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.
- Heated battles of wits and mind games! A collection of card games for three players
- 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, mind-challenging games (11–20)
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.
No Voiced-Sound Game
Voiced sounds refer to “muddy” sounds like da and ji.
For example, daijoubu and gomen are words that contain voiced sounds.
This game is about having a conversation while banning these voiced sounds.
When you talk, choose a topic and discuss it.
Saying you won’t talk is not allowed.
Remove the voiced sounds and keep the conversation going.
If you answer reflexively, you’ll end up speaking as usual, so be careful.
Announcing that there will be a penalty game for each voiced sound used will make it more thrilling!
Spot the differences
Among brain-training games that multiple people can enjoy, one of the most popular is “spot the difference.” It’s a simple pastime where you carefully compare two pictures to find what’s different, but it’s a deep game that tests your powers of observation and concentration.
With three people, you can compete to see who finds the differences first or work together to figure them out, which broadens the ways to play.
Adding a time limit increases the tension.
The restriction of “only three” differences is especially well-balanced, and the frustration of not being able to find the last one is part of the fun.
It’s a recommended brain-training game that excites players of all ages.
Brain training and fun, mind-stimulating games (21–30)
Infinite Shiritori
@hannariz.haru Only people with a really good memory can do this, lol.#HannariestranslationTranslation
♬ Original song – Hannaries – Hannaries
This is a game of shiritori—where you take the last character of a word and connect it to a new word—that adds a memory element.
Instead of just saying the next word, you also line up all the words that have been said so far and then add the next one.
As the turns progress, it gets harder because you have to recall the sequence of how you got to the current word.
If you keep the turns moving to a rhythm, the difficulty increases but the rhythm helps you remember, so that pattern is recommended.
In conclusion
We introduced some games for three people that use the body and hands—what did you think? We’ve gathered options for both indoors and outdoors, so choose based on where you’ll play and the players’ ages. Move your bodies together and deepen the bond among the three of you!