8 Word Games for Spare Moments
Before opening a book, during small-group pickup time, or while an activity is being prepared, games that begin with words alone are useful for a short wait.
This article introduces 8 word games for 1–5 minutes and 10 short Japanese puns. No equipment is needed. Start with one using words children know well.
Key points
- Mainly for preschool classes. Ages and times are guides; adapt to interests and familiarity with language that day.
- Answering, imitating, gesturing, and listening: participation is flexible.
- If ideas do not come, think together. Do not race or eliminate children who cannot answer.
- Avoid mealtimes or moving between places; choose a calm setting. Prioritize supervision and individual care.
8 word games without equipment
1. Sound imitation relay
The adult makes a short sound and children copy whichever part they like. There is no need to go around every child in order.
- Opening prompt: “Would you like to copy my sound?”
- Example: Pon-pon, piyo-piyo, koro-koro. Say one sound and wait briefly.
- Try this: If a child offers a sound such as pu-pu-pu, the adult can copy it in turn.
- Ending: “One quiet pon to finish. All done.”
Loudness or speed is unnecessary. Repeating a favorite sound two or three times is enough.
2. Collect words beginning with the same sound
Choose an initial sound and gather words beginning with it. Written letters are unnecessary.
- Opening prompt: “What starts with ka?”
- Example: Kasa (umbrella), kame (tortoise), kabocha (pumpkin). Say ka-sa clearly so the first Japanese sound can be heard.
- Try this: If difficult, add a familiar clue: Something for a rainy day, ka…?
- Ending: “We found three ka words. That's all for today.”
If another sound appears, extend the game: That starts with ku. Shall we find ku words too?
3. Collect words in a category
Choose a familiar category such as fruit or vehicles and name examples. Repeated answers are fine.
- Opening prompt: “Let's open a fruit shop. What shall we put out?”
- Example: Apple, banana, mandarin. Acknowledge each: An apple has arrived. What else?
- Try this: If words are hard to find, offer two choices: Banana or bus—which belongs in the fruit shop?
- Ending: “Lots of things on display. We'll open the shop again another day.”
Shared experiences such as snacks eaten or things seen in the park also make enjoyable themes.
4. Make a shiritori word chain together
Use the last sound of one Japanese word to start the next. Begin by linking about three words together as a group.
- Opening prompt: “Risu ends in su. What starts with su?”
- Example: Risu (squirrel) → suika (watermelon) → kame (tortoise) → medaka (rice fish)
- Try this: Help with a clue such as A fruit with red flesh starting with su, or supply the next word yourself.
- Ending: “One more word, then we'll finish.”
If a word ends in n, say This is a stopping point; let's begin again with a favorite word. Initially avoid long vowels and small ya, yu, or yo combinations to make the rules easier to share. Allow repetition and hints so everyone builds the chain together.
5. What sound is it?
The adult represents a sound in words and children imagine its source. Do not insist on one answer; listen to their ideas.
- Opening prompt: “What does zaa-zaa sound like?”
- Example: Rain! A shower! Respond, Both are water sounds.
- Try this: Choose familiar sounds such as wan-wan (woof), rin-rin (ring), or don-don (bang). Gestures can add enjoyment.
- Ending: Finish with a quiet pause: Last is shiin, silence. What does that feel like?
If children ask questions, invite those who want to try. Copy their sound before guessing to keep the exchange going.
6. Copy with opposites
Enjoy opposite meanings with gestures.
- Opening prompt: “What is the opposite of big?”
- Example: Big/small, long/short, open/close: show them by widening or narrowing the space between your hands.
- Try this: Children who find verbal answers difficult can join with hand shapes alone. Adults can demonstrate both while saying them.
- Ending: “Open your hands, then close them. All done.”
Avoid themes comparing people's appearance or strengths and difficulties. Choose object sizes or movements you can show together.
7. Clap to words
Say familiar words slowly, clapping gently once per sound. Where quiet is needed, hand movements alone work.
- Opening prompt: “Let's clap while saying ne-ko.”
- Example: Ne-ko (cat): 2 claps; ri-n-go (apple): 3; ta-ke-no-ko (bamboo shoot): 4.
- Try this: Begin by copying. Rather than testing counts, enjoy the rhythm of the words.
- Ending: “Last: ma-ta-ne, see you again. Let's play again.”
Choose easily separated Japanese words such as neko and ringo first. Even if clap counts differ, enjoy repetition.
8. Add a word to make a story
Add children's words to a short adult sentence. Begin with a story ending after about three exchanges.
- Opening prompt: “A cat went for a walk. Where did it go?”
- Example: The park! → What did it find there? → A big leaf! → What did it do with the leaf? → Used it as an umbrella!
- Try this: If unsure, offer choices: Park or sea? Briefly retell the earlier story.
- Ending: Finish by summarizing: The cat walked with a leaf umbrella. The end.
Unexpected directions are fine. Enjoy the continuation without requiring one contribution from every child.
10 Japanese puns to enjoy aloud
All 10 examples below are Japanese-language wordplay. The sound similarities and word meanings explained here refer to Japanese; the translations explain them and do not mean the same puns work in English.
Japanese puns repeat identical or similar sounds. Choose familiar things and try one or two at a time. Do not demand laughter or explanations; simply noticing and repeating the shared sounds can be fun.
1. Futon ga futtonda
Futon (bedding) sounds like futtonda (blew away). Explain that the futon flew off, using a flying hand gesture.
2. Neko ga nekoronda
Neko (cat) shares its starting sounds with nekoronda (lay down). Say it while showing a curled-up cat with your hands.
3. Iruka wa iru ka?
Iruka (dolphin) sounds like iru ka? (is it there?). Add a gesture of peering into the sea.
4. Zo da zo
Zo (elephant) sounds like the emphatic ending da zo. Say it while making a long trunk with your arm.
5. Kaeru ga kaeru
Kaeru (frog) and kaeru (return home) sound identical. Explain briefly: The frog is going home.
6. Kutsu ga kuttsuita
Kutsu (shoes) sounds like the beginning of kuttsuita (stuck together). Pretend your hands are shoes and bring them together.
7. Panda no pan da
Panda sounds like pan da (it's bread). Explain It's the panda's bread while pretending to hold bread.
8. Sai wa nan-sai?
Sai (rhinoceros) shares its sound with sai in nan-sai? (how old?). With children who know rhinos, imagine how old one might be.
9. Tai o tabetai
Tai (sea bream) repeats at the end of tabetai (want to eat). Use when the fish name is familiar and explain, They want to eat a fish called tai.
10. Rakuda wa raku da
Rakuda (camel) sounds like raku da (it's easy or comfortable). Explain the meaning of raku and imagine a camel taking a rest.
Welcome children's own puns by noticing similar sounds. Do not turn the game into teasing friends' names, appearance, or speech.
For infant classes, begin with short sound imitation
For classes aged 0–2, enjoy brief sound exchanges rather than teaching shiritori or pun rules.
- Under 1: Respond gently to the child's voice or say pon or pa when eyes meet. Wait for a response and end briefly according to voice and expression.
- Ages 1–2: Use familiar sounds such as wan-wan or buu-buu with gestures. Adults can also copy sounds offered by children.
There is no need to demand corrected pronunciation or repeat requests until children vocalize. Welcome looking, listening, and smiling and follow their pace.
Ending comfortably within 1–5 minutes
Announce a boundary before starting: Three things, then finish or One last turn. When preparations are ready, do not prolong the game waiting for everyone's answer; say We'll continue another time and move on.
- About 1 minute: Two or three sound imitations, or one pun.
- About 2–3 minutes: Category words or words beginning with the same sound.
- About 3–5 minutes: Shiritori or a short shared story.
If overlapping voices are hard to hear, switch to smaller groups or repeat the words children offered. Stopping after an enjoyable moment rather than doing everything makes these games useful for short waits.