The weather outside is frightful,
But inside our game is delightful.
And since we can’t go out to play
Here are some indoor games for today.
This is a great game to quiet children and build memory skills. The first child gets up and touches an object and then sits down. The second child gets up, touches the first object, then touches an additional object. The third child touches the first object, second object, and adds a third object. The game continues as classmates touch what the previous children have touched in sequential order and then add a new item. When a child forgets, simply begin the game all over again.
Four Corners (This is the BEST indoor game ever!)
Number each of the corners in the room ~ 1, 2, 3, 4. (You can write the numerals on paper and hang them up if you want.) Choose one person to be “it.” “It” hides their eyes and slowly counts from one to ten as the rest of the class tiptoes to a corner in the room. When “it” says “freeze,” everyone must be in a corner. “It” then calls out a number (1, 2, 3, or 4) and the children in that corner are out of the game. They sit down in the “stew pot” in the middle of the room. “It” counts to ten again as everyone moves to a new corner. The game continues until there is one person left. That person becomes the new “it.”
Hint! Shorten the game by having “it” call out two corners at a time.
*If there is no one in the corner, ask “it” to call out another number.
*Label the corners with sight words or vocabulary words.
Detective
One child is the “detective.” The detective describes a “missing child” (classmate), giving their eye color, hair color, description of clothing, likes, etc. The first person to identify the missing child gets to be the new detective.
Hint! Here is another variation of this game. Send the detective out in the hall. Select one child and hide him or her under your desk or behind a shelf. The detective returns to the classroom and tries to identify the missing child. (You can also let two children exchange seats and see if the detective can spot the switch.)
Hot Potato
You can use a small ball, bean bag, or stuffed animal for this game. Children sit or stand in a circle. Children begin passing the “hot potato” (ball or bean bag) around the room when the music starts. Explain that it is a “hot potato” and they need to pass it quickly to the next friend. When the music stops, the one holding the “hot potato” is out of the game and must leave the circle. If two children are holding it they are both out. The last child remaining is the winner. Begin the game again.
You will need a small, soft ball for this game. Explain that the object of the game is to see how many times you can toss the ball without talking. Look at the person you are throwing the ball to so they will be ready. Silently count how many times we can throw the ball without talking or dropping it. If someone talks or drops the ball, then the game begins all over again.
Tower Topple
This game is similar to Jenga. Have children get a block and then sit in a circle. The first child begins building the tower by placing her block in the middle of the circle. The second child places his block on top of hers...The game continues as children try to build the tower higher and higher. When it falls over every shouts "tower topple" and the game begins again.
Going On A Trip
The first player begins by saying, “I’m going on a trip and I’m taking (names an object).” Second player says, “I’m going on atrip and I’m taking (names first object and names a second
object).” Next child says, “I’m going on a trip and I’m taking(names first object, second object, and names a third object).” The game continues as each player tries to remember previous
objects. When a player forgets, begin the game all over again.
This game is similar to Jenga. Have children get a block and then sit in a circle. The first child begins building the tower by placing her block in the middle of the circle. The second child places his block on top of hers...The game continues as children try to build the tower higher and higher. When it falls over every shouts "tower topple" and the game begins again.
Going On A Trip
The first player begins by saying, “I’m going on a trip and I’m taking (names an object).” Second player says, “I’m going on atrip and I’m taking (names first object and names a second
object).” Next child says, “I’m going on a trip and I’m taking(names first object, second object, and names a third object).” The game continues as each player tries to remember previous
objects. When a player forgets, begin the game all over again.
*You can also name objects in alphabetical order. For example, the first person says something that begins with an “A,” the second person names something that begins with a “B,” and so on.
Change the game to “going on a picnic,” “going to the moon,” etc.
Penny ~ Penny
One person is “it.” “It” chooses three friends to leave the classroom. While the three are out of the room, “it” walks around the room and places a penny in one child’s hands. All the children
cup their hands as if they are holding the penny. The three children are then called back into the classroom. The three walk around the room opening hands until one finds the penny and says, “Penny, penny, I found the penny!” That child then becomes “it” and the game continues.
One person is “it.” “It” chooses three friends to leave the classroom. While the three are out of the room, “it” walks around the room and places a penny in one child’s hands. All the children
cup their hands as if they are holding the penny. The three children are then called back into the classroom. The three walk around the room opening hands until one finds the penny and says, “Penny, penny, I found the penny!” That child then becomes “it” and the game continues.
*Let children hide a seasonal toy, such as a bunny or a pumpkin.
*Play a similar game by having one child leave the room as youhide a small object. Guide her to the object by saying “cold” when she is far away and “hot” as she gets closer to the object.
Charades
Children will have fun “performing” and “stumping” their classmates with this game. One child at a time gets up in front of the room. The child acts out a nursery rhyme as her friends try to guess
which one it might be. The first child to guess correctly gets to act out the next rhyme. (You might need to suggest rhymes to younger children.)
*Play a similar game by having one child leave the room as youhide a small object. Guide her to the object by saying “cold” when she is far away and “hot” as she gets closer to the object.
Charades
Children will have fun “performing” and “stumping” their classmates with this game. One child at a time gets up in front of the room. The child acts out a nursery rhyme as her friends try to guess
which one it might be. The first child to guess correctly gets to act out the next rhyme. (You might need to suggest rhymes to younger children.)
*Children could also act out book titles, songs, feelings, animals, or other categories.
*Children can make sounds or simply pantomime.
“Statues” is a similar game where children work in groups and freeze in position to symbolize a book, song, or other event.