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 collection for toddler play, recreation, and games (41–50)
Ball-carrying game
It’s a game where you place a ping-pong ball or a small ball on a ladle and carry it without dropping it.
It gets even more challenging and fun if there are curves or obstacles between the start and the goal.
The difficulty also changes with the size of the ball, so even small children can enjoy it if you use a larger ball.
Balloon badminton
A game you can play indoors: balloon badminton.
You can play with just two people, and it’s fun with larger groups as well.
Make rackets by attaching chopsticks to paper plates.
You can use them as is, but it’s even more fun if the kids draw pictures on the paper plate part to create their own original rackets.
After that, just blow up a balloon and you’re ready to play.
Balloons don’t hurt when they hit you, so they’re safe.
Their floaty movement also makes it easy for little children to play.
It’s a game you can enjoy right away using things you already have at home.
Animal Concentration (Matching Game)
The card game Concentration is well known to both adults and children, but it might be a bit difficult for toddlers.
That’s why this “Animal Concentration” is recommended for little ones.
Choose several animals that small children are likely to know, and play Concentration by matching illustrations of those animals.
It’s also fun to have everyone color the pictures to finish them before playing.
Drawing with tape and sticky notes
You might get scolded for sticking stickers on the wall or drawing on it, but this method is fine.
Try making wall art using masking tape and sticky notes.
Since masking tape and sticky notes have weak adhesive, they’re easy to peel off even when stuck to the wall, so you can draw with peace of mind.
You could also use the drawings as a stage, draw characters on sticky notes, and act out stories—kids are sure to love it.
Copycat contest
Here’s a fun “Copycat Race” you can enjoy on the spot.
Prepare small chairs or cushions to get started.
The teacher says, “What’s the copycat race today?” and then names an animal or vehicle for the children to imitate.
The children pretend to be that animal or vehicle and go around their own chair or cushion three times.
When they finish, they sit on their chair or cushion to reach the goal.
The first person to sit down wins.
The rules are simple, so it’s a great game for all ages to get excited and play together.
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!
Mimic Animal Rock-Paper-Scissors
Here’s a game called “Copycat Animal Rock-Paper-Scissors” that helps children of different ages interact and become friends.
At the cue, “Copycat animal, rock-paper-scissors—go!” everyone strikes an animal pose.
If both partners choose the same animal pose, they earn 1 point; if they choose different poses, they spin around once on the spot.
It’s recommended that teachers and children decide the set of animal poses in advance.
You may see older children teaching the animal poses to younger ones.
Come up with lots of pose variations and have fun!