Need some indoor recess games and activities? Tired of musical chairs? You’re in the right place!

When rain, heat, smoke, or cold weather keep your preschoolers indoors, it’s important to have a plan in place for providing engaging and fun indoor games and activities. These games and activities are great for keeping active preschoolers entertained indoors while having fun.

Instead of dreading indoor recess, here are more than 30 fun indoor activities and games your kids will love.

Fun Indoor Recess Group Games

Indoor recess is the perfect opportunity to introduce hands-on activities that encourage teamwork, improve fine motor skills, enhance listening skills, and boost social interactions among young learners. This list includes various games and activities that preschoolers can play indoors. The goal is to ensure that they have fun and enjoy their playtime to the fullest.

Many of these indoor recess games also help develop important gross motor and social skills – yes, please!

4 Corners – This classic indoor game is simple to teach and easy to play. Forgot how to play? Here’s a step-by-step guide to jog your memory. Use pictures of popular storybook characters if your kids aren’t ready for numbers.

Duck Duck Goose – This classic game is a great way to get in a little exercise. It also helps children develop self-regulation skills and pay attention.

Popcorn! Parachute Game – This whole group game is perfect for students to learn how to work together. It’s also a great game for developing important gross motor skills.

Bluebird, Bluebird Through the Window – The video will help you learn this classic song and movement game. Kids love moving and singing along with this fun game.

Chicken Dance – Who doesn’t love the chicken dance? Watch the video to learn how to do this super silly and fun dance that promotes listening and sequencing skills.

Limbo – An oldie but a goody! This video explains how to play this classic game.

Huckle Buckle Beanstalk – Watch the video to learn how to play this 19th century game that still packs a powerful punch today.

Indoor Recess Games to Improve Physical Activity

Freeze Dance – Everybody loves playing freeze dance! Choose a favorite kid-friendly song to play. When the music plays, children dance around the room, and when the music stops, they must freeze in place.

Freeze Dance is a fun game to play indoors during recess. It helps kids stay active, practice listening skills – by stopping when the music stops.

Use a variety of musical styles and tempos to encourage different types of dance and movement. Use your smartphone and a bluetooth speaker so you can pause the music without tipping off the kids.

Indoor Recess Ideas That Promote Listening and Cooperation

Silent Beanbag – Silent Beanbag is a quiet game ideal for indoor play. This game encourages children to stand in a circle and gently toss a beanbag to each other without speaking. The goal is to quietly catch the beanbag. As kids play this game they’re improving focus, hand-eye coordination, and understanding non-verbal signals.

Simon Says – A classic game that never loses its charm, Simon Says is perfect for indoor recess. The teacher or a child leads the game, giving commands that players should only follow if preceded by “Simon says.” This game helps preschoolers improve listening skills because kids must pay close attention to the instructions. It also encourages physical activity in a fun and controlled manner.

There are 2 different versions of Simon Says here for you to choose from:
—Snowman Listening Game
—Bunny Listening Game

Do your kids need a little extra help listening and following directions? Then you need these simple Simon Says movement games in your life!

What Time is it Mr. Fox? – The perfect fun game for developing important listening and self-regulation skills.

Red Light, Green Light – Students can work on their executive function skills with this preschool game.

Hot Potato – Your kids will have a blast with this fun, classic game while working on their listening and self-regulation skills.

Fun Indoor Recess Games

Zoo Animal Movement Game – This is a fun game that encourages physical activity, listening, and movement. Children imitate various animals’ movements, such as hopping like a frog or galloping like a horse, around the classroom.

London Bridge – This one never gets old! Watch the video to learn how to play this classic preschool game.

Farmer in the Dell – This one is fun to sing and easy to teach. Watch the video to learn how to play this classic preschooler game.

Bowling with Plastic Bottles – Save those plastic bottles for a fun bowling game!

Paper Plate Ring Toss – Recycle some paper plates and make your own ring toss game!

Musical Chairs – This classic game helps kids learn to wait and be active at the same time. It also teaches them how to handle frustration, which is an important skill for life.

Ring Around the Rosy – Watch the video to refresh your memory of how to play this classic memory game!

Head Shoulders Knees and Toes – Preschoolers love playing Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes. Watch the video in case you need a refresher of how to play this preschool game.

Hokey Pokey – Your preschoolers will have fun with this classic simple song.

Indoor Music, Songs and Dance Activities

Cool Bear Hunt Movement Song – Students will learn work on their social skills and oral language skills as they go on a cool bear hunt.

Dr. Jean’s Banana Dance – Kids of all ages love joining in with the movements of this song!

What’s Missing? – Your students will love this game and it’s easy to set up. This game works well for toddlers at a restaurant too!

Glow Stick Hide and Seek – Did somebody say glow sticks? Grab some glow sticks and play this super fun version of hide and seek.

XO Hop – If you have a small space, but your preschoolers have lots of energy then your kids are sure to love this activity.

Animal Hide and Seek – This is the perfect rainy day activity!

Indoor Recess Games for Preschoolers

Jump the Candlestick – Move like Jack in the nursery rhyme or think of other ways to move over or around the candlestick.

Dinosaur Movement Game – Incorporate a favorite interest as preschoolers roll and move like dinosaurs.

Weather Movement Game – Can’t go outside? Talk about types of weather in this movement game.

Swatting Game – I guarantee your preschoolers will love swatting letters, colors, numbers, or whatever you choose in this DIY game.

Uno Movement Game – Use cards from a favorite card game to move around the room. Don’t have the game? You could easily create these color and number cards or adapt any type of number cards to use.

Dumpster Diving Game – No, don’t bring a dumpster inside. Fill a large box with recycled materials and a few toys. Kids will love searching for the “hidden” items in the box.

Block Basketball – Easily adaptable for younger or older preschoolers. Use materials on hand to create a fun adaption of basketball for preschoolers.

Indoor recess for preschoolers can be fun for kids, and easy to implement for adults. Young children can have a productive and enjoyable time indoors even if the weather outside is not the best.

These games and activities can keep children engaged and active while they are indoors. They provide a fun and stimulating way for children to spend their time during indoor recess.

Additionally, incorporating these games and activities into the daily routine can help children develop important skills and socialize with their peers. From hands-on activities that foster teamwork to quiet games that enhance listening skills. What are your favorite indoor recess games and activities?