[For 4-Year-Olds] A Collection of Indoor Play and Game Ideas That Get Everyone Excited

Greengrocer’s shop

No prep needed! 7 rhythm games you can do at daycare♪

The “Greengrocer’s Shop” is a fun game that’s like a mix of a rhythm game and a quiz.

The teacher sings a song and, at the end, says the name of one item at a time.

If it’s something you’d find at a greengrocer’s, the children clap to the rhythm and say “aru, aru” (“it’s there!”).

If it’s not something you’d find there, they make an X with their arms and say “nai, nai” (“not there!”).

Since quick decisions are needed, mistakes can happen, and opinions may differ.

When that happens, take a moment to pause and discuss together: “Is it there?” “Is it not?”

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Body Rock-Paper-Scissors

[Childcare] 5 Indoor Games and Activities for Hot Days [Nursery/Kindergarten]

Normally, when you play rock-paper-scissors, you use your hands, right? This version lets you play using your whole body.

Let’s start by checking the poses.

For Rock, make your body small like a stone.

For Scissors, turn to the side and spread your arms with your right hand pointing down and your left hand pointing up.

For Paper, spread out both arms and legs to make a big X shape.

The rules are the same as regular rock-paper-scissors, so try playing with a friend to the call of “Jan-ken-pon!” Be sure to play carefully so you don’t bump others with your hands or feet.

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pa pi pu pe po

[In Your Spare Moments!] 6 Easy Indoor Games for Kids Ages 3–5 [Preschool/Kindergarten]

The word “pa-pi-pu-pe-po” can be pretty hard for children to say.

But don’t worry.

This activity is a quiz game where you guess what word someone is saying using “pa-pi-pu-pe-po.” The adults—teachers or guardians—create the words with “pa-pi-pu-pe-po,” and the children try to guess the correct answers.

You can choose any words, but pick ones the children already know—ideally things they see in their daily lives.

For example, turn “toilet paper” (toiretto pêpâ) into “popipeppo paper,” or “dandelion” (tanpopo) into “papipopo.” Words that contain several “pa-pi-pu-pe-po” sounds might make it easier for the children to guess.

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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.

Seated tag

A big hit at kindergartens! Introducing Tick-Tock Tag you can start using tomorrow!

“We can’t play outside because of the rain, but I still want to move my body as much as possible today!” In times like these, here’s a childcare-friendly game we recommend: “Seated Tag.” First, the children start in a seated position.

The rule is that they must keep their bottoms on the floor at all times.

Set a time limit, then play tag while staying seated.

Since it doesn’t involve running, it’s safe and fun to play indoors.

It also helps build leg strength as kids move using their legs and bottoms, so be sure to add it to your play repertoire!

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Marumaru Animal

[Physical Expression] Four Indoor Games That Allow Social Distancing [Nursery School/Kindergarten]

“Marumaru Animal” is a game where you become various animals using different ideas.

At first, teachers or caregivers say things like “Mr.

Rabbit” or “Mr.

Crab” and strike a pose to guide the children.

Once they get used to it, it’s fine to let a child who wants to try take the lead.

Rabbits, elephants, and monkeys are classics with easy-to-understand poses, but you can also intentionally choose animals without standard poses to spark the children’s imagination.

It’ll be fun to see what kinds of animal ideas they come up with.

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