A collection of ideas for infant/toddler play, recreation, and games
Play and games help keep children’s minds and bodies healthy and lively.
They nurture physical activity, thinking skills, imagination, and the ability to get along with friends.
Here, we’ve gathered activities and games that preschoolers can enjoy.
There are many kinds: group games, traditional play, pretend and make-believe activities, and sensory play.
You’ll find lots of favorites from nurseries and kindergartens, as well as easy games you can do at home.
Choose fun activities that match your child’s age and development, and enjoy them together!
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Ideas for Toddler Play, Recreation, and Games (51–60)
Candy scoop
Make your own poi! Here are some ideas for a candy scooping game.
Activity corners like this are always a big hit with kids.
This time, let’s try setting up a handmade candy scooping booth.
You’ll need origami paper, pens, scissors, tape, and so on.
A “poi” is the tool used for goldfish scooping, typically a plastic frame with washi paper attached.
The key to this idea is that you can easily make one with origami paper! It could also be fun to make your own candy bags and create a fully original candy scooping corner.
Big Shokuiku Karuta
Get excited! Here are some ideas for a big Food Education Karuta.
Food Education Karuta is a great recommendation because children can have fun learning about food through play.
By using a “big karuta,” which is larger than regular karuta cards, their excitement will grow even more, don’t you think? The contents of Food Education Karuta typically help kids learn about table setting, dining manners, and balanced meals.
Be sure to try incorporating a unique, oversized Food Education Karuta!
Roulette
Make it with paper plates! Here are some roulette ideas.
How about making a roulette and a sugoroku board to enjoy mini games? You will need paper plates, plastic bottle caps, construction paper, origami paper, paper cups, round stickers, pens, tape, scissors, glue, and so on.
You can finish it colorfully using construction paper and origami in your favorite colors, so have fun while making it.
It also sounds fun to complete it together with children in the senior kindergarten class or the toddler class!
Balloon target game
How about a balloon target game? Prepare several inflated balloons and stick them to a wall.
Instead of using real balls, crumpled newspaper balls are recommended.
Have the kids throw those “balls” at the balloons again and again! You can write numbers on the balloons to keep score, or draw different pictures on them and have the kids aim for the balloon with a specified picture—try adding various rules to make it fun.
Reaction Game
Let’s play with color markers! Here’s a reaction game idea.
It’s perfect for anyone who wants to get kids moving and playing together.
Arrange colorful markers in a circle and place a marker or token in the center—then you’re ready to go.
When the teacher gives the signal, participants circle around the center.
You can make it more fun by adding variations, like switching direction when the teacher claps.
It’s a simple game where players try to find the marker that matches the color of the one the teacher raises along with the signal.