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)
Matchstick Puzzle
You often see matchstick puzzles on quiz shows and the like, right? You form numbers with matches, set up an addition or subtraction equation, and then “move just two sticks to make it correct,” that sort of thing.
It looks simple, but once you get hooked, it’s surprisingly tricky to solve.
There are also patterns with shapes rather than equations.
If you have toothpicks or matches on hand, they make for a great way to pass the time!
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!
Stick Erasing Game
The stick-erasing game is played by taking turns erasing vertical lines drawn in a pyramid shape; whoever ends up with the last remaining line on their turn loses.
All you need is a pencil and paper, so you can even play it at school.
The key rule is that any vertical lines aligned in a single horizontal row can be erased together.
For example, if there are five lines in a row and you erase the middle three, the two on the sides remain.
That means it will necessarily take at least two more turns to erase those two.
By using this mechanism to control the turn order, you aim to maneuver your way to victory.
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.
