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 (51–60)

Pasta Twirling Race

[After-school Day Service] Pasta Wrapping Race! 🍝

Pasta Twirling Race

Here’s a perfect indoor activity: the Pasta Twirl Relay.

Prepare “pasta” by using yarn on a paper plate and attach it with tape.

On the untaped end of the yarn, fix a cardboard tube (like a plastic wrap core).

During the race, hold the tube and spin it to wind up the yarn.

It’s a fun contest to see who can wind the yarn “pasta” onto the tube the fastest.

You can make it even more exciting by placing a cutout of an animal with an open mouth between the paper plate and the tube, along with a panel that looks like it’s eating.

Timing each round and racing against the clock can also add to the fun.

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Number Touch Game

[Therapeutic Play Introduction] Number Touch Game #AfterSchoolDayService #NurseryTeacher #ChildcareWorker #Kanagawa

Number Touch Game

Here’s a number-touch game you can play by touching numbers posted on a wall.

Write numbers on pieces of paper and stick them randomly on the wall.

Have the children memorize where each number is.

The teacher calls out a number, and the children touch the number that was called.

It’s also a game that trains memory and quick reactions as they recall where the number is.

Be sure to place the numbers at a height the children can reach.

Changing the colors of the papers or adding other variations may make them easier to remember.

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Bomb Game

[Guaranteed to be a big hit with toddlers] An ultra-easy “Bomb Game” you can play

Bomb Game

This is a simple “Bomb Game” you can play with a rubber ball.

The rules are like dodgeball: use tape lines or mats to divide the area in advance, and players move from mat to mat while avoiding getting hit by the ball.

First, explain that “the ball is a bomb, so you mustn’t get hit.” Start by tossing the ball gently, and as everyone gets used to it, increase the difficulty by changing the trajectory or throwing faster using the wall or floor.

The kids will love the thrill, and it’s sure to be a hit!

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What’s in the box? quiz

[Quiz] 4-Year-Old Mystery Box Challenge!! #shorts #AtHomePlay

What's in the box? quiz

This game involves putting your hand into a box where you can’t see the contents and guessing what’s inside using only your sense of touch.

It’s often featured on TV shows, so some children may have seen it before.

Any box that can fit a hand and an object—like a cardboard box—will work.

Cut a hole where the hand goes in, and leave one side open so the contents can be seen from the front.

Then just place the item inside and you’re ready to go.

Choose objects your child is familiar with to make it easier to guess.

It helps develop the ability to think, “What could it be?” and the imagination to wonder, “Maybe it’s this?” Give it a try!

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Picture shiritori

Animal drawing shiritori♪ Drawing animals shiritori cheetah, raccoon dog, giraffe, pig, woodpecker, crayon, Sansan, Kumorin, toys, anime

Picture shiritori

Here’s a drawing game that gets everyone excited: Picture Shiritori.

You can enjoy Picture Shiritori with two or more players.

First, decide on a theme for the drawings.

The first player draws a picture that fits the theme.

The next player looks at the previous drawing and draws something that starts with the last letter of the previous word.

Continue in turn.

It gets even more fun if you set final rules in advance—like what happens if the word ends with “n” or if someone can’t think of something to draw.

Give it a try and have fun!

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