[Childcare] Recommended for 3-year-olds! Play ideas everyone can enjoy
Three-year-olds start interacting much more with friends and teachers.
You want to watch them grow through a variety of play activities, right?
But when you’re busy every day, it’s hard to come up with new ideas for play…
For teachers with that concern, we’ve gathered play ideas recommended for three-year-olds.
Each idea is something the whole group can focus on and enjoy, so try choosing based on the weather and your class’s mood.
If one becomes a favorite, the children might say, “Teacher, let’s do that again!”
- Recommended for 3-year-olds! Fun indoor activities and group game ideas
- No prep needed! Indoor activities for 3-year-olds, including movement play and group games.
- For 3-Year-Olds! Indoor & Outdoor Physical Play and Game Ideas
- [Childcare] Recommended for 3-year-olds! Craft activity ideas
- Useful for childcare! Today’s recommended recreational activities, including fingerplay and games!
- [Childcare] Full of energy! Indoor activity ideas to get kids moving
- [Childcare] DIY Ideas for Circuit Play
- [For 4-year-olds] Ideas for group games and craft activities that can be done indoors
- No prep needed! Indoor play and game ideas that 2-year-olds will enjoy
- Kids go wild! Popular hand games and fun sing-alongs
- For 4-year-olds! Introducing recommended indoor activities, group games, and crafts
- [For 4-Year-Olds] A Collection of Indoor Play and Game Ideas That Get Everyone Excited
- At-home play for 3-year-olds! Let’s play freely with materials you have at home.
[Childcare] Recommended for 3-year-olds! Play ideas everyone can enjoy (11–20)
Newspaper play
When you don’t have time to make or prepare toys, we recommend this “newspaper play.” As long as you have some newspaper, you can start right away.
As the name suggests, newspaper play involves using newspaper to experience various kinds of play—pretend the newspaper is a futon or clothing and enjoy make-believe.
Children can fully take on roles like teachers or friends, and they can also craft the items needed for their pretend play out of newspaper.
There are so many ways to have fun with it!
Let’s try playing Fukuwarai!
Why not try making a fukuwarai using crayons, scissors, and construction paper? Fukuwarai is a traditional Japanese game said to date back to the mid-Edo period.
First, draw parts like eyes, nose, and mouth on construction paper and cut around each piece.
Then make a base.
For the base, you can either cut pale orange construction paper into a face shape and glue it down, or draw the face with crayons.
Once everything is ready, start arranging the parts.
You can express different emotions—like a smiling face or a sad face—depending on how you place the pieces.
It’s also fun to arrange the parts while blindfolded.
Mimic Animal Rock-Paper-Scissors
Here’s a game called “Copycat Animal Rock-Paper-Scissors” that helps children of different ages interact and become friends.
At the cue, “Copycat animal, rock-paper-scissors—go!” everyone strikes an animal pose.
If both partners choose the same animal pose, they earn 1 point; if they choose different poses, they spin around once on the spot.
It’s recommended that teachers and children decide the set of animal poses in advance.
You may see older children teaching the animal poses to younger ones.
Come up with lots of pose variations and have fun!
Pool stick fountain & shower
Here’s a fun water play idea for hot summer days using a pool noodle! Secure one end of the noodle tightly to a garden hose with tape, and poke several small holes in the other end.
When you turn on the water, it sprays out of the noodle like a fountain.
Kids will have a blast chasing the spray and running through it! They can also run around, try to catch the water with their hands, and enjoy the sensory experience.
Be sure an adult supervises at all times and that you play on a non-slip surface for safety.
It’s like a little shower—highly recommended as a super fun summer activity!
Crawling tail-chasing game
Let’s introduce a crawling tail-tag game that gets kids excited.
Give each child a “tail” made by braiding plastic ribbon (like florist’s raffia).
The teacher is “it” and chases the children.
At the start signal, the children crawl away to avoid being caught.
If a child gets their tail taken by “it,” they can rejoin the game after doing five jumps and putting the tail back on.
Try swapping who’s “it” or increasing the number of chasers to keep the game fun!
Mimic Rhythm Play
Here’s a follow-the-leader rhythm activity you can enjoy while copying movements.
As you hum the rhythm, the teacher demonstrates by clapping hands and gently tapping their own head or arms.
After watching the teacher’s example, the children play along with the rhythm by copying the movements they’ve learned.
During this time, the teacher should also move together with the children to serve as a model.
Younger children can participate within their abilities.
Older children, once they’re used to it, should try making their expressions bigger and more exaggerated.
Have fun by adjusting the tempo as you go.
[Childcare] Recommended for 3-year-olds! Play ideas everyone can enjoy (21–30)
Chick Sumo
Fun for everyone from toddlers to adults! Here’s an idea for a “Chick Sumo” game.
In this game, players transform into little chicks—it’s a unique and exciting way to play.
Participants walk around the space in a squatting position, and if their hands or bottom touch the floor, they lose.
While walking and keeping their balance, they’ll have fun and also build core strength and concentration.
The rules are simple, yet it’s enjoyable for all ages, so it’s sure to get competitive! Teachers and parents are encouraged to join in too.