A collection of ideas for infant/toddler play, recreation, and games

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
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.

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!

Ideas for Toddler Play, Recreation, and Games (71–80)

Ball-grabbing game

https://www.tiktok.com/@bear_kids_official/video/7462181871137361153

Let’s control our actions by following the instructions we hear! Here’s an idea for a ball-grabbing game.

In this game, while touching the body part instructed by a teacher or guardian, you quickly react to the word “ball” and pick up a ball placed on the floor.

Once the players get used to it, you can increase the number of instruction words.

For example, start with three words like “head,” “tummy,” and “bottom,” and feel free to adjust the rules according to the child’s level of understanding and responsiveness.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Ball Battle

@koutokugiht
Let’s build all kinds of skills while having fun with a ball battle! Staff of the same age gave it a try 😆#Takatoku #Gifted Torera Child Development Support Developmental Support After-school day service #After-school day service Koutoku TikTok Squad Company Company #IWantToGoViral Company Company IntroductionDaily life #AtWork #Shikoku #TokushimaStaffDailyLife #CorporateAccountMid-career recruitmentNow Hiring #Service Manager for Child Development Support #Manager Responsible for Child Development Support #Nursery Teacher #Child Guidance Staff #Physical Therapist #Occupational Therapist #Speech-Language-Hearing Therapist#PT #OT #ST Recruitment Recruitment Interview New staff member Newcomer
♬ Original song – Koutoku TikTok Corps – Gifted Trailer

Build decision-making skills through play! Here’s a ball battle game idea.

For children, decision-making is an essential skill in everyday life and learning.

By developing the ability to think things through and choose, and to act appropriately based on the situation, they grow more independent and learn to think and make decisions on their own.

This time, let’s nurture decision-making skills while playing a ball battle game.

Pair up in twos and face each other; place some colored balls between you and you’re ready to go! If you lose rock-paper-scissors, run away quickly; if you win, watch your opponent’s movements and throw a ball.

Give it a try!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Pom-pom curling

@tomonite_official
Looks so fun! 🤩 It’s also cool how it puffs up when you tap it 💡 You can make it easily with materials you have at home, so give it a try ✨ Please do this activity together with an adult and keep safety in mind. We’re featuring a post from Instagram by @hanamama.ikuji ✨ Thank you for the lovely post. ↓↓↓ ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ Puff-up Tap Tap Curling [Materials] ・Plastic bag ・Construction paper (cardboard or a template works too 🙆‍♀️) ・Paper roll core ・Scissors ・Cellophane tape ・Double-sided tape [How-to tips] ・If there’s anywhere air can escape, it won’t puff up, so firmly tape the mouth of the bag—folded three times—all the way to the edges. ・The rest can be pretty loose 🤣 A play idea kids get super excited about❣️ Activities where they can feel the difference—like saying “Softer!” or “That was too strong!”—help them learn to adjust their strength 💡 Save this and try it together as a parent–child activity ✨ ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ This is Tomonite @tomonite_official. Even on busy days, we want family time to be full of smiles! We share: ・Time-saving housework and parenting hacks ・Handy items with great time and cost performance ・Relatable parenting moments and heartwarming videos ✨A small favor✨ Likes and comments mean the world to us! If you found this post helpful or enjoyable, we’d love it if you’d leave a 👶 in the comments! Please use this idea with safety in mind. All posts featured by Tomonite are used with permission from the original creators. Comments that may hurt others may be hidden by our team. We’d be so happy if everyone could enjoy friendly conversations and lots of interaction here ✨Curling work Simple toy #AtHomePlay #ParentingHack
♬ POP IN 2_Official Oshi no Ko – TV Anime [Oshi no Ko] Official

Make it with materials you have at home! Here’s an idea for “Pom-Pom Curling.” Curling is a sport played on ice where teams take turns throwing heavy circular stones called “stones,” competing against each other.

This time, let’s use items you have at home to play Pom-Pom Curling! What you’ll need: construction paper, a toilet paper roll, a bag, scissors, double-sided tape, and tape.

It looks like a great way to develop control over force and strategic thinking.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Daikon-pulling game

@kidschallengeclub ♬ Anyway, Busy – Various Artists & Ken Ito

A game that kids and adults can enjoy! Here are some ideas for the Daikon Pulling Game.

It’s a fun game that works well with both small and large groups! The rules are simple and easy to understand, so anyone—from children to adults—can join in.

Divide into the “daikon” role and the “puller” role, and give it a try.

It gets even more exciting with larger groups, but it’s still plenty of fun with fewer people, making it great for any group size.

Once everyone gets the hang of it, trying team matches and competing for time sounds like a lot of fun!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Abdominal Muscle Chain Game

@machan.kidsbodyspecialty
Fun ways to train your abs#Motor skills Core Parent-child gymnastics #ParentingConcerns Exercise Therapy
♬ Kids & Toys – FASSounds

A unique game to build core strength! Here’s an idea for an Ab Chain Game.

Your core plays an important role when standing, sitting, walking, and running.

Developing a strong core is essential for balance and good posture.

This time, let’s try the Ab Chain Game to train your core while having fun.

Get ready by lying on your back in a circle with your friends! Starting with the child holding the ball, use your abs to lift your upper body and pass the ball to the next friend.

The key is to hold the ball firmly with both hands!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem