Lovely childcare

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

20 years of experience as a nursery teacher / kindergarten teacherhiyoko sensei
I’m Hiyoko-sensei, a former nursery school teacher from Hyogo Prefecture. Ever since I was five, my dream was to become a childcare worker, and before I knew it, 20 years had passed since I achieved that dream. Through singing and playing with the children, I kept working with the spirit of someone in their twenties, even as I increasingly felt my physical limits year by year (haha). From here on, I’d like to share helpful information carefully and thoughtfully, drawing on my on-site experience.
Nursery Teacher Mom Writertsukada moe
After working for five years at an after-school childcare club and three years at a nursery school, I began working as a freelance writer. I’m a mother of two children. Inspired by playing the flute in the school wind ensemble in elementary school, I joined a jazz club at university. I’ve also incorporated ukulele and piano performance into childcare. Playing, laughing, feeling sad, feeling frustrated—through all kinds of experiences, I want children to grow.

Four-year-olds are starting to interact more with their friends, which also means they experience more inner conflicts.

Be sure to include lots of fun activities and create times when everyone can laugh together.

In addition to outdoor play, it’s great to do plenty of games indoors so children can move their bodies and minds to the fullest.

Indoor play and games aren’t affected by the weather, so it’s reassuring to have a wide variety ready.

This time, we’re introducing a range of games—from classics to ones that engage the body and the mind.

We hope you enjoy a wonderful time filled with the children’s cheerful voices.

[For 4-Year-Olds] A Special Feature on Indoor Play and Game Ideas (71–80)

Picture shiritori

Animal drawing shiritori♪ Drawing animals shiritori cheetah, raccoon dog, giraffe, pig, woodpecker, crayon, Sansan, Kumorin, toys, anime

Picture shiritori

Let me introduce a drawing shiritori game that gets everyone excited while you draw.

The drawing shiritori game can be enjoyed by two or more people.

First, decide on a theme for the first drawing in turn.

The first person draws a picture on paper based on the theme.

The next person looks at the previous person’s drawing and draws a picture that starts with the last letter of the previous drawing’s word.

Take turns and keep going.

It gets even more fun if you set final rules in advance, such as what happens if a word ends with “n” (which would normally end the game) or if someone can’t draw on their turn.

Have fun and give it a try!

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Color Touch Game

[Brain Training] Color Touch Game that even preschoolers can play

Color Touch Game

Move your body while training your memory! Here’s a color touch game idea.

All you need are hula hoops and color markers.

It’s a simple and fun game that kids as young as three can enjoy! Using the hula hoops and color markers, the rule is to touch the color specified by the teacher and then return to your base.

It’s great because kids can move their bodies while memorizing colors.

Start with one color, and as they get used to it, increase to two or three colors to naturally boost memory and reaction speed.

Give it a try!

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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

Here’s a game that tests quick reactions called the “It fell, it fell” game.

The teacher says, “It fell, it fell,” and the children ask, “What fell?” For example, if the teacher says “an apple,” the children should pose as if catching an apple.

If the teacher says “a fist,” they should protect their heads with their hands to avoid getting bonked.

If it’s “thunder,” they should cover their belly buttons with their hands.

If you teach the poses to the children beforehand, they may enjoy participating even more.

Once they get used to it, try changing what falls to make it even more 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 Janken” is a brain-teasing version where winning and losing are reversed.

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

It’s recommended to decide your versions of rock, paper, and scissors beforehand.

In “Newspaper Janken,” you stand on a sheet of newspaper while playing; each time you lose, you fold your newspaper once, making it smaller.

In “Janken Train,” the loser lines up behind the winner, and the number of ‘passengers’ gradually increases.

Find your favorite janken game and give it a try!

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shopping relay

[4-year-olds] Team Competition! Shopping Relay!

shopping relay

Let’s play the Shopping Relay! It’s an exciting game kids really want to try once they’re old enough for team competitions.

First, split the children into two teams and have the first runner wear a basket on their back.

At the starting signal, they run, pick up one ball (pretending it’s a product) from the far side of the room and put it into the basket, then return to the starting point.

They pass the basket to the next child and switch.

Repeat this, and the team whose anchor finishes shopping first wins! Because the basket is on their back, putting the ball in is a bit tricky—but that’s part of the fun.

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