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 Special Feature on At-Home Play Ideas (31–40)

Balloon Play

Balloon Play for 4-Year-Olds

Balloon Play

Balloons floating softly in the air are very safe, so kids can play with them with peace of mind.

Here are some indoor games using balloons.

The “keep it off the floor” game naturally encourages kids to cooperate, calling out to each other to keep the balloon from touching the floor and getting excited together.

In the balloon passing game, form groups of about six and split into teams.

Enjoy sending the balloon from front to back, or passing it under the knees.

The team that can pass the balloon the fastest wins.

You can also stick a strip of plastic tape across the middle of the room and enjoy balloon volleyball or soccer.

Please choose and enjoy games suited to the children’s ages.

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Touch & In-Game

@soramame.sensei
The hot days just keep coming, don’t they? 😵‍💫☀️ We want to move our bodies and play! But it’s way too hot to play outside… Staying indoors can get monotonous when it’s always the same activities… Sora-mame Sensei has an easy solution for those worries 🌟 Get a balloon, a ball, and a basket ready, and let’s all have fun together 🥰 This activity is expected to boost: • Tracking with the eyes • Control of force/strength • Dual-task (doing two things at once) skills ✨ Dual-task training means practicing two tasks simultaneously 💡 In this game, it’s “predicting the balloon’s movement” + “moving to put the ball into the basket” ☺️ Level up your skills while enjoying the game ✊🏻✨♡♡Kotoba no Kyoushitsu Soramame Kids #SoramameKids # developmental support (ryōiku)#KagoshimaRehabilitation Child Development Support Child Development Support Office After-school day service #Indoor Play #StayHomeTime #IndoorPlay Let's play at home child BalloonBoboru play/Boboru...? Boboru Nursery School indoor activity re-Recreation
♬ bright! pleasant! Heart acoustic – 3KTrack

Let’s play while learning power control! Here are some touch-and-in-game ideas.

These play ideas are recommended for kids who are good at tidying up and for those who struggle with it.

In this game, you keep tapping a balloon so it doesn’t fall while putting color balls scattered on the floor into a basket—it’s a unique combo.

Be careful: if you focus only on putting the balls in the basket, the balloon will drop! Try incorporating this into your activities.

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Moving House Game

[For toddlers, simple, movement play] Moving House Game

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.

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Red Light, Green Light

[Age 3] Daruma-san ga koronda♪

Red Light, Green Light

Let’s play by adding new rules! Here are some ideas for Daruma-san ga Koronda.

Daruma-san ga Koronda is a traditional Japanese game played with one child as “it” (the oni) and the other children as players.

The oni turns around while saying, “Daruma-san ga koronda.” The participants can move forward until the oni finishes saying “Daruma-san ga koronda,” but the moment the oni turns around, the participants must freeze.

By customizing this rule with elements like balance beams, hula hoops, or balls, you can keep the game fresh and fun.

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Color Search Game

[Color Hunt Game!!] Let's Play at Home with the Kids!!

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!

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