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)
Epicenter Game
Hearing “epicenter” might make you a bit nervous, but this is a safe and simple game.
First, choose one person to be “it” (the demon), and everyone else becomes the children.
The children secretly choose one person to be the epicenter without letting “it” find out.
Once decided, the children form a circle around “it.” The child who is the epicenter starts moving using their hands or feet in a way that doesn’t reveal who they are, and the surrounding children imitate those movements.
If “it” can figure out which child is the epicenter—the source of the movements—then “it” wins!
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!
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.
