Lovely Play & Recreation

Indoor games for parents and children: fun activities that use the body and the mind

lighterutatane
A person from the melodic hardcore boom generation who loves music, photography, and eating. I’ve been going to live houses for over 20 years. I’m at the age where summer festivals are starting to feel tough physically. I sometimes try shooting live photos and videos for MVs. I’m not great at English, so I often listen to straightforward Japanese rock that hits directly, but if someone recommends something, I’ll listen to anything—Western or Japanese—broadly and casually. I like cooking while listening to music; it’s a nice way to relieve stress.
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

We’ve gathered indoor games that parents and children can enjoy together.

These include traditional hand-play songs and play rhymes you can do without any equipment, as well as active movement games that let kids use their whole bodies.

It’s a rich collection perfect for parent–child activities in preschools and elementary schools, and for everyday play at home!

If you’re looking for “simple activities that help kids and adults connect,” please feel free to use this as a reference.

Have a blast—kids will be thrilled!

And for adults, it’s a great way to get some much-needed exercise!

Indoor Games for Parents and Children: Fun Activities Using Body and Mind (61–70)

Let’s play with torn paper collage!

Let's play with torn-paper art!

Let's play with torn paper collage!

Did you ever make torn-paper collages when you were a kid? I have memories of creating big ones for art class and school events.

First, you draw an outline, then stick small torn pieces of origami paper onto the sketch.

A tip is to apply glue to the sketch rather than the origami paper, and then fine-tune the placement after sticking it down.

Tearing the origami paper itself is fun, too.

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Perler beads

[At-home time] Making Perler beads together [stay home]

Perler beads

Ironing beads that captivate both adults and children.

There are many colors available, and lately you can easily buy them at 100-yen shops.

There’s also a small type called nano beads, which are perfect for making small accessories.

For younger children, the larger ironing beads are easier to handle.

Place the beads on a pegboard, then cover them with a pressing cloth and press with an iron.

The heat from the iron slightly melts the beads, which stick to the neighboring beads to form a single piece.

Try making one with your kids’ favorite characters!

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Wobbly Shiritori

[Even 4-Year-Olds Can Do It] Parent-Child Training to Develop Motor Skills at Home <Wobbly Shiritori Edition>

Wobbly Shiritori

Let’s play a brain-and-body game called “Wobbly Shiritori”! Face each other on all fours, such as on a yoga mat.

Stretch one arm and the opposite leg straight, and place a plastic bottle between the two of you.

In that position, play shiritori.

After you say your word, use the hand you’re keeping extended to pass the bottle in the middle to your partner.

Repeat: say a word, then pass.

If you lose your balance and put your hand or foot down, or if you say a word that ends with “n,” you lose.

This pose also helps strengthen your core!

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Coin Stacking Game

★Coin Tower Game★ Super Exciting!! We played the 'Coin Stacking Game'★

Coin Stacking Game

It’s a game where you simply stack coins.

It’s simple, but there are lots of ways to play and it’s easy to customize.

It’s also nice that you can use whatever you have at home, like coins from a board game or Othello pieces.

You can compete to see how high you can stack them, or take turns stacking and the person who knocks them over loses—both are exciting.

For small children, just stacking them can be fun.

It’s a perfect little pastime for when you’ve got a bit of time to kill.

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Jigsaw puzzle

Super easy! Let's make a handmade jigsaw puzzle for kids ♪

Jigsaw puzzle

Let’s have fun with a jigsaw puzzle using your favorite picture! That’s right—the fun starts with making the puzzle itself.

Prepare a sheet with your favorite image, some cardboard, and glue.

Stick the picture onto the cardboard, then cut a few centimeters inside the edges to separate the frame from the puzzle section.

Since it’s homemade, you can adjust the number and size of the pieces to suit your child’s age.

Try making one with your child’s favorite animal or character!

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