Indoor games can be a great way to have fun and stay entertained without the need for any special equipment or props.
Whether you’re looking to pass the time on a rainy day or just want to enjoy some quality indoor entertainment, there are plenty of games you can play with just your imagination and a few friends.
From classic board games to creative word games, here are some indoor games to play without anything extra.
Shadow Puppets:
Turn off the lights or dim them slightly and use your hands to create a variety of shadow puppets on the wall. Challenge your friends or family members to guess the animals, objects, or characters you’re trying to depict. It’s a creative and imaginative game that can be a lot of fun, especially in the dark.
Indoor Treasure Hunt:
Create a treasure hunt by writing clues or riddles that lead to hidden “treasures” around your home. You can use everyday objects as treasures, and each clue should provide a hint about where to find the next one. This game not only encourages problem-solving but also adds an element of excitement as participants follow the trail of clues to discover the hidden items.
Statues:
Play a game of “Statues” where one person is designated as the “leader” and the rest of the participants are “statues.” The leader stands at a distance and gives commands like “March!” or “Freeze!” When the leader says “Freeze,” everyone must stand perfectly still like statues until the next command. The challenge is to stay as still as possible without moving, even if the leader tries to trick you with fake commands.
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Paper Airplane Contest:
Create and decorate paper airplanes, then have a contest to see whose airplane can fly the farthest or perform the most tricks. You can use a designated starting line and take turns launching your airplanes. Experiment with different designs to see which one works best. This game combines creativity and competition.
Story Building:
Sit in a circle and start a collaborative story. One person begins with a sentence or two to kickstart the tale. The next person adds to the story, and so on, with each participant contributing a sentence or two at a time. The catch is that each person must build on the story without contradicting what has been said before. This game not only sparks creativity but also encourages active listening and storytelling skills.
Simon’s Memory:
One person, acting as “Simon,” starts by saying, “Simon says, I’m going on a trip, and I’m bringing [an item that starts with the letter ‘A’].” The next person repeats the phrase, including Simon’s item, and adds an item that starts with the letter ‘B.’ This continues with each person adding a new item and the entire list in order. The challenge is to remember the growing list of items in the correct order. If someone forgets an item or messes up the order, they are out.
Storytime Relay:
This game combines storytelling and teamwork. Sit in a circle, and one person begins a story with a single sentence. The next person adds a sentence to continue the story, and so on. However, each person can only say one word at a time, going around the circle. It often leads to humorous and unexpected stories, as you must think quickly to keep the narrative flowing.
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Guess the Sound:
Blindfold one person and have the others take turns making a sound with their mouths or using objects in the room (e.g., tapping on a table, shaking a jar of rice, or ringing a bell). The blindfolded person must guess the source of the sound. It’s a sensory game that adds an element of surprise and mystery to your indoor activities.
Two Truths and a Lie:
This is a great game for getting to know your friends or family members better. Each person takes a turn sharing two true statements and one false statement about themselves. The others must guess which statement is the lie. It’s a game that encourages storytelling and deduction.
Invisible Obstacle Course:
Create an imaginary obstacle course in your living room or another indoor space. Describe the obstacles to the participants, such as “There’s a lava pit you have to jump over” or “You need to crawl under the laser beams.” Participants take turns navigating the course blindfolded while the others guide them using only their voices. It’s a game that requires trust and communication.
20 Questions:
In this game, one player thinks of an object, person, or place while the others take turns asking yes-or-no questions to guess what it is. Players can only ask up to 20 questions to figure out the mystery item. If they guess correctly within the limit, they win. If not, the person who thought of the item gets a point. It’s a fantastic game for honing deductive reasoning and critical thinking skills.
Indoor Bowling:
Set up a makeshift bowling alley in your living room using empty plastic bottles as pins and a soft ball as the bowling ball. Arrange the pins in a triangle formation and take turns rolling the ball to knock them down. You can keep score and compete against friends or family members for some friendly indoor competition.
Indoor Picnic Challenge:
Transform your living room into an indoor picnic area. Lay out a picnic blanket, make some sandwiches, and prepare some snacks and drinks. Challenge each other to come up with the most creative, imaginary stories about the “outdoor” adventures you’re having while picnicking indoors.
Reverse Charades:
Flip the traditional Charades game on its head by having one person guess while the rest of the group acts out the word or phrase. It becomes a hilarious challenge as multiple people work together to convey the clue without speaking. This twist adds an extra layer of excitement to the classic game.
Story Cubes:
If you have dice with pictures on them (such as Rory’s Story Cubes or homemade versions), you can use them to inspire storytelling. Roll the dice and create a story based on the images that appear. Each person can take turns adding to the narrative, incorporating the pictures from the dice. It’s a game that sparks creativity and imagination.
Story Jenga:
If you have a Jenga set, write various story prompts or challenges on the Jenga blocks. When playing Jenga, each time a block is removed, the person must either create a sentence that continues the story or perform the challenge written on the block. It adds a fun twist to the classic game and sparks creativity.
Musical Statues:
Similar to musical chairs, but without the chairs. Play music and have everyone dance or move around the room. When the music stops, everyone must freeze in place like statues. The last person to freeze is out. Keep playing until only one person remains.
The Floor Is Lava:
Pretend that the floor is covered in lava, and your goal is to move around the room without touching it. Use furniture, cushions, and other items as stepping stones. One person can play the role of the “floor inspector” who tries to catch players touching the floor. It’s a creative and active game that can be particularly enjoyable for kids.
Story Telephone:
Sit in a circle and start a story by whispering a sentence into the ear of the person next to you. They, in turn, whisper what they heard to the person next to them, and so on. The last person to hear the story must say it out loud. Compare the final version to the original sentence to see how much it has changed, which often leads to hilarious results.
Paper Plate Disc Golf:
Create a simple indoor disc golf course using paper plates as “holes” and a soft, lightweight object (like a rolled-up sock) as the “disc.” Set up the paper plates in various locations around a room, and take turns trying to toss the disc into the plates with the fewest throws. Keep score and compete against friends or family members.
The Alphabet Memory Game:
This game is excellent for sharpening your memory skills. Start by saying, “I went to the store and bought an apple.” The next person continues, “I went to the store and bought an apple and a bicycle.” Each person takes a turn adding an item to the list while reciting all the previous items in alphabetical order. The goal is to see how far you can go without forgetting an item or getting the order wrong.
Hide and Seek:
A classic game that needs no equipment at all. One person closes their eyes and counts while the others hide somewhere in the house. Once counting is done, the seeker tries to find the hidden players. It’s a timeless game that’s always a hit with kids and adults alike.
Storytime with Pictures:
Find a picture book or magazine and take turns making up a story based on the images you see. Each person can narrate a part of the story, adding to the plot as you go along. This game allows you to get creative with storytelling and encourages imagination.
Indoor Mini Golf:
Transform your living room into a mini golf course using household items like cups, books, and cardboard boxes as obstacles. Use a soft ball (like a ping pong ball or a rolled-up sock) as your golf ball and a broomstick as your putter. Take turns navigating the course, and try to complete it with the fewest strokes.
Rhyming Game:
Sit in a circle and choose a starting word. Going clockwise, each person takes a turn saying a word that rhymes with the previous one. You continue until someone can’t come up with a rhyme within a few seconds or repeats a word. It’s a game that challenges your vocabulary and creativity.
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