Lovely childcare

[Age 5] Exciting and fun! A special feature on ideas for at-home play

20 years of experience as a nursery teacher / kindergarten teacherhiyoko sensei
I’m Hiyoko-sensei, a former nursery school teacher from Hyogo Prefecture. Ever since I was five, my dream was to become a childcare worker, and before I knew it, 20 years had passed since I achieved that dream. Through singing and playing with the children, I kept working with the spirit of someone in their twenties, even as I increasingly felt my physical limits year by year (haha). From here on, I’d like to share helpful information carefully and thoughtfully, drawing on my on-site experience.
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

By the age of five, more children can enjoy games with rules and have fun competing in games with friends and adults.

In this article, we’ll introduce at-home activities that are perfect for five-year-olds.

We’ve gathered a variety of ideas—from games with easy-to-understand rules, to activities that get kids moving indoors, to crafts that are fun to make—so feel free to use them as a reference and give them a try.

Not only for times when you can’t play outside, but also for those moments when you just feel like staying in, we hope you’ll enjoy these with your family and siblings.

[Age 5] Exciting and Fun! A Collection of At-Home Play Ideas (41–50)

Chick Sumo

Indoor play! Chick Sumo for toddlers and up. Try it with a big group☆ Build ankle flexibility while you play.

Chick Sumo

People from preschoolers to adults can join! Here’s an idea for “Chick Sumo.” It’s a perfect game for training ankle flexibility while playing.

While squatting, hold your ankles and move forward.

If your hands or bottom touch the floor, you lose—simple as that.

Move carefully so you don’t lose your balance.

Once you get used to it, try battling in groups of five or six in class.

A tournament format, where the last person remaining advances, also sounds fun!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Gesture Game

[For 5-year-olds] Can you really get into character?! Gesture game!

Gesture Game

Move your body to match the theme! Here are some gesture game ideas.

Gesture games are a great way to have fun while staying active indoors.

Imitate gestures based on a theme to act out animals, vehicles, everyday actions, and more! Through play, kids can develop communication skills and creativity.

Once they’re comfortable with simple gestures, try making the themes a bit more complex.

You can just picture children laughing and playing together with friends, teachers, and parents.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Pull hoop play

https://www.tiktok.com/@soramame.sensei/video/7230741022383312146

Thoughtfulness is the key to victory! Here’s a fun idea for a pulling-hoop game.

Prepare a hula hoop or a ring made from newspaper, some decorative tape (suzuran tape), and start and goal lines.

The person who is moving should walk in step with the moving hula hoop.

Be careful to keep your feet inside the hoop and maintain your balance.

The person pulling the hoop should control the speed and force to guide their teammate to the goal! Give it a try!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

playing camp

[Indoor Play] Pretend Camping with 2- and 4-Year-Olds: Seria Stove and Kids’ Tent

playing camp

When it’s rainy and you can’t go play outside, why not enjoy a camping vibe at home? Pitch a tent indoors, try some camp-style meals, or switch off the room lights and spend time by lantern light—there are lots of ways to have fun right at home.

There are also play sets designed for pretend camping, like toy kits that include essentials such as a lantern, cooking gear, and a campfire, so using those is a great idea too.

Just spending your time a little differently than usual can make your at-home hours much more fulfilling.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Handkerchief-snatching game

🧡No.2 [Parent-Child Play / Improve Athletic Ability] “Handkerchief Grab Game” Boosts Reflexes‼️ So fun 😄

Handkerchief-snatching game

The classic indoor rainy-day game “Handkerchief Grab” can be enjoyed in a variety of versions depending on the rules.

In this version, players sit on chairs facing each other with their knees almost touching, place a handkerchief in the middle, and grab it when the whistle blows.

You can play with many people or run a tournament with pairs.

There’s also an advanced variation where someone keeps chatting to distract the players and blows the whistle when their attention slips.

It’s a highly recommended game that everyone can enjoy while training their reflexes and coordination!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem