[For 4-Year-Olds] A Collection of Indoor Play and Game Ideas That Get Everyone Excited
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.
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[For 4-Year-Olds] A Collection of Indoor Play and Game Ideas That Get Everyone Excited (21–30)
Boo Foo Woo Game
In this game, the caregiver assigns each child one of the names: “Boo,” “Foo,” or “Woo.” Once given a name, the child can only say that word.
At the signal, the children tell those around them their names and form groups with others who have the same name.
When everyone has gathered together, you’ve succeeded! “Foo” and “Woo” sound especially similar, so they’re easy to confuse.
Listen carefully to what your friends are saying, communicate, and decide accordingly.
When you find someone on the same team, hold hands or gather together, and make it easy for teammates who haven’t found the group yet to recognize you.
Animal Role-Playing Game
Animal Pretend Play is an indoor game where kids become their favorite animals and have fun.
All you need are items like cones and foam blocks.
With the right stimuli, children develop explosiveness, flexibility, and balance.
Standing on one leg like a flamingo helps train balance, and moving like a gorilla or leopard enhances full-body athletic ability by enjoying each animal’s characteristic movements.
It’s a lively activity you can do indoors, so keep spirits high even on rainy days.
Storm, storm—oh, great storm.
A game that seems great for developing children’s listening skills: “Arashi Arashi Oo-Arashi.” First, the children split into Trees and Squirrels.
The Tree children pair up, face each other, hold hands, and make a tunnel.
Each Squirrel child stands inside one of these tunnels.
Next, the caller says, “Arashi, arashi, oo-arashi,” and then calls one of the following: “Ookami ga kitazo” (A wolf is coming), “Kikori ga kitazo” (A woodcutter is coming), or “Oo-arashi ga kitazo” (A big storm is coming).
If “A wolf is coming,” the Squirrels move and run to a different Tree.
If “A woodcutter is coming,” the Tree children run, form new pairs with different partners, and go to the Squirrels.
If “A big storm is coming,” everyone runs: form new pairs with different partners and become Trees, or become Squirrels and go under a Tree.
crouching game
Let’s incorporate squatting and try various games! First, while staying squatted, make a train with your friends and move along like snails.
Moving while squatting is pretty tricky, so some children may lose their balance—but that’s part of the fun, too.
You can also squat on top of a towel and play a friendly tug-of-war with your friends.
Or place a towel or a tissue on your head and carefully stand up and squat down without letting it fall—slowly, slowly.
You’ll need a spacious classroom with no obstacles to play these games, but on days when the hall or multipurpose room is available, please give them a try!
Fruits Basket
Fruit Basket, a game that puts a smile on everyone’s face, is perfect for 4-year-olds.
Before starting, assign each child the name of a fruit.
When the tagger calls out a fruit, the children with that fruit name switch seats—simple as that.
When the tagger says “Fruit Basket,” everyone has to move, so it’s adorable to see the kids perk up and listen closely to what the tagger will say.
The little bits of chaos during the game are part of the fun, and the children’s excited cheers fill the room.
It’s a classic that never fails to thrill—let’s all have a great time together!
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!
Churippu sharippu
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.