45 Fun Indoor Recess Games for Kids

When the weather outside is dreary and students need to stay inside for recess, you don't need to sit with your hands in your hair wondering what fun game to play with them. Here are 45 indoor recess ideas guaranteed to help your kids enjoy the outside and perhaps learn a thing or two along the way!

1. Would You Rather?

Create a line down the middle of the classroom and have the students line up on top of it. Ask “would you rather” questions and get them to hop to one side or the other. “Would you rather eat moldy macaroni or sugar-covered spiders?” The more outrageous your questions are the more kids will have to think about their answers and kids will want to play this indoor recess activity over and over again.

2. Find It Fast

Students gather together and wait for you to call out a descriptor. Prompt them to “find something round” or “find something hard” and watch them scramble around the class to find an item. You can scatter a few items around beforehand to make it easier.

3. Museum Guard

This alternative to “red light, green light” or "freeze dance" is perfect to play indoors as there is no running involved. The “museum guard” turns his back to the class and the other students take their positions as statues. When his back is turned the statues come to life but when the guard turns around, students must freeze or face being the next guard.

4. Musical Chairs

This classic game never fails to amuse in the classroom. If actual chairs make the classroom too crowded, try chair-less musical chairs and have students sit on laminated cardstock on the ground. This eliminates any potential injury with the chairs as the adrenaline when rushing to find a seat takes over.

5. Pass the Rubber Chicken

A rubber chicken is always a winner amongst the students. Use the chicken as a timer as students pass it in a circle before another student can completely answer a question. Questions like “Name 7 mammals” are perfect and will give the students a chance to pass the chicken around the circle. If the speaking student cannot complete the task in time, they will have to do the chicken dance. Show them an interactive video to learn the dance beforehand.

6. Fly Swatter

This highly customizable game sees students compete in 2 teams. Teams line up and the students in front each get a flyswatter. On the blackboard, you can add possible answers to your questions for example numbers, colors, or names. As a question and students race to swat the correct answer on the board. You can also use a squishy ball that students can throw at the correct answer if you want to avoid running.

7. Human Knot

One student takes the hands of two different students. They then in turn take the hands of other students. The aim is to form a human knot as their arms become entwined. Once they are all knotted up, they must try and undo the knot without breaking the chain. They can go under or over and twist in any direction but they must continue holding hands.

8. Movement Memory

Each student gets a chance to add a movement to a chain of movements. Student 1 can clap their hands. Student 2 will then clap their hands and turn around. Student 3 will copy both actions and add a third. See how far the chain can continue without any mistakes. You can also replace movements with words and let students list things to take on a picnic or holiday.

9. Hot or Cold

Hide a treasure in the class while one student, the treasure hunter, waits outside. When the student returns, the rest of the class can give them clues as to where the treasure is by telling them if they are hot or cold.

10. Stop the Bus

Divide the class into teams and hand each team a paper with the headings “name”, “place”, “animal”, and “thing” on it. This template for students can also change if you want to incorporate topics you are currently learning about. Randomly choose a letter from the alphabet and let students race to write down one thing in each category starting with that letter. The first team to complete their table must yell “Stop the bus!”

11. Charades

This classic party game is perfect if you want students to practice the work they have been studying. Let them act out animals, historical figures, book titles, and more. Students take turns to mime the names and will be eliminated if they speak.

12. Four Corners

Put up a sheet of paper in each corner of the class, each with a number or color on it. One student stands in the middle with their eyes closed. The rest of the students scramble to choose one of the four corners. The student in the middle calls out one of the corners while their eyes are still closed. All the students in that corner are then illuminated. The game continues until you have found the last man standing.

13. 100 Cup Challenge

Groups get given 100 plastic cups (or less if you don’t have so many) and are told to create the tallest structure possible. To make it more difficult you can give specifications like “the structure must support some weight”.

14. The Floor is Lava

Place pieces of paper on the floor. Make them different sizes and place them at alternating distances. Students must cross the room by only stepping on the papers or risk falling into boiling lava! You can use other materials such as tape, pillows, beams, etc. to make it more interesting. Use a Twister spinner to determine colors the students should step on for added difficulty.

15. Balloon Wrangling

Divide the class into teams and assign each team a color. Students must try and wrangle their colored balloons into a corner but the balloons cannot touch the ground. You can give them paper plates to wave the balloons into the air for an added level of difficulty. They must stay in the air at all times and teams can interfere with each other’s balloons. Will they choose the path of sabotage or will they work as a team to complete their task?

16. Balloon Volleyball

Hang a piece of string in the middle of the class that will act as the volleyball net. The class is split into two teams and there is one balloon used as a ball. Teams must hit the balloon back and forth and keep it from touching the ground. If a team manages to hit the balloon to the ground on the other side of the net they will win a point. This is a great active game to let them burn off some excess energy before they hit the books again.

17. Playdough Pictionary

Give students a short time to construct something out of playdough and have the rest of the class guess what they have made. Thirty seconds to a minute is all you need. It is not enough to create a work of art but the artsy students will get mighty creative in such a short time.

18. Heads Up, 7Up

Seven students are chosen to stand in the front. All other students close their eyes and put their heads down and one thumb up. The 7 standing students then roam around the class each picking one student to put their thumb down. Once they are done, the teacher says “heads up, 7 up” and the seven seated students stand up. They have to guess who picked them. If they guess correctly they can swap places with that student. This game can last forever!

19. Indoor Obstacle Course

Create an obstacle course with pillows, hoops, chairs, tables, and more. Students have to make their way through in the allotted time. You can also blindfold one student and have the others explain to them how to make their way through the obstacles. This will target their motor skills and coordination.

20. Judge

One student stands in front with their back to the class. The teacher points to one student who has to say “Hello, Mr. Judge” and the student in front has to guess who it is. Students can try to disguise their voices to make it more difficult. Mr. Judge has to then guess who spoke to them. If they are correct, they can stay in front. If they are wrong they swop with the student that tricked them. See who can identify most of their classmates correctly.

21. Glow in the Dark Ringtoss

This game is perfect when it's dark and stormy outside. Connect some glow sticks and place one glowstick in a jar as your target. Let kids throw different-sized rings at the target for a safer alternative to horseshoe throwing!

Learn more: Passion for Saving

22. Mafia

This classic party game can easily be translated into a class setting and is a favorite among students of many ages. The card game is for up to 36 players so everyone can join in the fun, trying to bluff their way out of being convicted. If you don't have the physical game, you can still adapt the game to work in a class setting by writing rolls on paper or using a deck of playing cards.

Learn more: Amanda Write Now

23. Rock Paper Scissors Tag

This game is high-energy and fast-paced and is perfect if you have a gym or large indoor space. Students line up in the middle and play a quick-fire game of rock paper scissors. The winner will then chase the loser to the other side of the room and try to catch them before the loser reaches the other side.

Learn more: Youth Ministry Great Games

24. Rock paper Scissors Hoop Hop Showdow

This is another excellent indoor recess game involving rock paper scissors. Students hop along the line of hoops, one child from each side. Once they meet, they challenge each other to a game and the loser has to return to the beginning. They then hop again until they meet and get to challenge each other.

Learn more: The World Rock Paper Scissors Association

25. Minute to Win it

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Set up a series of games that students need to complete, each in under a minute. These games are fast-paced and keep give everyone the chance to compete in the team. Activities vary from magnet fishing to unboxing a wrapped up present or unfurling a rubber band ball.

Learn more: iGame Mom

26. Baloon Hokey

Playing a competitive sport is a fun way to involve the whole class and build some team spirit but they aren't necessarily indoor friendly. This version of hockey is perfect for kids, young and old, and is totally safe to play indoors.

Learn more: Creative Connection for Kids

27. Paper and Straw Game

This game is fast, fun, and competitive. Cut up pieces of colored paper and scatter them on a table. Teams can then only use a straw to suck up their color and drop it into a bowl. Let students play in teams or in brackets as part of a championship to find the ultimate recess winner.

Learn more: Raising Dragons - Activities For Kids

28. Paper Plane Race

Put the students' engineering skills to the test by holding a good old-fashioned paper plane race. They can test different materials and styles of folding to see which one stays airborne the longest.

Learn more: Meaningful Mama

29. Jeopardy

Create a fun, non-academic Jeopardy Game, everyone's favorite TV game show in your own class. Use trivia about the students or their favorite topic outside of the class as the theme and see who knows their classmates the best.

Learn more: Jeopardy Labs

30. Zip Zap Zoom

Zip Zap Zoom is a super simple game that will test each student's listening abilities. There are just three commands, each allowing the students to pass an imaginary ball of energy around. Zip lets them pass it in a clockwise direction, zap lets them pass it in a counter-clockwise direction, and zoom lets them pass it across the circle.

Learn more: Asphalt Green

31. Yoga

Recess is a time to get active and release some energy. A structured classroom yoga session is a perfect way to ensure kids burn some energy while having fun. With some luck, they will return to their lesson cool, calm, and collected too!

Learn more: Cosmic Kids Yoga

32. Learn a Magic Trick

Use an indoor recess to teach kids a fun new skill like doing a magic trick. There are tons of easy card games or coin tricks that they will be able to pick up. They might not be able to fool their classmates but kids will love taking their new skill home and impressing the family!

Learn more: Whats Up Moms

33. Learn Origami

Show the kids some of the amazing origami videos on the web and teach them how to make dogs, flowers, and swans. Not only is origami folding a fun calming activity but it also teaches them valuable listening and focus skills and shows them how to pay attention to detail. One wrong fold and it's a mess!

Learn more: Origami - Craft TV

34. Feed the Woozle

If there is one rainy day board game to invest in, this is the one. It is kooky and will get kids moving and laughing as they try to feed the hungry Woozle. It is for kids above 3 but even much older kids love the challenge and in a class setting, kids can play in teams instead of just 5 as suggested by the directions.

Learn more: Game Cows

35. Bean Bag Toss

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A classic game of bean bag toss or corn-hole is a great way to fill an indoor recess session. To ramp up the fun, create an easy-themed game by making a custom bean bag toss set or decorating the cornhole according to a theme.

Learn more: Me and My Inklings

36. Marble Run

Create an elaborate marble run throughout recess. Kids can release the marble just before class starts to see if their creation was a success. use building blocks, lego, books, and any other random objects found around the class.

Learn more: Oskars Wooden Ark

37. Learn a Clap Routine

Learning elaborate handshakes or clapping routines seems to be a lost art. Let kids rediscover this fun pass time and make up their own clap routines or shakes that they can impress their friends with.

Learn more: Full-Time Kid

38. Learn String Tricks

Another old-school activity that kids would love to learn is creating shapes with string. Knot two ends of a string together to form a loop practice making a star, teacup, and the Eiffel Tower with string, or practice a 2-person routine.

Learn more: Amazing Kids Toys

39. Learn a Cup Routine

Kids will never get enough of learning a choreographed routine. Instead of a lengthy dance routine, opt for this easy-to-learn rhythmic cup routine that kids can quickly pick up and perform together as a class.

Learn more: Musicroom UK

40. Indoor Scavenger Hunt

Print out a scavenger hunt that needs no prep. This list is guaranteed to contain items that are already strewn around the classroom and kids can even find different items to match the descriptions.

Learn more: Thrifty Northwest Mom

41. Drawing Tutorial

These quick drawing tutorials are fun lessons kids can do during an indoor recess. They will learn to draw a variety of cute doodles that you will most probably see pop up on all their future assignments!

Learn more: Art for Kids Hub

42. Kahoot!

Kahoot is always a classic and will have kids begging for more. Choose a non-academic quiz to just let kids have fun or tie it in with a lesson covered earlier in the day to use recess time constructively. Either way, kids will love this times quiz challenge.

Learn more: Kahoot

43. Indoor Bowling

Host a quick bowling tournament in class with a DIY set of pins. Collect pringle cans or coke bottles over time and stick numbers on them to give them value. This is easy to set up and not messy or too noisy, the perfect indoor recess game!

Learn more: Pre School Toolkit

44. Bingo!

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Find a fun free printable bingo template with numbers or pictures to keep kids busy during recess indoors. Choose a themed printout or stick to numbers, depending on the level of the kids.

Learn more: Bugaboo City

45. Indoor Golf

Kids can practice their put during an indoor recess with this easy setup. Once you have created this 5-hole target you can use it over and over, letting kids practice their short game while stuck indoors.

Learn more: A Girl and A Glue Gun

Frequently Asked Questions

What do you do for indoor recess?

When students have to stay inside for recess, it is important to get them active with some awesome movement activities and allow for enough time for brain breaks. Play games where they can get active whether it is with a dance or running from one side of the class to the other. This is also a time where students should interact in teams and develop some social skills.