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!
- Popular recreation ranking for toddlers
- [Childcare] Recommended indoor activities and recreation games for April
- Recreation for daycare centers and kindergartens: fun activities for children
- Indoor games that different ages can enjoy! Ideas for fun everyone can get excited about together
- Useful for childcare! Today’s recommended recreational activities, including fingerplay and games!
- Kids go wild! Popular hand games and fun sing-alongs
- [Kindergarten/Daycare] Games and Performances for Fun Events
- [Childcare] From small to large groups! A collection of fun game ideas
- [Childcare / Physical Play] Fun Activities to Get Moving
- February: Liven up childcare! A collection of ideas for indoor play and physical activities
- Get the party started at the preschool graduation! A collection of party game ideas
- Fun activities with newspaper! Recreation games kids will love
- Indoor games for parents and children: fun activities that use the body and the mind
Ideas for Infant/Toddler Play, Recreation, and Games (1–10)
Shape imitation game
Here’s a shape-matching game using cotton swabs.
Put a strip of tape on a table and create a shape on one side using cotton swabs.
Children look at the completed shape and then use cotton swabs to make the same shape on the opposite side of the tape.
If they get stuck, it’s a good idea to support them with hints so they can create the same shape, watching over them and working together.
As they get used to it, try making the shapes slightly more difficult or increasing the number of cotton swabs to add variety.
For the tape on the table, colorful tape is recommended because it’s easier to see and understand.
Touch-in game
https://www.tiktok.com/@bear_kids_official/video/7472713563929349394Let’s develop tracking skills and a sense of force! Here are some ideas for a touch-in game.
These are perfect for nurturing visual concentration and control of force.
Children can aim to improve their physical abilities while having fun by keeping a balloon from falling and collecting colored balls from the floor into a basket.
Simple yet effective for building concentration, this idea lets kids play by controlling balloons and colored balls—making it a fun game that can be used in after-school day services!
Popular song medley in May
Let’s create a Singing Day where everyone gets excited with their favorite songs! Here are some popular May song medleys.
Children are probably getting familiar with various nursery rhymes every day at daycare or kindergarten, right? If you ask each child, “What’s your favorite song?” you’ll likely hear a wide variety of answers.
Plus, let’s enjoy Singing Day by mixing in trending songs from anime and movies! It’s also great to make DIY microphones and costumes.
The appeal is that everyone can have fun in a relaxed and free-spirited atmosphere!
Panda, rabbit, koala
Let’s transform into cute animals and play! We’re introducing the hand game “Panda, Bunny, Koala.” Become those animals you’ve seen in picture books or at the zoo! Use your hands to show each animal’s features and have fun.
Once you get used to the game, try speeding it up partway through—it can really liven things up.
Through this hand play, children can imitate and learn animal movements and traits while also developing concentration and a sense of rhythm.
It’s even funny when you accidentally do the wrong action! Give it a try and add it to your playtime.
Rhythm Play
Let’s enjoy a “rhythm play” that will get your body moving naturally! Tap your knees twice—ton, ton—and then clap your hands once in front of your chest—pan.
To the rhythm of “ton-ton-pan,” the leader changes the “pan” part and names a body part.
For example, “ton-ton head,” “ton-ton butt,” etc.
Everyone else taps their knees twice and then touches the body part the leader names.
Try to keep up with the rhythm without falling behind! As a fun variation, the leader can say an animal name like “ton-ton monkey!” and everyone can imitate its sound, such as “ton-ton ook-kee!” That would be entertaining too.
