Lovely childcare

Recommended for 3-year-olds! Fun indoor activities and group game ideas

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.

Three-year-olds experience a surge in vocabulary and are characterized by enjoying communication with those around them and showing interest in many things.

They are full of curiosity and eager to say, “I want to try it!”

So this time, we’re introducing ideas for indoor activities and group games that are perfect for the development of three-year-old children.

From games that let them fully move their bodies and discover the joy of interacting with friends, to activities that foster imagination and expressive skills, we’ve gathered a wealth of indoor play ideas that will satisfy three-year-olds!

Please use these as a reference and have fun together!

Recommended for 3-year-olds! Fun indoor play and group game ideas (81–90)

The ‘It fell, it fell’ game

[Nursery/Kindergarten] The “It Fell, It Fell” Game [How to Play, Target Age, Variations]

The 'It fell, it fell' game

Let me introduce a quick-reaction game called “It Fell, It Fell.” The teacher says, “It fell, it fell,” and the children ask, “What fell?” The teacher names what fell.

For example, if the teacher says “an apple,” the children should pose as if they’re catching an apple.

If the teacher says “a fist,” the children should protect their heads with their hands so they don’t get bonked.

If it’s “thunder,” they should hide their belly button with their hands.

It might be more fun if you teach the poses to the children beforehand and then start the game so they can join in easily.

Once they get used to it, it’s also recommended to have fun by changing up what “falls.”

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In conclusion

We introduced ideas for indoor play recommended for three-year-olds.

For group activities, choosing games with simple, easy-to-understand rules helps everyone enjoy them smoothly.

Gradually stepping up and adapting the rules can also be fun.

At age three, children often engage in parallel play—being in the same space and doing the same activity, yet each enjoying their own play.

While watching over each child as they immerse themselves in play, it’s helpful for caregivers to serve as bridges—creating opportunities for children to notice and engage with friends and to experience the joy of shared empathy.

Let’s support children’s physical and emotional development through lots of enjoyable play.