For 1-year-olds! Indoor play ideas that make rainy days fun
Curious and full of energy, one-year-olds are always on the move.
On rainy days or when you can’t go outside, many teachers might find themselves wondering, “What can we play indoors with the children?”
So this time, we’re sharing plenty of ideas for activities that will captivate one-year-olds and keep them happily engaged indoors.
From energetic gross-motor play and eurhythmics to activities that make the most of different textures and ones that encourage lots of finger movement, we’ve gathered a wide range of play ideas that stimulate all five senses.
We’ve also included some activities that require no preparation, so you can start right away.
Find the perfect activities for your children and have fun together!
- Ideas for indoor play and physical activities recommended for 1-year-olds
- Fun with no prep needed! Indoor activities perfect for 1-year-old classes
- [For 0-year-olds] Fun indoor play ideas using raffia tape (suzuran tape)
- [Childcare] Full of energy! Indoor activity ideas to get kids moving
- [Childcare] Have fun even on rainy days! Indoor play ideas
- Let’s play at home with a one-year-old! Activity ideas using things you already have at home
- [Childcare] Perfect Indoor Play Ideas for 0-Year-Olds!
- Recommended for 1-year-olds! Craft play ideas and fun crafting techniques
- No prep needed! Indoor play and game ideas that 2-year-olds will enjoy
- [Childcare / Physical Play] Fun Activities to Get Moving
- [Childcare] Recommended play ideas for caring for 2-year-olds
- Get excited! A list of popular and fun hand games that captivate children
- Ideas for indoor play, physical activities, and games suited to the development of 2-year-olds
For 1-year-olds! Indoor play ideas that are fun even on rainy days (21–30)
Secret Base Dome
https://www.tiktok.com/@mami_asobi/video/7397396632746183944Let’s secretly play in your very own room! Here are some ideas for a secret-base dome.
For children, a secret base is a special place that sparks their sense of adventure and imagination.
It’s an appealing space they can use freely—as their personal hideout or a place to invite trusted friends to play together.
This time, let’s make a secret-base dome using materials you already have at home.
You’ll need newspaper, plastic bags, and duct tape.
After making the walls and roof with the newspaper and plastic bags, blow air in through the entrance using a fan.
It will puff up softly and it’s really fun!
Have fun at home with plenty of room, even in a rental!
https://www.tiktok.com/@rita_babylove/video/7467538825925971217Noise complaints and the difficulty of restoring a rental to its original condition are surprisingly common.
But asking kids to be quiet and not draw on the walls is tough, isn’t it? And of course, we still want them to have as much fun as possible indoors.
So this time, we’re introducing activities that kids can fully enjoy even in a rental.
It’s packed with handy items and eye-opening ideas, so feel free to use it as a reference.
Cushion-style trampolines and wall-mounted whiteboards can be found at online shops.
Balloon Basketball
Basketball with fluffy balloons!? Here’s a balloon-basketball idea.
When you think of balloons, you probably imagine them popping up and then drifting down slowly.
But apparently, with just a simple wrap of something, a balloon can transform into a ball.
All you need is a balloon, vinyl tape, and a pool noodle.
Inflate the balloon and wrap it with vinyl tape, and your ball is ready! Cut a pool noodle in half to make a hoop, and you can enjoy basketball at home.
It’s a fun idea that even infants can play with!
sensory toy play
Fun for all ages! Here are some sensory toy play ideas.
You’ll need: food storage bags, colored water, oil, adzuki beans, erasers, toy goldfish, beads, bells, hair gel, and tape.
Put the materials you prepared into the bag along with the hair gel! Changing up the colors and textures makes the feel different and more interesting.
Sensory toys are recommended not only for infants but also for preschoolers—they’re engaging to look at and touch, and kids will be totally absorbed.
Playing with plastic raffia (Suzuran tape)
Let’s make rainy days fun with Suzuran tape! There are so many ways to play.
First, cut the Suzuran tape into suitable lengths and hand them to the children—you’ll see them freely playing by waving the strips so they flutter or by tearing them into thin strands.
You can put the pieces into a bag with air to make a ball, or bundle several together to create a Suzuran ball—the possibilities are endless! You can also wrap short strips around one long strip to form a tunnel, or turn the tape into pom-poms and do exercises while holding them.
It’s a great way to enjoy full-body movement play!
Pool cue play
Here’s an introduction to indoor play using pool noodles sold at 100-yen shops.
Please prepare some decorative balls and pool noodles.
Making tunnels with the noodles or lining them up as hurdles to jump over helps develop the ability to coordinate what children see with how they move their bodies.
In addition, activities like putting decorative balls into holes made from cross-sections of the noodles, or threading noodles onto a string, help build concentration and visual tracking skills.
Give various play ideas a try!
Let’s try sprinkling it lightly.
Let’s drop finely cut raffia tape from above and play with it like colorful rain.
The children will be fascinated by the way the tape flutters and by the pieces that land on the floor.
They’ll freely enjoy reaching out, rolling around, and exploring in their own ways.
Seeing them play to their hearts’ content is sure to bring smiles to our faces, too.
Preparation is simple, so it’s easy to incorporate on a sudden rainy day.
Please note that raffia tape can be very dangerous if children put it in their mouths, so supervise carefully and make sure to remove all pieces without leaving any behind when cleaning up.
