Get the excitement going indoors! Winter activities that both kids and adults can enjoy
Precisely because it’s a cold winter, it’s nice when kids and adults alike can gather and enjoy games that warm both body and soul.
There are plenty of ideas—from lively activities you can play indoors with a big group while staying cozy, to games that incorporate winter-only experiences.
Here, we’ll introduce a wide range of options: from classic tag, to family-friendly venues, to indoor ways to enjoy winter traditions.
Spend a special time with friends and family, making the most of what only winter can offer!
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Get excited indoors! Winter activities that both kids and adults can enjoy (11–20)
Rolling dodgeball
If you want to move your body a lot and warm up, we recommend this game: Rolling Dodgeball.
In regular dodgeball, you set up a rectangular court and throw the ball, but in rolling dodgeball, as the name suggests, you roll the ball.
The rule is to roll the ball from outside a circle instead of a square, and the people inside the circle try to avoid getting hit.
The way to play is simple, and it doesn’t hurt even if the ball touches you, so even small children can enjoy it.
Let’s keep active through play and stay energetic even during the cold winter!
Balloon volleyball
Let me introduce “Balloon Volleyball,” which is perfect for when you want to get moving and play indoors! Unlike regular volleyball, it uses a balloon, so you don’t have to worry about damage if it hits people or furniture.
Because it floats and moves unpredictably, you also get the fun excitement of not knowing where it will land.
Even if you hit it hard, it won’t go fast, so small children can play safely and enjoyably.
Plus, if you wrap vinyl tape all the way around the balloon, it gains weight and transforms into a bouncier ball, so it’s fun to make different versions and compare them.
Give it a try for inspiration!
Mikan Art
When you think of winter, you think of mandarins, right? I bet many of you end up absentmindedly eating them when they’re sitting on the kotatsu.
The usual way to peel them is to start from the stem or the bottom and peel in a radial pattern, but how about having some fun with the way you peel them? If I say that, I might get scolded with, “Don’t play with your food!”—but since we’re peeling and eating them anyway, let’s allow ourselves a little leeway.
Try peeling from the middle, or peel them in a way that makes them easy for everyone to share.
Let’s enjoy eating while showing off our own unique peeling styles.
two-person cat’s cradle
When it comes to classic indoor winter games, ayatori (string figures) is a favorite.
Here we introduce the two-person version, “Futari Ayatori.” You and your partner take turns forming shapes like a boat, rice field, diamond, and more.
Once you remember how to take the string and the order of the shapes, it’s a game even young children can enjoy.
On winter days when you can’t play outside, try it with family, siblings, or friends.
The key to two-person ayatori is to keep the string taut so your partner can grab it easily.
If the string is slack, it’s harder to take and you’ll likely make mistakes, so be careful.
How many people can fit?
Winter is cold! It makes you want to cuddle up with someone, doesn’t it? At times like that, how about this game? If you have a plastic bag, you can play it.
It’s great because you can do it both outside and indoors.
Split into teams and see how many people can stand on a plastic bag.
You can make the team with the most people on the bag the winner, or cut the bag in half, have everyone get on, and then make the team that stays on the longest the winner.
You can adjust the size of the bag to match the number of players and their ages, so it’s fun in all kinds of situations.
Non-melting snow play
A must-see for anyone who wants to enjoy snow-themed play with kids in the cold winter! Here’s a fun, melt-free snow activity with a fascinating, mysterious texture.
It’s super easy to make! First, put 100 g of baking soda on a tray.
Next, add a little hair conditioner to the tray bit by bit—use about the size of a 100-yen coin as a guide.
Be careful not to add too much conditioner.
Finally, squeeze it firmly in your hand; if it holds its shape, it’s done.
It’s great that you only need two ingredients.
Unlike real snow, it doesn’t melt, so kids can play with it over and over.
They can squeeze it to make dumpling shapes or rice balls, enjoy the crumbly texture, or even try adding color with paint—it all sounds fun.
Give it a try!
Science Center
If you’re looking for activities you can do indoors that are also educational, a “science center” might be just the thing.
It’s a place that kids will love, of course, but adults can enjoy as well, making it a great option for families.
Science centers often have lots of attractions, so the hands-on experiences are another big plus.
Pottery
When you think of pottery, it can feel a bit intimidating, right? But these days, many pottery studios offer one-day trial classes that you can experience.
Even if there isn’t one nearby, why not make a small outing of it and go by car or train? Pottery includes both wheel-throwing and hand-building, and both are very deep crafts—once you start, kids and adults alike will likely get absorbed.
It’s bound to be a fun, memorable experience.
Another great thing about pottery is that, while it takes time including the firing, you can use what you made at home yourself.
Who knows—you might get hooked and turn it into a hobby!
Fruit picking
When you hear “fruit picking” in winter, you might imagine it being cold.
It’s true that picking fruit outdoors in winter can be quite chilly, but if it’s fruit that can be grown indoors, like strawberries, you can enjoy it in a warm environment.
Since there’s also the fun of eating, it’s recommended for food lovers as well.
Ninja experience
Who hasn’t wanted to become a ninja and try throwing shuriken? So how about an experience where both adults and kids can all try being ninjas together? These are offered at tourist attractions that serve as settings for period dramas and in ninja villages—and of course you can rent exciting ninja costumes that really get you in the mood.
You can even try things like the art of concealment and trick houses—so cool, right? Honestly, it might be the adults who get more hyped and overexcited…