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

Clapping game until you drop

Let's all compete together! [Applaud 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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hiyori

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shopping relay

[4-year-olds] Team Competition! 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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sasashina

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Moving House Game

[For toddlers, simple, movement play] Moving House Game

Let’s move to a distant base! Here’s an idea for a “Moving House” game.

In this game, the cue word is “Moving House,” and children simply move from one mat to another.

Once they get used to it, teachers or guardians can try to interrupt them along the course.

The fun part is seeing whether they can complete the move while avoiding the teachers or guardians! It’s also a great idea for deepening bonds among the children by giving them a shared goal.

Play with tissue paper flowers

[At-Home Play] Indoor activities using tissue paper that you can enjoy with your child

Here’s a rainy-day activity using tissue paper that kids can enjoy.

Prepare light-colored construction paper, tissue paper, and a spray mister.

Tear the tissue paper by hand.

Let the children choose their favorite colors.

Tearing the tissue into thinner pieces helps the colors bleed more easily and makes the tissue fluffy—highly recommended.

Gather the torn tissue pieces on the construction paper, then mist them with water.

As the tissue becomes damp, the colors blend together so kids can enjoy the color changes, as well as the tactile sensation of the paper transforming.

Once it’s completely dry, the tissue pieces stick together, creating a single, very colorful sheet.

It’s an activity with tissue paper that’s fun right to the end.

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mayumi

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Bomb game

[Indoor Play] A Game Enjoyable Across Ages [Bomb Game]

The excitement just won’t stop! Here’s a fun idea for a bomb game.

It’s a great way to build concentration and decision-making skills while playing.

All you need is a device that can play music and a ball or balloon.

Have the participants stand in a circle facing each other.

While the music is playing, pass the ball to the person next to you.

When the music stops, whoever is holding the ball loses—simple as that.

It’s sure to be a hit with preschool classes!

big-game hunting

[You can also see childcare in action] Ms. Rio’s active play [Big Game Hunting]

Get the fun going! Here are some ideas for the game “Mōjūgari” (Wild Beast Hunt).

It’s a great way to explore number concepts while playing, so we highly recommend it! The call-and-response is done by having children repeat the teacher’s or caregiver’s lines, so keeping it simple and easy to understand is key.

Rules: The teacher or caregiver tells the children the name of an animal.

The children then form groups and sit down in numbers that match the number of letters in the animal’s name specified by the teacher or caregiver.

Start with animals that have fewer letters, and once they get used to it, switch to animals with more letters so they won’t get bored.

Bingo game

[Bingo Game] Parent-Child Play! For ages 4 to elementary school—there’s no way it won’t be a hit when all you do is write 9 vegetables! (Elementary school kids—time killers and games)

Here’s a bingo game that also helps you learn the names of vegetables.

Prepare paper and a felt-tip pen, and draw a 3×3 grid.

In each square, write the name of a vegetable or draw a picture of one.

You’ll draw vegetable cards one by one; when the same vegetable appears, draw a circle and mark it on your grid.

There’s also a Skull card mixed in: if you draw the Skull card, the vegetable you just drew gets a cross (is canceled).

After the Skull card mode ends, you return to normal mode.

Try it out and see who can get a reach or bingo first!

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mayumi

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