[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.
- For 4-year-olds! Introducing recommended indoor activities, group games, and crafts
- [For 4-Year-Olds] A Collection of Indoor Play and Game Ideas That Get Everyone Excited
- Craft activity ideas for 4-year-olds
- [Childcare] Full of energy! Indoor activity ideas to get kids moving
- Age 4: Simple and Fun! Handmade Toy Ideas
- For 4-year-olds! A collection of indoor home play ideas that make time inside fun
- [For Kids] Indoor Fun! Large-Group Recreational Activities and Games
- Ideas for indoor activities and group games that 5-year-olds like
- Ideas for indoor activities, games, and group play that 5-year-olds enjoy
- May: Craft Ideas That Excite 4-Year-Olds!
- Recommended for 3-year-olds! Fun indoor activities and group game ideas
- [For 4-year-olds] Recommended for August! Craft ideas: Enjoy a variety of motifs
- For 2-year-olds! Fun craft activities and indoor play ideas
[For 4-year-olds] Indoor Group Games and Craft Activity Ideas (31–40)
Run Away from the Hula Hoop Game

Make predictions and control your body movements! Here’s an idea for a “Run Away from the Hula Hoop” game.
It’s an active game that lets kids develop their prediction skills and reaction speed while having a blast.
Within the area where the hula hoop rolls, players move quickly in response to its motion and try to avoid touching it—simple rules.
By making predictions and deciding where to move next, children can improve their body control and sense of balance.
Color Search Game

Let’s look for what colors are hiding around the room! Here are some ideas for a color-finding game.
This activity is appealing thanks to its simple and easy-to-understand rules.
Just color some paper with markers, put the pieces into a paper cup, and you’re ready to play! It feels exciting, like drawing lots.
As you play, it helps improve color recognition, making it a fun and educational activity.
Once you get used to the game, try drawing two pieces of paper and combining the two colors—that sounds fun too.
Give it a try!
Cleaning Eurhythmics

Let’s make use of handkerchiefs and organza fabric! Here are some ideas for “cleaning-themed eurhythmics.” Eurhythmics is an educational method that combines music and movement, and it’s said to be especially effective in early childhood.
This time, let’s play with a cleaning theme through cleaning eurhythmics.
By using handkerchiefs, children can move their hands and arms in time with the music.
A nice benefit is that they can develop a sense of force control and rhythm while having fun.
Using light, soft materials also makes them easier for children to handle!
UFO Tag
@kidschallengeclub♬ UFO – Pink Lady
Spin around and protect the captain! Here’s an idea for a UFO tag game.
It’s a unique game that really tests teamwork! Form teams of three, hold hands, and dodge the tagger so your captain doesn’t get caught.
Choose a captain among the three and have them wear a bib number so the tagger can easily tell who it is—highly recommended.
The key is to hold hands firmly so no one lets go!
Rock-Paper-Scissors Sugoroku
@kidschallengeclub♬ EMA – go!go!vanillas
Turn your room into a sugoroku board! Here’s an idea for a Rock-Paper-Scissors Sugoroku game.
Sugoroku is a traditional Japanese board game where you advance squares using dice.
However, in this version, you don’t use dice—you move forward by playing rock-paper-scissors.
The rules are simple: win to advance, lose and go back to the start.
Kids can join in easily.
Set up items like mats, balance beams, or vaulting boxes in the room to represent the squares.
[For 4-year-olds] Ideas for group games and craft activities that can be done indoors (41–50)
Talking Game
@soramame.sensei How can I get it across?Talking Gameword# developmental support (ryōiku)Let's play together as parent and child#StayHomeTime
♬ Athletic Meet “Heaven and Hell” (No Introduction) – Shinonome
Build thinking and communication skills! Here are some ideas for a talking game.
Talking games are fun activities that use words to strengthen communication and creativity.
Have two people sit facing each other, and place a divider between them so they can’t see what the other is doing.
Once both have the same type and number of blocks in front of them, you’re ready to start! One person assembles the blocks while clearly explaining what they’re doing using only words.
The other listens carefully, thinks through the instructions, and assembles the blocks accordingly.
Give it a try!
Ball-grabbing game
https://www.tiktok.com/@bear_kids_official/video/7462181871137361153Let’s control our actions by following the instructions we hear! Here’s an idea for a ball-grabbing game.
In this game, while touching the body part instructed by a teacher or guardian, you quickly react to the word “ball” and pick up a ball placed on the floor.
Once the players get used to it, you can increase the number of instruction words.
For example, start with three words like “head,” “tummy,” and “bottom,” and feel free to adjust the rules according to the child’s level of understanding and responsiveness.


