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 (11–20)
Mochi pounding, pettan!
Mochitsuki Pettan is an easy game even toddlers can enjoy, so it’s recommended for anyone with young children in elementary school or younger.
The content is very simple: first, do some squats in time with the music, and at just the right moment, scoop the child up for a playful “chomp!” hug.
If you can play the piano, it could be a good chance to learn together with your child.
Of course, just singing is enough to make it fun, so it’s a game you can play anywhere.
On the bus
If you can’t go wild but still want to move your body a little and play, I recommend “Riding the Bus and Getting Bounced.” Sit your child on your lap and play while singing; the bus’s movements are in the lyrics, and you act them out.
Change your motions according to the lyrics—for example, the bus turns right, turns left, goes over a bumpy road, and so on.
Kids will sway and bounce on your lap and will absolutely love it.
It’s also a great way for parents and children to bond.
You can even add your own original lyrics and movements!
Chikuchiku Bonbon
Let me introduce a recommended interactive play activity from Keropons, famous for parent-child play you can enjoy together! In “Chiku Chiku Bon Bon,” you say the time while singing and dancing, then hold hands and jump that many times to move and play.
It’s perfect not only for parent–child events in childcare settings, but also for snack time or mealtime, helping kids learn time and numbers through play.
It’s a song you can enjoy both indoors and outdoors, so have fun getting excited with parent and child, or even just among kids!
whirly washing machine
Guruguru Sentakuki is a bonding game where parents and children happily do the “laundry” together—washing and hanging it to dry.
Following the lyrics, you make motions like washing, wringing, hanging, and folding the laundry.
You keep your hands joined for every action, which creates a strong sense of togetherness.
Between each movement, you spin to the rhythm while holding hands.
If this game sparks an interest in laundry, your child might start helping out later on! It makes you look forward to the day you’ll do housework together.
Play Park Together
How about the lively, high-energy song “Let’s Play at the Park Together”? It’s a parent-and-child exercise routine set at a play park, where you get to enjoy moves inspired by a crane game and bowling.
Each movement is super fun, and it’s sure to fill both kids and caregivers with lots of smiles! Since the destination keeps changing, you’ll feel excited wondering, “Where are we going next?” as you move along.
It wraps up with a high-lift (takai-takai) that kids love.
Try adding this fun-packed routine to your activities!
Crack the egg open
“Tamago wo Paka” is a rhythm game where you move your body to the song.
Parents and children hold hands and dance through various moves together.
It’s easy to learn, and the music is so much fun that kids are sure to get excited.
It’s great for parents and children, of course, but kids can also enjoy it together—so it might be nice to let siblings or friends play it too.
Please have a seat, here’s a chair.
Let us introduce the traditional Japanese children’s song “Osuwari Yasu Isu Dosse,” which you can enjoy together with your baby.
This fun song invites you to move your body to the rhythm, and in the video you can see children happily playing along with the music! Be sure to watch and try it together.
It’s a wonderful way to deepen the bond between parent and child through song.
Spend a heartwarming time laughing and playing with your baby.
The discoveries made through play will support even richer growth.
Hand game ‘Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Clap’
Let me introduce “Heads, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes,” a game played to an English folk tune! In this activity, you touch different parts of the body with your hands in time with the song.
For infants, it can be enjoyed as a bonding playtime with their caregivers, and for preschoolers, the fun is in moving their hands quickly to different spots with the rhythm.
Since it’s a bright and rhythmic song, performing it at an entrance ceremony would instantly make the atmosphere lively and festive.
Sing, play, and have fun together!
Monster train choo-choo
Let us introduce a fun interactive play activity set to the music of the ever-popular picture book “Monster Train Choo-Choo.” Many of you probably know Tsuyoshi Suzuki and Sho Fukuda.
This is a delightful hands-on play activity by Sho Fukuda, who is also active as a children’s song writer.
Join in the fun by matching your movements to the monsters who board the train one after another! The song and rhythm are lively, making it perfect for parent-child interaction at preschool events, and kids can enjoy it together as well.
We also recommend making monster costumes together with the children.
penguin walk
Let’s practice walking with a waddling penguin walk! The caregiver should place the child, facing forward, on top of the caregiver’s feet.
Hold the child’s hands firmly, then step together and waddle forward.
At first, slide your feet slightly and alternate moving forward and backward.
Gradually, try stepping as if you’re walking normally.
Caregivers, try to avoid bending your knees too much while walking.
Once you get used to it, try side-stepping, or let go of the child’s hands so the child can use you for support and walk on their own.
Make the movements gradually more complex.
Through this play, let your child discover how fun walking can be!