Lovely childcare

For 1-year-olds! Indoor play ideas that make rainy days fun

9 years of experience as a nursery school teacherShibata Risa
I am an active nursery school teacher with 9 years of experience. After graduating from university, I worked at a daycare center. The time I spent happily with children—playing piano, singing songs, and doing finger-play—are priceless memories to me. Currently, while raising three children of my own, I work at an after-school day service, engaging with children and providing individualized developmental support. Drawing on my diverse experiences as a childcare worker and as a mother, I hope to express and convey my thoughts through writing.

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!

For 1-year-olds! Indoor play ideas that are fun even on rainy days (21–30)

Let’s hang balloons and play

How about attaching curling ribbon to balloons and hanging them from above to play? Kids get super excited watching the balloons sway and bounce in the air when they touch them! If you’re incorporating this into childcare, it’s a good idea to prepare several so multiple children can play at the same time.

It’s also important to secure a space that’s large enough to prevent children from bumping into each other while playing.

If they show interest in the curling ribbon, it’s perfectly fine to let them tear it and play with it, too.

This activity provides various sensory stimuli, including visual and tactile.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Let’s become various animals!

Fun From Age 1: Let’s Be Different Animals! Movement Play with Hand Motions

Let's become various animals!

Animal role-play is a recommended activity that lets even one-year-olds move their bodies a lot.

If they pretend to be frogs, they can imitate hopping around, and if they pretend to be rabbits, they’ll put their hands up like ears and do cute little jumps.

It’s heartwarming to see children use their bodies to express the image of each animal.

It’s great that no preparation is needed, and another nice point is that this play lets you see a wide range of expressions on the children’s faces.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

For 1-year-olds! Indoor play ideas that are fun even on rainy days (31–40)

Let’s make a ring.

For 1-year-olds: Let’s make rings

Let's make a ring.

Let’s use unwanted newspapers or scrap paper and some vinyl tape at the preschool to make rings.

There are endless ways to play with the rings! Hang them on hooks, use them like ring toss, or try spinning them by hand… As long as the activity isn’t dangerous, let the children enjoy using their own ideas.

Be especially careful about putting rings around the neck—this is dangerous, so keep a close watch.

If you use vinyl tape in a variety of colors, children can notice color differences and choose their favorites as they play.

It’s also a great idea to prepare rings in intentionally different sizes.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

playing camp

[Daichi] Pretend Camping Day 1 #1-year-olds #Hatsukaichi Kujira Nursery School #pretendcamping #pretendplay #Shorts

playing camp

When it rains and you can’t go outside, kids always look a bit disappointed, don’t they? At times like that, how about having a pretend camping adventure indoors? You can even set up the tent you usually pitch outside right in your living room and create a mini campsite! Just that alone will get the kids super excited.

You can play your usual games inside the tent, but since it’s a camping pretend-play, having snacks or taking a nap inside will feel extra special and a lot of fun.

It’s the kind of activity that makes you look forward to rainy days!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Towel play

[At-home play] Make a cute little bear with a towel 🧸 #AtHomePlay #AtHomePlayIdeas #TowelPlay #ParentChildPlay

Towel play

Actions like tracking a towel with their eyes or trying to grab it are perfectly valid play for one-year-olds.

A compact, long towel like a sports towel works well.

Also, placing towels on the floor for free play can be dangerous because they might wrap around a child’s body, so make sure a teacher is always the one handling the towels.

Kids are thrilled if you put a towel on them like a cape! If possible, try to gather towels in various colors and patterns.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Plastic Bottle Bowling

[Ages 1–2] First-Time Plastic Bottle Bowling!!

Plastic Bottle Bowling

Here are some activities you can enjoy indoors.

Playing with round stickers helps build concentration and creativity by using fine motor skills.

Since children can usually start sticking stickers around age one, it’s highly recommended.

Scissors can typically be used by children around ages two to three.

Activities where children cut paper with scissors and paste it with glue expand the joy of creating and boost their motivation to make things—kids love them.

As children grow, the range of play expands; for example, bowling incorporates movements that promote physical development and provides beneficial stimulation.

Be sure to incorporate age-appropriate activities.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

agar play

[STEAM Early Childhood Education] Agar Play: Bringing More STEAM Learning into the Early Years

agar play

How about trying agar play, which stimulates children’s senses with its jiggly texture? First, mix 2 g of powdered agar with 250 ml of water in a paper carton.

Add paint or food coloring to tint it.

Heat in a 600W microwave for 3 minutes.

Give it a light stir, then chill it in the refrigerator until set—that’s it.

Preparing agar in various colors makes play even more engaging and fun.

For children who don’t like touching it directly, put the agar in a plastic bag so they can feel it through the bag, or encourage them to use tools like spoons and forks.

In addition to sensory play—pinching, squishing, and mixing colors—setting out cups and plates can turn it into pretend play, too.

Give it a try!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

In conclusion

We introduced some indoor play ideas recommended for one-year-olds. As their bodies develop, their range of activity expands and they become interested in many things, so try actively incorporating lots of new play. This is also a time when they enjoy imitating caregivers and friends, so it’s great to model activities and join in to broaden their play. Spend fulfilling time together while sharing a sense of fun with the children.