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
Physical Activity Games and Hand-Clapping/Finger-Play Games (21–30)
The ultimate choice between two options
If you had to choose between two favorite foods, which would you pick? Let’s play a game where you choose between two options, like money or hairstyles.
It gets exciting when you make the choices about things where you love both—or dislike both—and have trouble deciding.
You might be surprised by the unexpected choices your close friends make.
Even within a family, kids and adults might make some surprisingly tough calls.
Pick options that are hard to choose between, and have fun with it!
3-second try!
Introducing the board game “3-Second Try!”, which calls for a spirit of challenge and the ability to judge your own limits.
In this game, when a prompt card is flipped, players declare how many times they can perform the task.
The player who names the highest number earns the right to attempt the challenge and tries it for 3 seconds.
If they succeed, they earn points; if they fail, the right to try passes to the player with the next highest declared number.
The first player to earn 2 points wins.
If you’re confident, you can boldly declare a large number, while opting for a lower number that might strategically bring the challenge back to you is also a valid approach.
human disentanglement puzzle
The human knot game is a simple, crowd-pleasing activity that kids and adults can enjoy together.
Participants form a circle and hold hands—but you must hold hands with people who are not next to you, and you can only hold the same person with one hand.
Without letting go, twist and maneuver your bodies to untangle the human knot.
As everyone talks and works together to solve it, the excitement naturally builds.
When you succeed, the shared sense of accomplishment brings everyone together and strengthens team unity, making this a highly recommended game.
YES/NO Quiz
A key point of “Yes/No Quiz,” where you work toward finding the answer, is that it’s a game enjoyed by splitting into a question master and questioners.
The question master chooses a topic and answers the questioners’ questions with only “Yes” or “No.” The questioners listen to the answers and try to figure out what the topic is.
To narrow down the answer, it’s important for the questioners to think carefully as they ask their questions.
It’s also a great game for team competitions, so let’s all have fun together.
3 fingerplay activities that engage first graders
The first is the classic “after-the-fact Rock-Paper-Scissors.” The leader says “Rock, paper, scissors, shoot!” and throws rock, scissors, or paper.
Participants watch and then play after the leader, aiming to win.
The second is a game called “Pachi-Pachi.” You clap only when the leader’s hands overlap.
Adding feints makes it more exciting.
The third is a game called “How Many Fingers?” The leader quickly shows a number with their fingers, then hides their hands behind their back.
Participants answer the number the leader showed.
Ball games you can play with two people!
Balls are very familiar playthings for children, and the ways to enjoy them are limitless! This time, we’re introducing eight ball games for lower-grade students.
In addition to balls, items like hula hoops are used to help kids improve their physical abilities while having fun.
Basically, children pair up in twos and play by throwing or rolling the ball, or dodging a bouncing ball.
There are also games with sport-like elements—such as Copycat Dribble, Hoop Pass Tennis, and Marker Hockey—so we hope even kids who feel uneasy about ball sports will take this opportunity to get interested.
Imitation shiritori
Participants face each other and stand on one leg.
Decide the order with rock-paper-scissors or similar, and the first person starts the word chain game (shiritori).
The basic rule of linking words stays the same, but after saying a word, you have to do an impression that matches it.
For example, if you say “gorilla,” you might pound your chest with your fists.
Everyone else copies the impression, and the shiritori continues.
It might sound easy, but you must stay on one leg the entire time.
If you lose your balance or can’t continue the word chain, you lose.
late hand in rock-paper-scissors
A normal rock-paper-scissors game is too easy! In that case, try playing “after-the-fact rock-paper-scissors.” The leader plays as usual by saying “Jan-ken-pon” and showing rock, paper, or scissors.
The participants must then respond after seeing it and beat that hand.
Because you have to instantly recognize what the leader showed and choose the winning hand, it’s trickier than it sounds.
A few people will slip up and lose or end in a tie.
Try turning it into a knockout format or speeding it up to increase the difficulty and have fun!
Post-decision rock-paper-scissors according to instructions
This activity requires quick decision-making, and in response to instructions, playing “after-the-fact rock-paper-scissors” also hinges on your ability to concentrate.
The method is simple: participants march in place and play rock-paper-scissors with the instructor.
During the game, the instructor gives commands like “Lose” or “Win,” so participants must think on their feet and choose their hand accordingly.
Keeping a lively tempo makes it even more exciting.
If your response ends up opposite to the instructor’s instruction, you lose on the spot.
Give it a try!
The more people there are, the harder it gets! Finger Catch
The “Finger Catch Game,” which trains your reflexes and lets everyone have fun, is played with everyone standing in a circle.
Put the index finger of your right hand into the open palm of the person to your right, just lightly touching it.
In turn, participants chant, “Ka, ka, ka, catch,” and at the moment someone says “catch,” everyone tries to pull out the finger they had inserted.
At the same time, you must quickly grab the finger that’s been inserted into your own open hand before it escapes.
If you fail to pull your finger out or fail to catch your neighbor’s finger, you’re out.
The last person remaining wins.
The exact timing of saying “catch” is key.
It’s a game that tests concentration, timing, and careful observation of others.