Fun Indoor Recess Games for Elementary Students

There’s nothing quite like the groan of elementary students when they realize it’s another one of those dreaded indoor recess days. You get it—kids need to move, they need a break, and they need something fun to do. And they’d rather be outside.

🌧️But when the rainy days just won’t let up, coming up with indoor recess ideas that actually keep everyone entertained (without total chaos) can feel like an impossible task.

The good news? There are plenty of fun indoor games that work whether you have a small space or enough space to spread out. Whether you’re looking for a whole-class game, something for small groups, or a quiet activity for the rest of the class, this list has you covered!

Whole-Class Indoor Recess Games🚦

Some days, it’s just easier to have the entire class play together. These group games are a great way to keep everyone engaged without things getting too rowdy.

Simon Says

A classic game that never fails! If your students are bouncing with excess energy, this is an easy game to get them moving while reinforcing listening skills.

• Have the first player be a student leader or take the lead yourself.
• For a fun challenge, let students create their own commands!
• Works whether you have the whole class standing in the middle of the room or sitting at the top of their desks.

Red Light, Green Light

If you have enough space, let students line up in the front of the room for this active game.

• No room to run? Try a small space version where students move in place instead!
• A great option for burning off energy while still keeping things under control.

Heads Up, Seven Up

This fun game is perfect for quieter days when students need a break but still want to play.

• Works great at the top of their desks or in the corner of the room.
• A perfect game for getting the class to settle down before transitioning to the next activity.
• Seven students go to the front of the room, while the rest of the class puts their heads down with their thumbs up. The seven quietly tap one person each, then return to the corner of the room, and the chosen students try to guess who picked them! If they guess correctly, they get to replace the person who tapped them.

Four Corners

• Label each corner of the room with a number (1-4), then choose one student to stand in the middle of the room and close their eyes. The rest of the class quietly moves to a corner, and the student in the middle calls out a number—whoever is in that corner is out!

Dance Party

Sometimes, all you need is fun music and a few minutes to let students move!

• A quick game to get kids up and moving.
• Keep it structured by using a brain break format where students freeze when the music stops.

Indoor Recess Games That Get Kids Moving🙆🏃🧘

Not every game has to be wild, but sometimes, kids just need to move. These fun activities help students stay active even when they’re stuck inside.

Hula Hoop Challenge

• A great way to work on fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
• Have students take turns seeing who can hula hoop the longest.
• Another fun way to use them? Try a relay where students pass a hula hoop around a circle without letting go of each other’s hands!

Soft Ball Toss

• Use a soft ball or small ball for a tossing challenge.
• Try “Silent Ball”—a quiet game that still keeps students engaged.
• Or, play a group game where students answer questions before tossing the ball to the next player.

Scavenger Hunt

• A fun indoor game that works even in a small space.
• Hide items around the corner of the room and give students clues to find them.
• Turn it into a math game by making them solve problems to unlock the next clue!

Eraser Tag

• A fun game that works best in a small space like the front of the room or a cleared area in the middle of the room.
• Two students start as “taggers” and each balancing an eraser on their head.
• The rest of the class moves carefully around the space, trying to avoid being tagged.
• If the eraser falls off or you get tagged, you’re out.

🤫Quiet Small Group Games for Indoor Recess

Not every rainy day game has to be high-energy. If you need a little peace and quiet, these small group games are a great idea.

Board Games & Card Games

• Having a stash of board games and card games is a great option for indoor recess time.
• Some favorite indoor recess games include:
  • Uno (a fun game for students of all ages)
  • Connect Four
  • Go Fish (great for younger students)
  • Chess (for your older students who love a challenge)

Math Manipulative Challenges

• Break out the math manipulatives for a hands-on math game.
• Students can use pattern blocks or tangrams to create designs or solve puzzles.
• A great way to sneak in learning while still keeping it fun.

Online Games

• Sometimes, a free website is all you need for a quick brain break.
• Some fun indoor games that work well:
  • Puzzle games
  • Digital scavenger hunts
  • Typing challenges

Independent Quiet Desk Activities

If you need some indoor recess activities that allow for unstructured play at desks, these fun activities are perfect.

Indoor Recess Writing Prompts

• Let students free-write about a fun topic.
• A fun way to keep older students engaged while working on writing skills.

Drawing Challenges

• Students create their own simple game by giving each other drawing prompts.
• Example: “Draw a silly monster using only circles and squares.”

Classic Pencil & Paper Games

• Some quick games to keep in your back pocket:
  • Tic-Tac-Toe
  • Dots & Boxes
  • Hangman

Indoor recess time doesn’t need to be stressful! If you have a mix of fun indoor games, quiet activities, and active games you’ll always have a plan for unexpected rainy days.

✅ Need to burn off excess energy? Try a dance party, hula hoops, or a soft ball toss.
✅ Want a whole-class activity? Simon Says, Heads Up, Seven Up, and Red Light, Green Light are solid choices.
✅ Looking for small group fun? Board games, card games, and math manipulatives are great for keeping your students engaged.
✅ Need a quiet game? Try drawing challenges, pencil-and-paper games, or an online game on a free website.

The best indoor recess games are the ones that work for YOUR class. Whether you’re working with a small space, the middle of the room, or just trying to keep the rest of the students calm, these game ideas will help make any indoor recess day a little more fun.

What are your favorite indoor recess games? Join our Elementary Teachers Support Group on Facebook and share! I love hearing great ideas from other teachers! 😊