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 Without Equipment (21–30)
Icebreakers that even elementary school students can enjoy
Both children and adults can feel a bit nervous when playing with someone they’re meeting for the first time.
Here are some recommended games for those moments.
For example, there are games like “Rock-Paper-Scissors Catch & Go,” “Mirror Stretch,” “Become a Stick,” and “Stand Up.” There’s also a game called “Guide the Way,” which has three levels so you can gradually increase the difficulty as you play.
By sharing the same goal of cooperating to reach the finish at the end, you might even deepen your bond.
Look that way, hoi!
There’s a game called “Acchi Muite Hoi” that can be considered a variation of rock-paper-scissors.
Acchi Muite Hoi is based on traditional parlor games and has long been loved by the Japanese.
Its appeal lies in the excitement of quickly pointing a finger in some direction at the cue of “Acchi muite hoi,” and the thrill of deciding which way to turn your face.
By the way, in the original version, if the direction of the finger and the direction the face turns match, the pointer wins, but there’s also a rule set where the pointer loses.
That version is called “Kocchi Muite Hoi.”
You can play it in the classroom too! Haiihadon
Sit in a circle and stack your left hands in order.
Decide the order, and when someone says “Hai,” the person whose hand is at the very bottom moves it to the very top.
When they say “Iha,” the person whose hand is at the very top keeps it at the top.
When they say “Don,” the person with the bottom hand lightly taps everyone’s hands from above.
Through this game, children develop concentration, quick reactions, and a sense of unity with those around them.
It’s a game that fills the classroom with laughter even when mistakes happen and instantly livens things up.
No tools or preparation are needed, so you can start right away.
It’s recommended as a quick communication activity for class recreation or morning time.
Adults can enjoy it together, too.
Mukkuri Kuma-san!
“Mukkuri Kuma-san” is a game of tag where you can enjoy music and singing.
First, choose one person to be “it” (the bear), and the others will be the children who run away.
The bear sits down and covers their face with both hands.
The children form a circle around the bear, hold hands, and walk around the bear while singing along to the music.
In the lyrics, there is a part at the end where the bear wakes up; at that point, the bear opens their eyes and starts chasing the children.
When the bear wakes up, the children should immediately let go of each other’s hands and run away.
Whoever is caught becomes the next bear.
Fun for elementary school kids! 5 indoor activities
Indoor recreational activities that you can enjoy for short periods of time—such as on rainy days—are perfect for exercising both the mind and body, since the rules and movements vary by game.
Plus, enjoying each game by working together as a team helps energize communication among participants.
Competing with friends and enjoying games also leads to discussing strategies and experiencing the emotions of winning and losing.
Experiencing fun, joy, and even frustration through physical activity is recommended for fostering a positive mindset.
Colorful Ninja Game
Let me introduce the “Color Ninja Game,” which incorporates ninja moves that kids love.
After everyone makes a ninja-like motion as if throwing shuriken—“shoo, shoo!”—someone gives a prompt that includes a color, and the next person answers.
The great thing is you can play without any equipment.
Pick a starting point and keep the action moving along—it looks like it would be a lot of fun.
Once you get used to it, speeding it up increases the difficulty and excitement.
It’s a game that brings smiles to everyone with the spontaneous, funny prompts and answers.
Beef Tongue Game
No tools or prep needed! Here’s an idea for the “Gyutan Game.” Gyutan means beef tongue, a popular cut at yakiniku restaurants.
This game uses your hands and voice.
Put your hands together and hold them out in front—ready to start! Say “gyu” out loud, and for each “tan,” one person claps in turn.
The first round rhythm is “gyu-tan gyu-tan gyu-tan-tan.” From the second round on, the number of “tan” at the end increases by one each time.
It’s simple, but it’ll trip you up and get everyone laughing!