Part 2: Indoor Play in September — Autumn Recreations to Enjoy with Children
Following on from last time, we’re introducing indoor play ideas for September and autumn-themed recreational activities.
Autumn brings more comfortable weather and naturally makes you want to get moving.
It’s also the season when apples, grapes, and Pacific saury are at their best, and food is especially delicious—so it’s a great time to incorporate crafts and play that make use of these themes.
In this article as well, we’re sharing lots of ideas for games and recreation to try in September.
Be sure to incorporate them into your autumn activities at daycare, kindergarten, or at home!
[Part 2] Indoor activities for September: Autumn recreations to enjoy with children (1–10)
Let’s make an acorn roller!
Acorns and other nuts you gather while playing outdoors—like acorns and chinquapin nuts—are treasures you want to keep forever, right? Let’s use those collected acorns to make an “Acorn Roller”! All you need is a plastic bottle, colored tape, and thick paper.
First, divide the plastic bottle into three sections.
If you can cut it with scissors, go ahead and use scissors.
Attach pieces of thick paper with holes just big enough for an acorn to pass through to the inside of each of the three sections.
Make three of these pieces, then tape them together so they form the original bottle shape again.
Have fun adding unique decorations to the thick paper sections.
Since you’ll be using a craft knife, this activity is intended for upper elementary school students and older.
Children’s song “Dragonfly-san”
In autumn, all kinds of dragonflies start flying around, don’t they? Many people have probably had the experience of twirling a finger in front of a dragonfly, making it dizzy, and catching it.
Here’s a game inspired by those dragonflies: you take a child’s hands and spin them around and around, and in the end you swing them high enough that their feet lift off the ground.
The thrilling sensation and the dizziness from being spun can be so fun that some children might even get hooked on it.
Rolling it up is fun! Grape craft
Crafts may seem difficult, but this is a simple project that even very young children can do.
How about making some delicious-looking grapes that are perfect for autumn? The basic method is just to roll paper into balls.
Use thin, easy-to-handle tissue paper and roll it into small balls.
Put the rolled pieces into a clear bag, tie the opening, add a leaf and a vine, and it’s done.
It’s also fun to make a lot and decorate your room.
Be sure to try it with your child—and with the whole family together.
Let’s go to the library.
Everyone, do you still go to the library? I imagine many of you haven’t been in a long time.
If you visit again after a while, you might discover something new.
And even though it’s the season for reading, it’s perfectly fine to read manga.
If you have children, it might be good to give them more opportunities to engage with books.
Plus, libraries are always kept at a comfortable temperature, so you can spend your time there pleasantly in any season.
Play song ‘Perfectly Round Moon’
September is known as the time when the moon looks most beautiful.
Since long ago, people have looked at the moon’s craters and imagined all sorts of things—like a rabbit pounding mochi or a crab raising its claws.
This is a play song that turns those imaginings into fun.
It’s an activity even very young children—who may not yet understand what the moon is—can enjoy.
By singing it to them, parents can help their children become aware of the moon; when they do, they might observe it while wondering, “I wonder if there’s a rabbit up there.”
Hand Play in September
How about trying some handplay songs that are perfect for September? There are plenty of songs to enjoy this month, like “Tonbo no Megane,” which is about dragonflies you often see outside around September, and “Dango Dango Kuttsuita,” which fits perfectly with moon-viewing season.
Each one involves movements and hand shapes that match the lyrics, so even if it’s your first time, you can learn them quickly.
As you sing and play, imagine what September and autumn are like, and have fun!
[Dance] We Are Grapes
![[Dance] We Are Grapes](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/q1mNki4VED4/sddefault.jpg)
When you think of delicious autumn fruits, many people probably picture grapes.
Round and sweet, grapes are a favorite among children too.
Let’s become grapes ourselves and dance along to “We Are Grapes.” You can form a big circle with your hands and sway, or shake your hips while saying “bu-bu-bu.” The choreography and melody are easy for kids to pick up, so they’ll learn it in no time.
Teachers looking for a fun dance that captures the feeling of autumn, please give this a try.