Lovely childcare

[For 5-Year-Olds] Recommended Indoor Play! A Collection of Exciting Games

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.
9 years of experience as a nursery school teacherShibata Risa
I am an active nursery school teacher with 9 years of experience. After graduating from university, I worked at a daycare center. The time I spent happily with children—playing piano, singing songs, and doing finger-play—are priceless memories to me. Currently, while raising three children of my own, I work at an after-school day service, engaging with children and providing individualized developmental support. Drawing on my diverse experiences as a childcare worker and as a mother, I hope to express and convey my thoughts through writing.

On days when the weather or temperature keeps you from going outside, you end up spending more time indoors, right?

If you’re a teacher looking to incorporate activities that kids can enjoy indoors, this is a must-read.

Here are some recommended indoor play and game ideas for five-year-olds.

From activities that let them move their bodies to ones that make them think, and ones that deepen their interactions with friends—this is a roundup of perfect games for five-year-olds, a time when language skills, motor skills, and social skills grow rapidly!

No special preparation is needed—there are plenty of games you can enjoy right away.

If you add arrangements to suit the children, it will be even more exciting.

Be sure to try playing together!

[For 5-Year-Olds] Recommended Indoor Play! A Roundup of Exciting Games (61–70)

The ‘It fell, it fell’ game

[Nursery/Kindergarten] The “It Fell, It Fell” Game [How to Play, Target Age, Variations]

The 'It fell, it fell' game

Let me introduce a quick-reaction game called “It Fell, It Fell.” The teacher says, “It fell, it fell,” and the children ask, “What fell?” The teacher names what fell.

For example, if the teacher says “an apple,” the children should pose as if they’re catching an apple.

If the teacher says “a fist,” the children should protect their heads with their hands so they don’t get bonked.

If it’s “thunder,” they should hide their belly button with their hands.

It might be more fun if you teach the poses to the children beforehand and then start the game so they can join in easily.

Once they get used to it, it’s also recommended to have fun by changing up what “falls.”

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Rock-paper-scissors is fun even in the rain

[Play] Rock-Paper-Scissors & Recommended Activities [Nursery/Kindergarten]

Rock-paper-scissors is fun even in the rain

Here are some rock-paper-scissors games you can enjoy indoors with kids even on rainy days.

“American Rock-Paper-Scissors” reverses winning and losing, so it makes you think.

“Body Rock-Paper-Scissors” is a game where you use your whole body to show rock, paper, or scissors.

It’s recommended to decide in advance what movements will represent rock, scissors, and paper before you start.

In “Newspaper Rock-Paper-Scissors,” you stand on a sheet of newspaper while playing; if you lose, you fold your newspaper once and make it smaller each time.

In “Rock-Paper-Scissors Train,” the loser lines up behind the winner, and the train of players gradually grows longer.

Try these and find your favorite rock-paper-scissors game!

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Rolling Dodgeball

@toiro_efilagroup
Do you know “Korokoro Dodgeball”?After-school day service #toiro #Kanagawa Prefecture Andante Childcare Worker
♪ Original song – toiro After-school Day – toiro After-school Day

Let me introduce Rolling Dodgeball, a game where you roll the ball instead of throwing it.

The rules are similar to regular dodgeball, but players are split into inside and outside groups, and the ball is rolled to keep the game going.

If an inside player is hit by a ball rolled by someone on the outside, they move to the outside and join their team’s attack from there.

It can also be fun to decide the winner by counting how many players remain inside at the end.

Unlike regular dodgeball, this version uses a soft ball, so you can play safely.

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Hiragana Collection Challenge

@cocoskip
Hello! This is Cocoskip. In today’s video, we’re doing a Hiragana Collection Challenge. How many words that fit the theme can we gather? 🧐#cocoskip Skip here Child Development Support After-school day service #Child Development Support (Japan)#After-school day service Exercise Therapy #Indoor Play #CocoSkipChallenge simulation Play Hiragana Play I love the admins.#IWantToBeOnTheRecommendations
♬ Comical lively cute sports day – SOUND BANK

Here’s a Hiragana-collecting challenge that’s fun both solo and with friends.

Spread out cards on the floor, each with a single hiragana character.

Give a prompt, then collect the hiragana cards that fit the prompt to form words.

Get a stopwatch ready and time how many minutes it takes to complete each word.

Start with just one prompt at first, then gradually increase the number of prompt words to make it more exciting.

It’s also a great game for building concentration and critical thinking, so give it a try!

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stop ball throw

@secondhouseayumu
“Stop Ball Throw!” devised by an occupational therapist. As practice for stopping actions, it helps children develop the ability to look at letters and make decisions 💪🏻 ̖́- We design activities so that the children can enjoy playing every day while also receiving therapeutic support ✨Second House Saiyuyu After-school Day Service (for children with disabilities)Child Development Support Fun workplace Now hiring / Looking for people who want to work Recreation Speech-Language-Hearing Therapist Occupational therapist Physical therapist Nursery teacher / Childcare worker Childcare Worker Fun Play # developmental support (ryōiku)Shall we work together?
♪ Original song – Second House Saiyu-Yui – Second House Saiyu-Yui

Thinking while moving is fun! Let me introduce a stop-ball throwing game idea.

You’ll need colored balls and cards with signs on them.

Place the colored balls on the floor and throw them into a basket.

If a “Stop” card is shown, everyone must freeze, even if they’re in the middle of throwing a ball.

Once the children get used to the rules, it’s fun to add similar-sounding words like “tomato” along with “stop.” Adjust the activity while observing the children’s responses.

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Touch-in game

@bear_kids_official
Group therapy: Touch-in Game. Purpose: - Develop the ability to track with the eyes. - Learn to control the strength of movements. Everyone had fun challenging themselves while cheering each other on 👏Child Development Support After-school day service # developmental support (ryōiku)#Nursery school #Kindergarten Elementary school
♪ Original Song – BEAR KIDS – BEAR KIDS 🧸 Child Development Support / After-School Day Service

Let’s develop tracking skills and a sense of force! Here are some ideas for a touch-in game.

These are perfect for nurturing visual concentration and control of force.

Children can aim to improve their physical abilities while having fun by keeping a balloon from falling and collecting colored balls from the floor into a basket.

Simple yet effective for building concentration, this idea lets kids play by controlling balloons and colored balls—making it a fun game that can be used in after-school day services!

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Stick-pulling sumo

https://www.tiktok.com/@cocoskip/video/7263409574894374152

Here’s an idea for a sumo-style game using a stick.

You’ll need a pool cue, a mat, and a platform.

It’s a fun game that builds strength and balance! Two players hold a single pool cue and pull against each other, trying to either make the opponent step off the platform or let go of the stick.

It also helps develop patience through focused, physical competition.

Since the game starts with the mat and platform setup, it’s a great activity for after-school day services.

Kids can have fun while boosting their fitness and competitive spirit.

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