Lovely childcare

[Childcare] Recommended indoor activities and recreation games for April

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.

April marks the start of a new chapter.

Children who are entering or moving up a grade may feel excited about their new environment, or a little anxious—there are many different reactions.

Many teachers are probably wondering, “What should we do?” as they look for ideas that everyone can enjoy and that naturally help children make friends through play.

So this time, we’re introducing recommended games and activities for April.

We’ve focused on games you can start right away indoors, so please give them a try.

You’ll find yourself with more wonderful moments filled with smiles!

[Childcare] Recommended Indoor Activities and Recreation Games for April (21–30)

The “Come here, come here” game

[Toddler Play] “Come here, come here” game — a play activity that even 3-year-olds can do!

The “Come here, come here” game

An indoor game that gets kids moving: the “Come Here” game.

Everyone lines up against a wall, and when someone calls “Come here,” you take a step forward each time.

Little by little, you move away from the wall.

But if instead of “Come here” the caller shouts, “I’m a ghost!” you have to hurry back to the wall so you don’t get tagged.

If you get tagged, you’re out.

The caller may also fake you out with other words that start with the same “o” sound instead of “ghost” (obake), so don’t be fooled—decide quickly whether to run back or keep moving!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Finding commonalities

Finding Common Ground Icebreaker

Finding commonalities

April often brings new beginnings and new structures, which means lots of self-introductions and chances to promote yourself.

But many people are a bit shy and find it hard to put themselves out there.

In those moments, how about a “find something in common” game? Basically, you pair up and simply take turns stating things you have in common.

It can be anything, no matter how small.

As you go back and forth, the tension eases and it becomes easier to feel closer, so it’s highly recommended.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

The Falling-Falling Game

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

The Falling-Falling Game

“Ochita ochita” is a gesture game where you play out things falling from the sky.

The three things that can fall are an apple, lightning, and a fist.

After the call “O-chita, o-chita! Nani ga ochita?” (“It fell, it fell! What fell?”), if someone says “apple,” you make a pose catching the apple with both hands in front of your chest; if it’s “lightning,” you firmly protect your belly button; if it’s “fist,” you protect your head.

It gets lively if you throw in trick words along the way to see if anyone makes the wrong move.

It’s also fun to add your own original poses.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

The Little Bird’s Move

[Exercise & Gymnastics Kids Enjoy] “Little Bird Moving House” Recommended from Age 3 / Rule-based movement games and exercise/gymnastics educational videos from ‘Okaasan to Issho’ to improve motor skills

The Little Bird’s Move

Kids love chase-and-run games, and many of them can’t help getting excited.

“Little Birds Moving House” is a chase-style game, too.

Players claim walls (or similar spots) as their home base and try to reach the wall on the opposite side without getting caught by the tagger, moving along while staying seated in their “territory.” At the tagger’s signal—“We’re moving!”—everyone moves.

The tagger gradually powers up into stronger and stronger creatures, changing the sounds they make each time as they give chase.

The tagger can also throw in feints to make the game more exciting.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Birthday chain

Game | Birthday Chain

Birthday chain

“Birthday Chain” is a game where everyone lines up in order from the earliest to the latest birthday.

But there’s one important rule: no talking at all.

Everyone has to use gestures to communicate and arrange themselves.

The more people there are, the more chaotic and difficult it gets.

If the group is large, it’s recommended to first sort by month and then line up within each month.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Copycat Animals

[Have Fun with Music] Try imitating animal movements with “Copycat Animals”

Copycat Animals

Here’s a copycat animal game that kids of different ages can enjoy while moving their bodies.

Along with a piano melody, the teacher says the name of an animal and imitates it.

The children enjoy moving like the animal in their own way, at a level that suits their age.

You might even see the younger children copying the movements of the older ones.

It could also be fun to ask the children what animals they can think of as you go along.

This copycat animal play is a great way to get kids moving indoors—give it a try!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Gesture Game

Kids Game | Animal Gesture Quiz (fun for children: toddlers, preschool, daycare, indoor play, popular, cute)

Gesture Game

It’s the familiar “gesture game” you often see on TV variety shows.

It’s a game where you guess what someone is doing using only gestures.

Since you don’t need to prepare anything in particular, it’s a recreation you can enjoy anytime, anywhere, with any number of people.

The basic rule is to have others guess using gestures only, but if it’s difficult or for small children, it might be fine to give verbal hints.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem