Lovely Play & Recreation

Liven up your children’s club event! A collection of ideas everyone can enjoy

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.
Keyboard playerSAKI
I’ve been playing the Electone since I was six, mainly performing Disney music, anime songs, and music from dramas and films. I post performance videos on YouTube and social media, and I also give concerts. Building on my Electone experience, I took up synthesizer and piano during my student years and performed at school-sponsored events. As a writer, I’ve covered not only music-related topics but a wide range of genres, so I hope to draw on my experience to deliver articles that make readers think, “I want to try that!” or “I want to listen to that!”

Children’s club events tend to end up feeling the same every time, which can be a real headache.

Even when you try to get creative, there are limits like budget and venue, plus the kids’ ages are all over the map.

So here, we’re sharing ideas for children’s club events that have actually been well received—from bingo tournaments to handmade festivals to seasonal parties.

They’re fun for both kids and adults, and relatively easy to prepare.

You’re sure to find tips for creating wonderful memories filled with smiles!

Get the Crowd Excited at Kids’ Club Events! A Collection of Fun Ideas for Everyone (61–70)

Giant soap bubble

I tried going inside a giant soap bubble!

Giant soap bubble

Soap bubbles are loved by children.

Wouldn’t everyone get excited and delighted if you made really big ones? These days, there are many types available, like electric devices that create lots of bubbles at once and solutions that make bubbles harder to pop.

Let’s practice so we can make lots of giant soap bubbles!

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hand play song

Nursery teachers teach! A medley of popular hand-play songs: “It’s Starting,” “When I Grow Up,” “Disney Hand Play,” “Rolling Eggs,” and more!

hand play song

The perfect hand-play songs to liven up a children’s club.

With simple movements and easy-to-remember lyrics, they’ll capture kids’ hearts.

Shout out loud with “Kaeru no Uta,” and get moving with “Ito Maki.” The best part is that not only children but also adults can enjoy them together.

One special charm of hand-play songs is how they deepen connections across generations.

The time parents and children spend singing the same songs will surely become unforgettable memories.

Let’s all sing and dance together to make the children’s club a blast!

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Number guessing game

[Number Guessing Game] Fun for all ages! You can play it on the spot without any equipment, so be sure to give it a try! \(^o^)/

Number guessing game

No tools or prep needed! Here’s a “Number Guessing Game” everyone can enjoy while moving their bodies.

Gather several people in a circle, and one person calls out numbers.

The others can freely choose to stand or sit and move accordingly.

If the number called matches the number of people standing, that person wins.

The rules are simple and easy to understand, so even young children can have fun.

Since the only actions are standing and sitting, it’s great for getting some physical activity even in a small space! You can play it anytime you have a moment to spare, so feel free to try it out.

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stick figure

Make groups of three: How to do the stick-figure dance

stick figure

Unique movements and a distinctive atmosphere are sure to captivate the kids! How about making stick puppets and putting on a dance? In the video, it looks like three people are dancing, but in fact the ones on the left and right are puppets.

Sticks connect the arms and legs of the puppets on both sides to the person standing in the middle, so the puppets move in sync with the center person’s movements.

Making the puppets by hand takes a bit of time, but since you don’t need to coordinate a dance routine, you can put on a show as soon as the puppets are finished.

The kids will likely be fascinated and ask, “Who’s dancing?” Be sure to give it a try!

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Musical chairs

Musical Chairs (4- and 5-year-olds)

Musical chairs

Arrange the chairs in a circle, and when the music stops, everyone sits down.

Anyone who can’t find a seat loses—this is a classic recreation game.

Play music at a comfortable walking tempo and enjoy seeing who will be the final winner.

If there are many participants, it’s a good idea to increase the number of chairs you remove each round.

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theater

[Theater] "Sushi Picnic" performed by childcare workers (2015 Chidori Nursery School Farewell Party): Chidori Nursery School @ Chiba City Licensed Nursery School

theater

A play is recommended as entertainment for the children’s club.

If you choose a play based on “The Monkey and the Crab,” kids can play a variety of characters like the monkey, the crab, the chestnut, and the bee.

Adding original touches—such as unique lines or playful pranks—will make it even more enjoyable.

Wearing costumes that match each character and doing impressions is sure to liven things up! It could also be nice to end the story with the monkey and the crab making up.

It sounds like a wonderful activity that will nurture the children’s expressive abilities and creativity.

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ball toss (traditional Japanese beanbag/ball-throwing game)

Tamaire (using a vinyl umbrella and badminton shuttlecocks) [indoor play]

ball toss (traditional Japanese beanbag/ball-throwing game)

This is a beanbag toss game you can enjoy indoors.

Turn a vinyl umbrella inside out and keep tossing items into it.

If you crumple newspaper into balls, it becomes even easier and more fun.

It’s sure to get everyone fired up in class competitions and the like, and it can help build team spirit.

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