[For 4-year-olds] Ideas for group games and craft activities that can be done indoors
Four-year-olds are at a stage of major growth toward independence, developing social skills as they learn to express their feelings and thoughts in words and deepen their relationships with friends.
In this article, we’ll share plenty of indoor play ideas that help promote the development of four-year-olds.
From group games that are fun while following rules with friends to creative projects that let them express themselves freely as their imaginations grow, we’ve gathered lots of activities that children can join with excitement!
Even on days when you can’t go outside, let’s spend fulfilling time with children by incorporating a variety of indoor games.
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[For 4-year-olds] Ideas for group indoor games and craft activities (71–80)
Rhythm Play
Let’s enjoy a “rhythm play” that will get your body moving naturally! Tap your knees twice—ton, ton—and then clap your hands once in front of your chest—pan.
To the rhythm of “ton-ton-pan,” the leader changes the “pan” part and names a body part.
For example, “ton-ton head,” “ton-ton butt,” etc.
Everyone else taps their knees twice and then touches the body part the leader names.
Try to keep up with the rhythm without falling behind! As a fun variation, the leader can say an animal name like “ton-ton monkey!” and everyone can imitate its sound, such as “ton-ton ook-kee!” That would be entertaining too.
Opposite Words Quiz
Big and Small! Here are some ideas for an opposites-word quiz.
It’s a fun, educational quiz perfect for preschoolers.
By asking questions that use familiar opposites—like big and small, long and short—you can deepen their understanding of words.
Children can learn opposites through play and develop the ability to choose words that fit different situations.
Including clear visuals or examples makes it even more engaging and enjoyable to learn.
Give it a try!
Storm Storm Big Storm Game
Let’s play using our heads and bodies! Here’s an idea for the Big Storm Game.
Depending on the age group, it’s helpful to prepare visual aids like sample diagrams or origami markers.
Assign one child as the squirrel and two children as the trees.
At the teacher’s cue, “A wolf is coming!” the squirrel moves to a different tree.
At the cue, “A lumberjack is coming!” the trees move to a different squirrel.
At the cue, “A big storm is coming!” everyone moves and pairs up with different friends.
To start, try playing while using the sample diagram or markers as guides!
Handmade microphone
Let me introduce a cute original microphone craft.
Prepare a plastic wrap tube, a capsule toy container, origami paper, and yarn, and let’s make it.
Wrap the origami paper around the plastic wrap tube so that a bit of the paper sticks out on either the left or right side.
On the side where the paper sticks out, tape on the yarn, crumple the extra paper to make it small, and tuck it into the center of the wrap tube—this completes the microphone handle.
Next, place the capsule toy container on top of the wrap tube and tape it so it won’t fall off, and your microphone is complete! Draw a switch on the handle, and add illustrations or stickers as you like to create your very own original microphone.
Number Touch Game
Let me introduce a number-touch game where you touch numbers posted on the wall.
Prepare by writing numbers on pieces of paper and sticking them randomly on the wall.
Have the children memorize the positions of the numbers on the wall.
The teacher calls out a number, and the children touch that number—this is the game.
It also helps train memory and reaction speed by remembering where the called number is.
Adjust the height of the numbers to match the children’s reach and give it a try.
You can also make the numbers easier to remember by using different colors of paper or other creative touches.
A game using clothespins
Let me introduce a game that uses everyday clothespins.
Get a cardboard tube from plastic wrap, a paper plate, and some clothespins, and give it a try.
Place the paper plate on top of the cardboard tube, then gently place clothespins on the plate one by one.
The key is to place them carefully so they don’t fall.
The player who drops a clothespin loses.
It also sounds fun to clip the clothespins onto the edge of the paper plate! Drawing on the cardboard tube or the paper plate might make the game even more exciting.
Give it a try!
chimney game
You’ll need a bit of open space to play this game, but I think the kids will love it—so give it a try! For preparation, stand a mat (or something similar) upright and roll it into a cylinder to make a “chimney.” An adult goes inside the chimney while the children wait around it.
At the starting signal, the children throw balls, aiming to get them into the chimney.
The adult should block the balls so they don’t go in, and push any that do get in back out.
It’s a fun active game that will warm up your whole body if you play it in winter.
