Ideas for indoor activities, games, and group play that 5-year-olds enjoy

Rock-Paper-Scissors Train

Buu’s Visit to the Nursery School (Rock-Paper-Scissors Train)

A classic kids’ game: the “Rock-Paper-Scissors Train.” Here’s how to play.

First, play some music and have everyone walk freely around the room.

When the music stops, find a nearby friend and play rock-paper-scissors.

The person who loses stands behind the winner and places both hands on the winner’s shoulders.

Repeat this, and the person who ends up at the front at the end is the winner! It’s a simple game, but before you know it, everyone’s hooked—great fun as a recreation activity.

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sasashina

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Copycat Animals

[Have Fun with Music] Try imitating animal movements with “Copycat Animals”

Here’s a copycat animal game that kids of different ages can enjoy while moving their bodies.

Along with a piano melody, the teacher says the name of an animal and imitates it.

The children enjoy moving like the animal in their own way, at a level that suits their age.

You might even see the younger children copying the movements of the older ones.

It could also be fun to ask the children what animals they can think of as you go along.

This copycat animal play is a great way to get kids moving indoors—give it a try!

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mayumi

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Seated tag

[Indoor Active Play] Have Fun with Seated Tag [Elementary School Kids]

“We can’t play outside because of the rain, but I still want to move my body as much as possible today!” In times like these, here’s a childcare-friendly game we recommend: “Seated Tag.” First, the children start in a seated position.

The rule is that they must keep their bottoms on the floor at all times.

Set a time limit, then play tag while staying seated.

Since it doesn’t involve running, it’s safe and fun to play indoors.

It also helps build leg strength as kids move using their legs and bottoms, so be sure to add it to your play repertoire!

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kepiko

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straw airplane

[For 4-year-olds] Let’s make a straw airplane!

Let me introduce a straw airplane.

Prepare a straw, a shorter sheet of construction paper, a longer sheet of construction paper, and cellophane tape, and let’s make it.

Roll up each of the short and long pieces of construction paper and tape them into rings.

Attach a strip of tape horizontally to one end of the straw, then stick the smaller paper ring to that end; do the same on the other end with the larger paper ring to complete it.

When flying and playing, make sure no one is around and use a wide, open space.

It could also be fun to race by launching multiple airplanes against each other.

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mayumi

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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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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.

Cat and Mouse

[You can see the childcare in action] Teacher Rio’s active play [Cat and Mouse]

Which team will win? Here’s a game idea called Cats and Mice.

What you need are designated areas for each team.

Make the most of the room so the children can move around freely and play in a spacious environment.

Split into a Cat team and a Mouse team, and play a game where you try to return to your territory without getting caught by the teacher.

It’s a fun activity that makes kids burst into laughter, with the tension of listening carefully so they don’t mishear, and the exhilarating feeling of running away! In the end, which team will have more members? Give it a try!