that draws kids in and keeps them engaged of their own accord.
