Fun Indoor Games for Elementary School Kids Without Any Equipment
Looking for easy indoor games? Don’t miss this! In this article, we introduce indoor games for elementary school children that don’t require any equipment.
We’ve gathered a variety of activities—from energetic movement games you can enjoy indoors to word-based games.
Since you don’t need to prepare anything, they’re perfect for when you want to play right now! They’re also great for rainy days, extreme heat when it’s hard to go outside, or when it’s difficult to prepare enough supplies for everyone.
Give these a try and enjoy fun, never-boring time indoors!
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[For Elementary School Kids] Fun Indoor Games You Can Play Without Any Equipment (1–10)
Without Katakana
We use katakana for many names in daily life.
Katakana is familiar, but let’s try playing without using it.
First, show items that have katakana names and have people describe them without using katakana.
For example, for “pen,” someone might answer, “something you write with that isn’t a pencil.” It’s a game where you shift your thinking a bit, describe the given topic without using katakana, and have others guess.
If the topic is “game,” you could describe it as “something where you use your fingertips to control characters on the screen.” From there, everyone tries to guess the topic together.
Explaining with your current vocabulary makes for a good brain exercise.
Knee Touch Game
Let me introduce a knee-touch game that’s simple yet surprisingly deep.
First, two people stand facing each other, bend their knees slightly, and hold one hand together.
At the start signal, they begin to move, and the first person to touch the opponent’s knee wins.
It may sound easy, but touching your opponent’s knee while protecting your own is quite a challenge.
Use your explosiveness and reflexes to play.
It’s also recommended as a game where you can enjoy feints and strategy.
The Falling-Falling Game
This is the “Ochita, Ochita” game where your gesture changes depending on what’s falling.
If it’s an “apple,” you make a catching pose with your hands; if it’s a “fist,” you cover your head; if it’s “lightning,” you hide your belly button.
As the tempo speeds up, the difficulty increases.
Besides these three, you can also create your own original words and poses to make it even more fun!
[For Elementary School Kids] Fun Indoor Games Without Any Equipment (11–20)
Evolution Rock-Paper-Scissors
Introducing Evolution Rock-Paper-Scissors you can enjoy while moving your body! Start face-down and play rock-paper-scissors with your opponent.
If you win, you “evolve” to all fours, then to standing.
If you lose, you “devolve,” so there’s plenty of suspense! The key is that you can play strategically.
It also helps build fitness, so parents can feel at ease.
It’s a perfect indoor game for rainy days or scorching heat when playing outside is tough.
No equipment needed—you can start right away.
Get everyone hyped and have a great time together!
Magical Banana
“Magical Banana” is a no-equipment game you can enjoy indoors! It’s perfect for when you want to liven things up with close friends or family.
You start by asking, “Magical Banana—when you think of banana, what comes to mind?” and then everyone keeps saying associated words in turn.
If you miss the rhythm or repeat a word, you lose.
The blend of competition and laughter is just right, delivering maximum fun in a short time.
This game sparks both imagination and quick thinking, so add it to your indoor play options.
Even on rainy days or during a heat wave, you can have a great time with family and friends!
A game about finding the correct moves
Act out the prompt’s movement and have others guess it.
For example, if the prompt is “forward roll,” the guesser should try various movements that come to mind.
The children around, who know the prompt, should react to each movement.
Decide in advance how to react when the movement is close to the prompt—for example, by cheering.
Using those reactions, the guesser narrows down the correct answer.
It’s also fun to have multiple guessers or to play team versus team.
You don’t need any materials, it’s a simple game, and it’s sure to get everyone excited.
riddle
Riddles that are popular with everyone from small children and elementary schoolers to adults.
It’s great that you can enjoy questions tailored to different ages.
For example: “What ‘ki’ flies through the sky at incredible speed?” “What ‘ki’ changes color to red, blue, and yellow?” You can group them by sounds/letters, or do fruit-themed ones like “Which fruit is hidden in ‘ka ki ku ke ko’?” and “babababababa—what fruit is it?” That “What will it be next?” sense of excitement really gets everyone going.
It’s also fun to set time limits, make it a team competition, or come up with penalty games!
