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 Picks (81–90)

Hat-taking game

Hat-snatching game: preschoolers vs. caregivers

Hat-taking game

This is the “Hat-Grabbing Game,” where you do your best to run away so the tagger doesn’t take your hat.

Like in tag, you choose someone to be “it.” The tagger’s goal is to grab hats, so everyone else runs to keep their hats from being taken.

The game ends when the tagger has taken everyone’s hat.

You can also set a time limit and say that anyone whose hat wasn’t taken by the end wins—that can make it more exciting.

It’s a recommended game that works both outdoors and indoors.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Shape imitation game

[Therapeutic Play Introduction] Let's train concentration ♪ #AfterSchoolDayService #NurseryTeacher #ChildInstructor #Kanagawa

Shape imitation game

Here’s a shape-matching game using cotton swabs.

Put a strip of tape on a table and create a shape on one side using cotton swabs.

Children look at the completed shape and then use cotton swabs to make the same shape on the opposite side of the tape.

If they get stuck, it’s a good idea to support them with hints so they can create the same shape, watching over them and working together.

As they get used to it, try making the shapes slightly more difficult or increasing the number of cotton swabs to add variety.

For the tape on the table, colorful tape is recommended because it’s easier to see and understand.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

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!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Number Touch Game

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

Number Touch Game

Let me introduce a number-touch game where children touch numbers posted on the wall.

Prepare by writing numbers on pieces of paper and sticking them randomly on the wall.

Have the children memorize where each number is.

The teacher calls out a number, and the children play by touching that number.

It also trains memory and quick reactions as they recall where the called number is.

Try setting the numbers at a height within children’s reach.

You might make the numbers easier to remember by changing the color of the paper or adding other creative touches.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

horizontal tug-of-war

Yoko Tug-of-War – An All-Participant Indoor Game

horizontal tug-of-war

When you think of tug-of-war, you probably picture everyone lined up in a single file pulling straight back.

But in this “sideways tug-of-war,” players line up side by side and pull horizontally.

You can enjoy it without deciding a winner, but you could also set rules—like creating two team territories, and if a certain number of players get pulled into the opponent’s territory, that team loses.

A slightly spacious classroom is enough to play.

Try it with children who can’t go outside and have energy to spare.

It’s also great as a sports day event!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem