Lovely childcare

For 4-year-olds! A collection of indoor home play ideas that make time inside fun

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked for 10 years as a kindergarten teacher and for 7 years as an after-school childcare instructor, then took a post as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I also engaged in activities that shared Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational play, working with many children. Afterwards, through freelance writing, planning, and editing work at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and conveying ideas. Leveraging the perspective cultivated in educational settings and my experience as an editor, I aim to deliver practical information—focusing on fields related to music and children—that values both input and output. Hobbies include instruments, singing, handcrafts, toys, drawing, traditional play, the outdoors, books, DIY, and crafts. Special skill: spinning-top tricks.
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.

On days when the weather is bad or you can’t go outside, it can be hard to decide what to play at home with your four-year-old, right?

At this age, children’s imaginations blossom, and they become more skilled with language and with their hands.

So here, we’ve put together a list of at-home play ideas that kids will enjoy.

There are plenty of activities you can do with things you already have at home—sensory play, crafts, games, and more.

If any ideas here catch your eye, feel free to use them as a reference and enjoy a fun time together with your child!

For 4-year-olds! A collection of indoor home play ideas that make time at home fun (51–60)

Color Search Game

[Color Hunt Game!!] Let's Play at Home with the Kids!!

Color Search Game

Let’s look for what colors are hiding around the room! Here are some ideas for a color-finding game.

This activity is appealing thanks to its simple and easy-to-understand rules.

Just color some paper with markers, put the pieces into a paper cup, and you’re ready to play! It feels exciting, like drawing lots.

As you play, it helps improve color recognition, making it a fun and educational activity.

Once you get used to the game, try drawing two pieces of paper and combining the two colors—that sounds fun too.

Give it a try!

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Clapping game until you drop

Let's all compete together! [Applaud until you drop]

Clapping game until you drop

It’s a game you can play casually in a compact space, with no special preparations or large area required.

The rules are simple: first, each person takes a sheet of tissue paper and holds it.

Next, raise your hand above your head, drop the tissue, and compete to see how many times you can clap before it falls.

You’ll stretch your body to drop it from as high as possible and move quickly to pick it up, so it becomes a full-body exercise.

The lively clapping sounds fill the room, and it’s great to see everyone smiling and having fun!

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Rock-paper-scissors is fun even in the rain

[Play] Rock-Paper-Scissors & Recommended Activities [Nursery/Kindergarten]

Rock-paper-scissors is fun even in the rain

Here are some rock-paper-scissors games you can enjoy indoors with kids even on rainy days.

“American Rock-Paper-Scissors” reverses winning and losing, so it makes you think.

“Body Rock-Paper-Scissors” is a game where you use your whole body to show rock, paper, or scissors.

It’s recommended to decide in advance what movements will represent rock, scissors, and paper before you start.

In “Newspaper Rock-Paper-Scissors,” you stand on a sheet of newspaper while playing; if you lose, you fold your newspaper once and make it smaller each time.

In “Rock-Paper-Scissors Train,” the loser lines up behind the winner, and the train of players gradually grows longer.

Try these and find your favorite rock-paper-scissors game!

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cuisine

[At-home time with kids] Cooking with my 4-year-old daughter / Making a veggie-packed curry

cuisine

How about doing some cooking together with your child as a way to practice food education? Around age four, children gradually begin to understand kitchen rules, so it’s recommended to have them join from the prep stage.

That said, be very careful when using knives or heat.

Cutting vegetables, handling raw meat, then finishing on the stove or in the microwave—go through the steps slowly, following the usual sequence that caregivers use.

Recommended dishes include meatballs, gyoza, and fried rice.

Give it a try!

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For 4-year-olds! A collection of at-home play ideas to make indoor time fun (61–70)

Perler beads

[Perler Beads] My eldest is totally hooked! Iron beads from Daiso and Seria [Toys]

Perler beads

Iron beads are fused using the heat of an iron after arranging the beads on a dedicated pegboard.

As children make a variety of items—animals, food, and more—this activity lets their creativity shine.

Using their hands or tweezers, they place the beads onto the board one by one.

They can create simple shapes like stars and hearts, or take on more advanced designs like anime characters.

These beads have a cute, pixel-art look and can be used as room decorations or toys.

Try this activity to help nurture a 5-year-old’s thinking skills and concentration.

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Copycat game

Let's try it with the teacher! Copycat Game♪

Copycat game

Let’s have fun with body mimicry! Here are some ideas for a copycat game that’s sure to make everyone smile.

While copying the teacher’s movements, strike unique poses like animals or heroes and play together.

You’ll find yourselves laughing and saying, “What is this?!” as you move your bodies.

While playing, kids build flexibility and balance, and the best part is learning through fun—“Can you really do this pose?” You might even discover some unexpected moves!

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In conclusion

We introduced ideas for fun at-home activities for 4-year-olds. Did you find something you’d like to try? At-home play can easily become routine, but with a few simple twists and ideas, kids can experience a new kind of excitement and thrill. Choose activities that match your child’s interests and curiosities, find something they can get absorbed in, and enjoy it together. Wishing you fulfilling and fun time at home!