[Childcare] Recommended for 3-year-olds! Play ideas everyone can enjoy

Thunder Game

[Exercise & Gymnastics Kids Enjoy] The “Thunder Game” recommended from age 3 / Rule-based movement games and exercise-gymnastics educational videos to improve motor skills together with mom

Let me introduce a thunder-rock-paper-scissors game where moving your body to the chant is lots of fun.

Have the children lie down on their backs.

The teacher says, “Goro goro goro—DOkkaaan!” and the children should quickly roll their bodies to hide their belly buttons by turning over onto their stomachs.

The key is to roll fast so your belly button doesn’t get ‘taken.’ You can make it even more exciting by changing the volume of your voice or the speed of the chant.

Once everyone gets used to it, try switching the direction they roll to keep it fun!

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mayumi

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Chestnut Ogre

'Chestnut Tag (Kuri-Oni)': Hugely popular with both preschoolers and elementary school kids! Introducing a tag game perfect for livening things up—also ideal as a warm-up!!

A tag game perfect for autumn! Here’s an idea called Chestnut Tag (Kuri Oni).

It’s similar to Freeze Tag, but the twist is that you transform into a chestnut! Choose one person to be ‘it’ (the oni), and everyone else runs to avoid being tagged.

If you’re about to be tagged, you can transform into a chestnut to create a barrier.

If a teammate touches you, you can start running again.

However, if you get tagged before transforming into a chestnut, move to the spectator area.

gomudan

Gomdan

Here’s how to play Gomu-dan (rubber band jumping).

First, prepare a flat elastic band, and have two people hold the ends.

Let’s start with a simple jump-over game.

Hold the band at ankle height and jump over it.

Even if your feet catch on the band, it’s a success as long as you make it through to the other side.

Try different ways of jumping, like two-footed jumps, backward two-footed jumps, and cartwheel jumps! You can also raise the height to increase the difficulty and excitement.

Be sure to keep the band pulled tight—if it’s slack, it can be dangerous.

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hiyoko sensei

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Soap bubble play

[1- and 2-year-olds] Let’s play outside to our hearts’ content! Bubble play!

Wrapped in the warm, pleasant weather and with more days at comfortable temperatures, spring makes you want to head outdoors and play to your heart’s content with the kids, doesn’t it? How about incorporating bubble play into those outdoor activities? Fill a basin with plenty of bubble solution and use things like fans or hangers to enjoy making big, dynamic bubbles.

In the spring sunlight, the bubbles will likely sparkle and shine.

I can just picture the children happily running around with the bubbles.

Give it a try for some inspiration!

Rock-Paper-Scissors Balance Game

[Kids’ Exercises You Can Do at Home] Rock-Paper-Scissors Balance & Power Challenge (For Preschoolers to Lower Elementary)

Here’s a rock-paper-scissors balance game that gets your whole body moving.

Play rock-paper-scissors with your friends.

If you win, do a one-legged balance for 5 seconds.

If it’s a tie, spin around twice and then do a one-legged balance for 5 seconds.

If you lose, spin around three times and then do a one-legged balance for 5 seconds.

For children who find one-legged balancing difficult, it’s recommended to hold onto something while balancing.

When playing the rock-paper-scissors balance game, secure a spacious area and keep a safe distance from one another to ensure safety.

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mayumi

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Churippu sharippu

tulip sheriff

Hold hands with your friends and play while calling each other’s names! Let me share the idea for “Churippu Sharippu.” There’s nothing to prepare, so just hum the song together and play.

There are moments in the song where you call out names, which makes it great for learning your friends’ names.

It’s especially recommended for classes with new or transferring children! You can adapt the way you play, so it’s an idea that children from infants to preschoolers can enjoy.

Be sure to try it in your activities.

Knock knock knock knock, Grandpa with a beard

[Finger Play] Ton ton ton ton Hige Jiisan (with gestures) [Takashi’s Hand Play & Children’s Songs] Japanese Children’s Song, Finger Play Songs

Clench your hands and let’s play! We’re introducing the hand game “Ton ton ton ton Hige Jiisan.” Many parents and teachers have loved this game since they were little, so it might sound familiar to you, too.

Try playing it with children! It’s fun to clench your hands to the rhythm and transform into different grandpas as you play.

Through the game, kids can develop a sense of rhythm and hand-movement coordination—that’s a key benefit! There’s also a version featuring Anpanman characters that really gets everyone excited.

Be sure to give it a try!