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 (91–100)
Handkerchief-snatching game
The classic indoor game you can play even on rainy days, the “Handkerchief Grab,” has lots of fun variations depending on the rules.
In this version, players sit on chairs facing each other with their knees touching, place a handkerchief in the middle, and grab it when the whistle blows.
It works well with a larger group, or you can do head-to-head matches and make it a tournament.
There’s also a high-level version where someone keeps chatting to distract players, then blows the whistle when their attention slips.
It’s a recommended game that everyone can enjoy while training reflexes and coordination!
Bingo Relay
Let me introduce a game called “Bingo Relay,” which gets kids using both their heads and bodies.
You’ll need bingo squares—prepare nine items you can use to mark off spaces, like mini hoops.
If you’re outside, you can draw circles on the ground instead.
Arrange them in a 3×3 grid.
Divide the children into two teams, and have only the first three players on each team hold their team markers.
At the signal, the first player from each team runs to the bingo grid and places their marker inside a ring.
When they’re done, they run back, tag the next player, and switch.
The team that first completes a line—vertical, horizontal, or diagonal—wins.
Starting from the third move onward, players should move one of their own team’s already placed pieces instead of adding a new one.
It’s a fun game that requires quick thinking!
Ideas for Infant/Toddler Play, Recreation, and Games (101–110)
Run Away from the Hula Hoop Game
Great for group play! Here’s an idea for a “Run from the Hula Hoop” game.
All you need is a large hula hoop.
The rules are simple: children try not to get hit by a hula hoop that a parent or teacher rolls.
The key is to move while predicting the hoop’s speed and direction.
Once everyone gets used to the game, adding variations to how the hoop moves will keep kids engaged and prevent boredom.
Give it a try and include it in your activities!
Hula hoop down
Here’s an idea for a “Hula-Hoop Down” activity.
Form teams of 7–8 people and lift a hoop using only everyone’s index fingers.
The key is to work together and communicate so you don’t drop the hula-hoop as you lower it from chest height to the floor.
It helps to coordinate your timing by watching the hoop’s movement and calling out cues like “Lowering now” and “Let’s stop.” It’s funny—if everyone’s mindset isn’t aligned, the hula-hoop somehow starts to tilt! Give it a try!
Hula hoop relay
Let’s clear the game by cooperating with friends! Here’s an idea for a hula-hoop relay.
It’s perfect for a sports day event for five-year-olds and is a great game for building teamwork.
Everyone holds hands and, without letting go, passes the hula hoop from person to person—working together is the key! Children will learn the importance of cooperation as they value teamwork and call out to encourage each other.
Through this event, they’ll deepen their bonds with friends and experience a real sense of accomplishment.
Hula hoop relay
Let’s move a hula hoop without holding it with our hands! Here’s an idea for a hula-hoop relay.
All you need is a large hula hoop.
First, hang the hula hoop on one person’s right wrist, then have them hold hands with another person.
Without grabbing the hula hoop, can you move it along to the other person’s left wrist while keeping your hands joined? Once you get used to it, try sending the hula hoop back and forth, or increase the number of participants to make the game more challenging.
It’s a fun way to enjoy cooperating with friends while following the rules.
Throwing honeycomb balls through a hoop
Great for Halloween too! Here’s an idea for a game where you make a spiderweb with a hula hoop and throw balls at it.
You’ll need a hula hoop, clear tape, black construction paper, scissors or a craft knife, and colorful balls.
Use the black construction paper to make a spiderweb and a spider.
Attach strips of clear tape across the inside of the hula hoop to create a target.
When you throw the colorful balls, it looks like they get caught in the web, which is really fun! If you don’t have a hula hoop, you can make a ring by cutting poster paper into long strips and connecting them into a loop.