Parent–child interactive play. Fun activities popular in childcare settings and at parent–child observation days.
Activities that let parents and children interact are always a hit at nursery and kindergarten observation days, as well as at community support centers where families gather.
“Interactive play” is a great way to communicate and build physical closeness with your child.
By engaging with adults, children feel secure and discover how fun it is to play together.
That said, many people may not be sure what kinds of interactive games to play with their children.
In this article, we’ll introduce parent–child interactive activities that are sure to bring smiles to kids’ faces.
No special tools or preparation are needed, and there are plenty of quick games you can enjoy in short moments—so try incorporating them into your daily routine and enjoy quality time together.
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Parent–child interactive play: Fun activities popular in childcare and parent–child observation days (61–70)
Monkey parent and child
This is a game where the child plays the monkey and climbs on the parent, who plays the tree.
It lets you interact closely with your child and also seems likely to improve their ability to cling and climb.
Enjoy taking turns as the climber and the tree while coordinating your movements.
Be careful, though—if your child gets bigger or climbs onto thinner parts, it may put more strain on the parent, so play with caution.
Pittanko Dance
“Pittanko Dance” is a playful dance where parents and children keep their cheeks, foreheads, or bottoms pressed together while dancing.
Aside from staying connected, you can dance however you like, so once you learn a bit of the song, anyone can have fun playing.
It’s of course enjoyable for parents and children, but it should also be fun for grandparents and grandchildren.
Dancing together and recording a video would be a great time, too.
cutout
@thi.nano154 Cutting out shapes is so fun!!!!!!!#chiina nodagashi (cheap, nostalgic Japanese snacks and candies)#vlog#StayAtHomeSquad#Japan
Classic Medley 2019 – Pianica Magician
Try your hand at a traditional pastime! Here are some ideas for katanuki (cutout art).
Katanuki is a common sight at festival stalls.
How about giving this long-loved activity a try? Use a needle, toothpick, or drawing pin to cut out various designs imprinted on a flat, board-like candy.
For children’s safety, you can also adapt the activity using construction paper or other materials.
With a bit of creativity, your customized katanuki will get kids excited and engaged.
Riding a Molcar
https://www.tiktok.com/@harukaa_402/video/7152018389798489346The guinea pig–shaped cars, Molcars, are a stop-motion animation made with needle-felted wool.
Some children might be big fans of Molcars.
Here, we put your child on a Molcar made of cardboard and pull it along to move.
A child who loves Molcars might be delighted to ride.
Partway through, set them down, then run to the finish line carrying them.
From that point on, instead of carrying, you could hold hands and run together or give them a piggyback.
The Three Little Pigs
Enjoy a familiar picture book story through a hand play activity! Here’s a hand play version of “The Three Little Pigs.” Let’s act out the story with hand motions: the piglets gather materials and build their own houses, and then the wolf arrives.
When the wolf shows up, some children might get scared and shout, “Eek!” But the story ends with a reassuring “What a relief!” so everyone can enjoy the hand play.
Give it a try!
Even with just one, it’s a carrot.
Perfect for learning numbers! Let me introduce the hand game “Ippon demo Ninjin.” It’s great for learning the concept of numbers, and the humor in the lyrics makes it a wonderful hand game! As you count, different items appear in rhythm, making it a fun activity.
It’s also unique that the next number is hidden within the lyrics, which helps children learn numbers and words while enjoying the song.
The choreography is easy for kids to imitate, too.
Be sure to incorporate it into your activities!
spool (of thread); winding thread; Itomaki (traditional toy spinning top), depending on context
Let’s enjoy rhythm together with children! I’d like to introduce the hand play for “Itomaki” (The Spinning Song).
Hand-play songs can serve as a tool for communication with parents, teachers, and sometimes friends, creating wonderful moments that deepen bonds.
The charm lies in being able to experience fun and learning at the same time while playing.
Through the familiar “Itomaki” hand play that parents and teachers have known since they were young, let’s move our bodies to the rhythm and melody and enjoy feeling music and rhythm! Be sure to incorporate it into your activities.