Perfect for killing time! A roundup of games for three people to enjoy
What kinds of games can you play when there are three people—like a close-knit trio, three siblings, or a family of three? Some games are easier with an even number, but once it’s an odd number, certain games get harder to play, right? In this article, we’ll introduce games you can play with your body or hands that work for three people.
We’ve gathered games you can use in various situations: to get some exercise, to burn off extra energy, or to kill time when you have a free moment.
Spend a fun time moving your body and hands together with your children or friends!
- Games you can play with just conversation. Classic and popular activities you can enjoy without any props!
- Games and activities everyone can enjoy together. A collection of fun play ideas.
- A card game for three players. Enjoy mind games and psychological battles!
- Fun activities for junior high school students. Recreation games.
- Brain-teasing game roundup
- Recommended for upper elementary grades! Exciting indoor recreation and games
- [Play Right Away!] Exciting Recreation Games Recommended for Elementary School Students
- [Simple Games] Recommended Indoor Recreational Activities for Adults
- Kill time while waiting or stuck in traffic! A roundup of games four people can play
- Perfect for killing time! Fun games you can easily play on LINE
- Indoor Games for Small Groups: Exciting Recreational Activities
- A collection of simple indoor recreational games
- Recreation Ideas That Truly Excite High School Students! A Fun Collection of Activities
Brain training: fun, mentally challenging games (1–10)
Past and present, East and West
The “Kokon Tozai” game, also known as the “Yamanote Line Game.” Simply put, it’s a game where everyone claps along and answers in rhythm to a given topic.
For example, if the topic is “Kokon Tozai: prefectures!” you take turns naming Japanese prefectures.
If you say a prefecture that doesn’t exist, repeat one that’s already been said, or fail to keep up with the rhythm, you’re out.
Brain training: fun, mind-challenging games (11–20)
Beef Tongue Game
The rules are simple, but the more you play, the harder the “Gyutan Game” gets.
The rules are easy: follow the rhythm “Gyu, tan, gyu, tan, gyu, tan, tan,” and say “gyu” when it’s “gyu,” and clap your hands while saying “tan” when it’s “tan.” However, after “gyu” has appeared three times, the number of consecutive “tan” increases by one each turn.
That’s the tricky part.
You’ll start thinking, “How many times did we say it just now?” “Is this where we add another tan?” “Which one am I supposed to say in the first place?” and it all gets tangled up.
If you say the wrong number or hesitate, you’re out!
Spill-and-you-lose game
@performerouka♬ Original Song – Ouka/ouka – Ouka/ouka
It’s a game where the person who pours water into a cup and makes it overflow loses.
Because players take turns pouring, it works with any number of people as long as there are at least two.
What you use to pour the water is the key point—large bottles that are hard to hold and make the flow unpredictable are recommended.
Since small spills can be hard to notice, it’s easiest to decide the winner by checking whether the paper placed under the cup gets wet.
The fun lies in the tactics of deciding in what state to pass it to the next player.
Expand the abbreviations!
@tokibana_official Expand abbreviations!Shortened RailwayRecreation#gametranslation
♪ Original Song – Celeste [Live Commerce Agent Office] – Tokibana [Official] Live Commerce Office
As a brain-training game for three people, we recommend “Expand the Abbreviation!” One person presents an abbreviation, and the other two take turns answering with the original full term.
For example, if the prompt is “rimokon,” the correct answer would be “remote controller!”—testing both knowledge and intuition.
If no one gets it, adding hints makes it more fun.
Taking turns keeps the pace lively, and after the game you might discover things like “I never thought about the full forms of abbreviations,” which also sparks conversation.
It’s a simple yet deep word-based brain workout that adults and kids can enjoy together.
n-base counting-up game
It’s a game where you change the rules for counting numbers and think about what the count-up sequence would look like.
The usual way we count numbers is called the decimal system, and in this game you convert it to systems like binary, which uses only 0 and 1, or ternary, which uses 0, 1, and 2.
It assumes you know those counting methods exist, but even if you do, it’s hard to picture them smoothly.
Also, if the rule is to count up in order, the rhythm of conversion in your head gets disrupted, which makes it even more difficult.
Three-letter shiritori
For Japanese people, shiritori is a classic game that everyone knows.
“Three-Letter Shiritori” makes that game even more fun.
The basic rules are the same as regular shiritori, but you connect made-up three-letter words.
Because you have to say them with a good rhythm, you’ll find yourself wanting to say real words by mistake—and that’s what makes it funny.
Turn of events game
A consequence game known overseas as “Consequences.” All you need is paper and a pen.
First, fold the paper into thirds or quarters.
Then, starting with the first player and going in order, draw an illustration within the top folded section.
Decide in advance what to draw in each fold: if it’s folded into thirds, from the top it’s head, torso, and legs; if into quarters, it’s head, torso, legs, and shoes.
After each player finishes their part, unfold the paper to reveal the completed piece.
You’re sure to have a blast with the unexpected characters that appear!
