Indoor recess

Ghost in the Graveyard

One student hides as the "ghost" while the class counts the clock, then everyone searches. Whoever spots the ghost yells "Ghost in the graveyard!" and races back to base.

  • πŸŽ“ Grades K–5
  • ⏱ 15–25 min
  • πŸ‘₯ Whole class
  • πŸ“¦ No prep
🎲 Another game

How to play Ghost in the Graveyard

  1. Pick one student to be the ghost and choose a "base" area.
  2. Everyone else closes their eyes at base and counts "1 o'clock, 2 o'clock..." up to "midnight!" while the ghost hides.
  3. Students go out to look for the ghost.
  4. The first student to spot the ghost shouts "Ghost in the graveyard!" and everyone runs (or fast-walks) back to base.
  5. If the ghost tags someone before they reach base, that student is the next ghost.

Variations

  • Indoor version: the ghost hides somewhere in the classroom and students "freeze" when they spot them instead of running.

πŸ’‘ Teacher tips

  • Best on the playground or in the gym. Indoors, make it walking only.

Keep playing

Similar classroom games

Brain breaks

Carrot Squat (Luobo Dun)

Each group gets a vegetable name, and the group that is called squats while chanting, then calls the next group to squat.

  • ⏱ 5–15 min
  • πŸŽ“ K–8
  • ✏️ No prep
Brain breaks

Four Corners

Students tiptoe to one of four labeled corners while a caller with eyes closed picks a corner.

  • ⏱ 5–15 min
  • πŸŽ“ K–8
  • ✏️ No prep
Quiet games

Heads Up, Seven Up

Seven students secretly tap classmates with their heads down, then the tapped students guess who tapped them.

  • ⏱ 10–20 min
  • πŸŽ“ K–8
  • ✏️ No prep
Brain breaks

Mingle (Find Your Group)

Students walk around the room saying "mingle, mingle" until the teacher calls a number, then quickly form groups of exactly that size.

  • ⏱ 5–10 min
  • πŸŽ“ K–12
  • ✏️ No prep
Indoor recess

Red Light, Green Light

Students move toward the caller on "green light" and freeze on "red light".

  • ⏱ 5–15 min
  • πŸŽ“ K–5
  • ✏️ No prep
Brain breaks

Rock Paper Scissors Tournament

Students play rock paper scissors, and losers become the cheering section of the winner.

  • ⏱ 5–10 min
  • πŸŽ“ K–12
  • ✏️ No prep