15 Fun Indoor Recess Games & Activities

Are your indoor recess games ready? This is the time of year when rain and snow often keep kids inside, and teachers need fun activities to help them release all that give energy

Instead of playing another movie, why not try some exciting indoor games? We’ve collected some great ideas that our teachers have tested to keep your students active when it’s too cold or wet to go outside.

The Teach Starter team has created a list of our favorite games to help you stay organized when recess moves indoors. Keep reading for fun suggestions that will get kids moving, more, you’re in the gym or the classroom! We’ve also included some other activities to make the time fly by.

Fun indoor recess game

Freeze Dance: Play music while kids dance. When the music stops, they must freeze in place
Balloon Keep-Up: Give each child a balloon and challenge them to keep it in the air without letting it touch the ground.
Simon Says: A classic game where kids only follow instructions that start with “Simon says.”
Indoor Obstacle Course: Use chairs, cushions, and other classroom items to create a fun obstacle course for kids to navigate.
Duck, Duck, Goose: Kids sit in a circle while one child walks around tapping heads, saying “duck” until they pick someone to chase them.
Charades: Kids take turns acting out words or phrases while others guess what they are.
Hula Hooping: If there’s enough space, let kids take turns hula hooping. You can even hold contests to see who can keep it going the longest!
Four Corners: Label four corners of the room with numbers. One child closes their eyes and counts while others choose a corner. The child then calls out a number, and anyone in that corner is out.
Sardines: This is a twist on hide-and-seek. One person hides while everyone else seeks. When someone finds the hider, they join them until everyone is packed into the hiding spot!
Hot Potato: Pass a soft ball around while music plays. When the music stops, whoever is holding the ball is out.

These games will keep kids active and entertained, even when they have to stay indoors

fun indoor recess games for middle school

Capture the Flag (Indoor Version): Divide into two teams and set up designated areas for each. Use soft balls as flags that players can try to capture.
Sardines: A twist on hide-and-seek where one person hides and everyone else seeks. When someone finds the hider, they quietly join them until everyone is hiding together!
Minute to Win It Challenges: Set up quick, fun challenges using everyday items, like stacking cups or moving cookies from your forehead to your mouth.
Dodgeball: A classic favorite! Use soft balls and establish clear boundaries to keep the game safe and enjoyable.
Board Games or Card Games: Set up tables with a variety of board games or card games for students to play in small groups.
Indoor Scavenger Hunt: Create a list of items for students to find around the classroom or school, either individually or in teams.
Charades: A fun game where players act out words or phrases for their teammates to guess, leading to lots of laughter.
Trivia Quiz: Host a trivia game with questions about pop culture, school subjects, and fun facts. Use teams to make it more exciting
Dance Off: Organize a dance competition where students can show off their best moves. Have a panel of judges or let everyone vote for their favorite
Pictionary: Players take turns drawing prompts while their teammates guess what they are drawing. It’s a creative and fun way to play

fun new indoor recess games for 3rd graders:

Animal Charades: Kids take turns acting out different animals while others guess what they are. It’s a great way to get everyone moving and laughing!
Sticky Note Challenge: Give each child a sticky note and let them throw it at a designated spot on the wall, trying to stick as many as they can within a time limit.
Balloon Volleyball: Use a balloon and a makeshift net (like a string or line on the floor) to play volleyball indoors. Teams can take turns serving and scoring points.
Hot Potato: Pass around a soft ball while music plays. When the music stops, whoever is holding the ball is out. Keep going until only one person remains!
Treasure Hunt: Set up a simple treasure hunt with clues hidden around the room. Kids can work in pairs or small groups to find the “treasure.”
Indoor Bowling: Create a bowling game using empty plastic bottles as pins and a soft ball. Kids take turns rolling the ball to knock down the pins.
Simon Says: A classic game where kids only follow instructions that start with “Simon says.” It’s a fun way to keep them active!
Freeze Dance: Play upbeat music and let the kids dance. When the music stops, they must freeze in place. Anyone still moving is out!
Pillowcase Race: Set up a mini obstacle course and have kids race by hopping in pillowcases. It’s silly and a lot of fun!
Human Tic-Tac-Toe: Use tape to create a large tic-tac-toe grid on the floor. Kids can take turns as “X” or “O” by standing in the squares.

These games will keep 3rd graders engaged and having a great time indoors

fun indoor recess games for elementary students:

Freeze Dance: Play music while the kids dance. When the music stops, they have to freeze. Anyone still moving is out!
Balloon Volleyball: Use a balloon and set up a makeshift net (like a string) for a fun game of volleyball.
Simon Says: A classic game where kids follow instructions only if they start with “Simon says.” It’s a great way to get them moving!
Treasure Hunt: Hide items around the room and give kids clues to find the “treasure.” They can work in pairs or small groups.
Indoor Obstacle Course: Create a course using chairs, cushions, and other classroom items for kids to navigate through.
Pillowcase Race: Have kids hop in pillowcases and race across a designated area. It’s a silly and fun way to stay active!
Charades: Kids take turns acting out words or phrases while their classmates guess what they are. It’s always a crowd-pleaser!
Hot Potato: Pass a soft ball around while music plays. When the music stops, whoever has the ball is out. Keep going until one person remains!
Indoor Bowling: Use empty plastic bottles as pins and a soft ball to knock them down. Kids can take turns rolling the ball.
Four Corners: Label four corners of the room with numbers. One child closes their eyes and counts while others choose a corner. If their corner is called, they’re out

These games will keep elementary students active, engaged, and having a great time indoors

Challenge Students to Make Their Own Game

Hand out a blank board game template and have your students work in groups to design their own board games. This activity will encourage critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and you might even end up with some fun new games for those rainy or snowy days when outdoor recess isn’t possible.

Channel Improve With Zip Zap Zoom

Zip Zap Zoom! is an engaging indoor recess game that involves the whole class and helps boost concentration and listening skills. To start, have the students form a circle. One student begins with an imaginary “ball of energy” and passes it to someone else.

Students can change the direction of the “energy” by saying “zip” for a clockwise pass, “zap” for counterclockwise, or “zoom” to send it across the circle.

To add excitement, you can speed up the game or set a 2-minute timer. The goal is to avoid being the last person to receive the pass when the timer goes off

Use Balloons for a Fun Classroom Version of Volleyball

Gather a group of interested students and have them sit in a circle on the floor. Introduce a blown-up balloon into the mix, and the goal is to keep the balloon in the air without letting it touch the ground while they remain seated.

Engage in Chicken Evolution

Engage in Chicken Evolution is a fun and active game that encourages creativity and movement. Here’s how to play:

Setup: Have students spread out in a designated area. Explain that they will start as “chicks.”
Evolution Stages: The game includes several stages of evolution:

Chick: Students begin as chicks, moving around with small, fluttery motions.
Hen: After a moment, call out “Hen!” At this stage, students can spread their arms wide and move with more confidence.
Rooster: Finally, call out “Rooster!” Now, students can strut around, making bold movements and sounds.

Rules:

As you call out each stage, students must quickly switch to the new movement style.
If someone is caught moving like a chick when they should be a rooster, they have to complete a fun challenge (like clucking or hopping).

Duration: Play for a set amount of time, encouraging students to switch between stages as you call them out.

This game is a great way to get kids moving and laughing while they explore different ways to express themselve

Practice Quick-Thinking Games

Arrange your students into groups and give each group a letter of the alphabet. Challenge them to come up with as many words as possible that start with that letter. You can keep it simple or add categories on the whiteboard, such as “animals” or “things found in a school.”

This activity allows students to practice their vocabulary while having fun

Do you have your indoor recess games mapped out yet? It’s that time of year when rain and snow tend to keep kids inside during recess, eating up teachers’ prep periods and sending them scurrying for indoor activities to burn off all that energy their elementary (and middle) schoolers have been building up all morning!

Sure, you could play yet another movie, but maybe you want to try some indoor recess games instead? We’ve got you covered with games our teachers have tested to help your students get some of that much-needed physical activity when it’s too cold or wet for outdoor recess.

The teachers on the Teach Starter team have created a list of some of our favorite games to save your sanity when recess has been moved indoors! Read on for game ideas that will get kids up and moving, whether you’re able to use the gym or everyone is stuck in the classroom! Plus, we’ve included some other activities that will make the recess time pass quickly.

Indoor Recess Games for Rainy Days

Have you planned your indoor recess games yet? With the rain and snow keeping kids inside, it’s the perfect time to prepare some fun activities to help them burn off energy! Instead of showing another movie, why not try some indoor games? We’ve gathered a list of teacher-tested games to keep your students active when outdoor play isn’t possible.

The Teach Starter team has compiled our favorite games to help you manage indoor recess. Whether you’re in the gym or stuck in the classroom, these ideas will get kids moving and make recess enjoyable.

The Importance of Indoor Recess

Recess is essential for kids. When they can run around outside, they develop confidence, improve focus, and learn to socialize. Research shows that about 44% of a school day’s activity happens during recess. Kids need that time to play!

However, when everyone is indoors, it can be challenging to keep them active. Fortunately, structured indoor play can still be effective. For example, a study found that kids using dance videos during indoor recess were physically active for up to 68% of that time.

There are plenty of indoor games that provide an active break from traditional learning, allowing kids to recharge.

Fun Indoor Recess Game Ideas

Here are some engaging indoor games suitable for your classroom, gym, or cafeteria. We have options for younger students and activities that appeal to middle schoolers, too!

1. Eraser Tag

In this lively game, one student writes a classmate’s name on the whiteboard. That student must race to erase their name and tag the writer before they return to the board!

2. Silent Ball

For a quieter game, arrange students in a loose circle. They pass a soft ball without talking. If someone speaks or drops the ball, they’re out. The last student standing wins!

3. New Board Games

Refresh your board game collection! Use manipulatives or mini erasers as game pieces for a new twist on classic games.

4. Create Your Own Game

Print blank board game templates and challenge students in groups to design their own games. This fosters creativity and critical thinking.

5. Masking Tape Games

Use masking tape to create games like tic-tac-toe, hopscotch, or obstacle courses right on the classroom floor. Students can navigate the tape using different movements.

6. Hot Potato with a Twist

In this version of hot potato, students pass a ball around while introducing themselves with “My name is…” and then passing to another student with “Your name is…” The last person holding the ball when the timer goes off is out.

7. Zip Zap Zoom

Form a circle and pass an imaginary “ball of energy.” Students say “zip” to pass clockwise, “zap” to pass counterclockwise, or “zoom” to send it across the circle. Increase the pace for more excitement!

8. Balloon Volleyball

Students sit in a circle and try to keep a balloon in the air without letting it touch the ground.

9. Bob Ball

This game is great for the gym or cafeteria! Students practice throwing and catching a ball over increasing distances, all while avoiding being hit.

10. Chicken Evolution

This fun twist on rock, paper, scissors turns students into “chickens” that evolve into “supreme beings.” It encourages movement and social interaction.

11. Alphabet Word Challenge

Divide students into groups and assign each a letter. Challenge them to list as many words as they can that start with that letter. Add categories like “animals” or “school items” for added fun!

12. Tunnel Ball

In this fast-paced game, students form a line, and the front and end players are active while the middle players stay out of the way. They can zigzag their positions and roll the ball between their legs to the next player

These indoor games will keep students active and entertained, ensuring they have a fantastic time even when stuck inside

15 Fun Indoor Recess Games & Activities That Can Save Teachers’ Day (And Their Sanity)