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 (31–40)
Masking tape toy
Stick 2–3 strips of masking tape horizontally on the wall, leaving a small gap in the middle to form a tunnel.
Then drop balls or beanbags through it—simple and fun.
It helps children develop control of hand strength, aiming skills, and concentration.
You can place a box underneath and adjust how loose the tape is to match each child’s developmental level.
Children with disabilities can also enjoy success at their own pace, building confidence.
It’s easy to start with everyday materials, and it naturally brings smiles to children’s faces!
the head monk at a temple
The hand game song “Otera no Oshō-san” is so common that it feels like everyone played it as a child—something every generation goes through.
You pair up, face each other, and in the first half you clap your hands together.
In the second half, hand motions are added to match the lyrics, and it ends with a game of rock-paper-scissors.
Unlike many hand game songs that simply end after singing, this one decides a winner at the end with rock-paper-scissors.
It’s also fun how the rock-paper-scissors can lead into another game afterward.
drawing
It’s the most basic of basic games, but drawing is one of children’s favorite activities.
You can give them a theme and have them draw, or let them sketch while asking, “What’s this?” and have others guess what it is.
Children’s drawings have a power that goes beyond adults’ imagination; just looking at what they draw is fascinating, and it’s a game that adults can enjoy too.
Spinning Tops with Origami
Let’s make a spinning top out of origami! I recommend using double-sided origami paper with color on both sides.
First, fold the paper in half into a rectangle or triangle to make a crease, then unfold it and shape it into a square along the creases.
Like when folding a crane, fold the edges toward the center line, but leave a small gap so they don’t touch the center exactly.
Unfold the creases you just made, then fold the unopened side toward the center twice.
Next, fold up four points on the open side as if spreading them out, and once that’s done, open those flaps further to reveal a square.
Finally, twist the pointed part and round the overall shape, and you’re done!
riddle
Riddles that both adults and kids love! Let’s have fun with riddles that are a bit like puns and involve a little clever wordplay.
For children around kindergarten age, riddles with simple, familiar themes are recommended.
If they learn riddles at kindergarten, have them try asking their dad or mom at home next time! You might be surprised—parents may not be able to answer as easily as you think.
Ideas collection for toddler play, recreation, and games (41–50)
Drop the Handkerchief
Choose one person to be “it.” Everyone else sits in a circle facing inward.
The person who is “it” walks around the outside of the circle holding a handkerchief and, at a moment of their choosing, quietly places the handkerchief behind someone in the circle without being noticed.
“It” continues around the circle once.
If the person with the handkerchief behind them doesn’t notice by the time “it” completes the lap, the role of “it” changes to that person.
If the person notices, they chase “it.” If they catch “it,” the same person remains “it” for another round.
If they don’t catch “it” and manage to sit back down in their original spot, then the roles switch and the chaser becomes “it.”
Sinking Game
It’s a game that makes kids’ hearts race just by imagining the scenario: the ship is going to sink, so you have to quickly move to another ship—the Sinking Game.
Prepare several “ships,” such as mats, hula hoops, or any areas that can serve as bases.
The children stand inside them and wait for the signal.
When the leader shouts, “We’re sinking!” everyone must move to a different ship—any base other than the one they’re currently on.
The caller chases the players, so the children have to run to another ship to escape.
You can also spice it up by faking them out with other phrases that start with the same sound as ‘shi’ to build excitement.