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! Exciting Game Collection (91–100)

Ninja play

[Exercise & Gymnastics for Kids] Recommended Rule-Based Game for 4- and 5-Year-Olds: 'Ninja Play' / Rule-based active games, exercises, and gymnastics educational videos to improve motor skills together with Mom

Ninja play

Kids love to imitate ninjas, don’t they? In this ninja game, let the children fully become ninjas! An adult or teacher walks in front, and the children follow behind in stealth like ninjas.

When the adult suddenly turns around and says, “Who goes there?!” the children must freeze, crouch down, or follow other simple rules you set.

It’s very simple, but role-playing games like this are a big hit with kids!

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Clapping game until you drop

Let's all compete together! [Applaud until you drop]

Clapping game until you drop

It’s a game you can easily play in a compact space without any special preparation or a large area.

The rules are simple: first, each person holds a tissue.

Then, raise your hand above your head, drop the tissue, and compete to see how many times you can clap before it falls.

You’ll stretch to drop it from as high as possible and move quickly to pick it up, so it becomes a full-body activity as well.

The lively sound of clapping fills the room, and it’s great to see everyone smiling and having fun!

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Card flipping

At the Fukui City nursery school sports day, parent-child event: Card Flip! Try this popular game together at the sports day!

Card flipping

“Card Flipping” is becoming a staple event at nursery and kindergarten sports days.

It’s a game where children flip double-sided cards—each side a different color—to their own team’s color within a time limit.

The rules are very simple, but it’s one of those games kids get completely absorbed in.

Once you make the cards, you can enjoy it over and over, so it’s highly recommended! It’s also great because kids can really move their bodies to the fullest.

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Fruits Basket

Group game: Fruit Basket! The new Sumire class takes on the challenge together! Everyday life at Hachiman Kodomoen (Fukui City). April 2018.

Fruits Basket

It’s a classic group game for children, a variation of musical chairs.

The children sit on chairs arranged in a circle facing inward, with one child standing in the middle.

Each child is assigned the name of a fruit, and the child in the middle calls out a fruit name.

The children with that fruit name must stand up and move to a different chair.

The child who can’t find a seat switches places and becomes the one standing in the middle.

The excitement peaks when the caller shouts “Fruit Basket!” and everyone has to stand up at once!

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In conclusion

We introduced indoor game ideas recommended for five-year-olds.

It’s wonderful if, through play, children can learn the importance of following rules and of valuing their friends’ feelings as well as their own.

Let’s suggest lots of fun activities for kids who love excitement and thrills, and help them have a fulfilling time even indoors.