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 Indoor Play Ideas (11–20)

Quick Towel Grab Game

https://www.tiktok.com/@cocorurueniwa/video/7477760412616772872

Sharpen your judgment and reflexes! Here’s a fun quick-grab towel game idea.

What you’ll need: white towels and flags.

Pair up in twos and sit facing each other across a table.

When the teacher raises a flag, quickly grab a towel.

Once everyone gets used to the rules, add a second or third towel color to make it more exciting! Watch carefully to determine the color of the flag the teacher raises, then find the specified color among the towels on the table and pull it toward you.

Give it a try!

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Ring-Collecting Game

https://www.tiktok.com/@toiro_efilagroup/video/7369387611279887624

Fun to make! Fun to play! Here’s an idea for a ring-collecting game.

You’ll need origami paper in your favorite colors, scissors, and glue.

First, cut the origami paper into long, narrow strips and glue the ends to make rings.

Using colorful paper can stimulate a sense of color and help develop fine motor skills.

Once the rings are ready, give each person a pair of chopsticks or a straw and enjoy a game of collecting the rings! It’s a great way to foster concentration.

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sensory toy play

[Indoor Play] Sensory Toys from the Tummy Time Stage #TexturePlay #0YearOlds

sensory toy play

Fun for all ages! Here are some sensory toy play ideas.

You’ll need: food storage bags, colored water, oil, azuki beans, erasers, toy goldfish, beads, bells, hair gel, and tape.

Put the hair gel and the prepared materials into the bag! Changing up the colors and textures makes the sensations different and really interesting.

Sensory toys aren’t just for infants—preschoolers love them too.

They’re great because kids can enjoy them by looking and touching, so they come highly recommended.

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LaQ

[LaQ] (1) A LaQ present: the kids are opening the box—what’s inside, I wonder? (2nd grader and kindergartener, senior class)

LaQ

LaQ is a popular puzzle block set that lets kids learn through play.

By combining pieces of various shapes, children can create flat figures, 3D forms, and even spheres.

Following building guides for vehicles, houses, animals, and more, they connect each piece one by one.

As they assemble the blocks step by step, they can also train their logical thinking and concentration.

Plus, it’s a toy that helps deepen bonds and share the fun of cooperation when making creations with family and friends.

Why not incorporate it into at-home play ideas for five-year-olds who are starting to master more complex movements?

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nervous breakdown

[Concentration] How good is a 3-year-old’s memory?

nervous breakdown

Concentration is a memory game where you search for two cards with the same number from a set placed face down.

It trains thinking skills—“Where was the card with that number again?”—and lets you check children’s memory.

First, lay the playing cards face down on the floor.

After deciding the order of turns, each player flips two cards.

If the numbers match, the player keeps the pair.

Continue until there are no cards left, and compete by the number of cards collected.

It’s also recommended to try variations, such as using only numbers 1 through 5.

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