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 (21–30)
a big drum
If you’re looking for an interactive activity that multiple parents and children can enjoy together, how about “Big Drum”? To the accompaniment of the piano, everyone dances the choreography for both the big drum and the small drum.
At the end of the game, all participating families form a large circle and dance, which will help strengthen bonds not only between parents and children, but also among the children and among the parents themselves.
Parent and child on a merry-go-round
Hold hands firmly with your child and spin around and around like a merry-go-round.
As long as you keep a solid grip, your child may even lift lightly off the ground, making it a thrilling and fun time.
It’s also a play activity that can build trust, as your child relies on you while you hold on tightly.
Depending on your child’s size, another recommended method is to slide your hands under their arms, lift them, and then spin.
Watch carefully and spin at a safe pace to avoid injuries.
The tickle-tickle train is coming
“The Tickle-Tickle Train Is Coming” is a bonding game where you seat a child on your lap, sing, and tickle different spots depending on where the train is headed.
It combines kids’ love of trains with playful tickling—sure to delight any child! They’ll be excited wondering, “Where will the next train stop?” and anticipating where they’ll be tickled.
For infants and toddlers, you can place them on your lap; for preschoolers, it might be fun to chase, catch, and tickle them as you play!
Parent-child exercises: Top 10 animal-themed activities
In this parent-child exercise, you and your child work together to represent animals with your bodies! Some animal poses require strength, so it’s recommended for children from preschool age and for a strong dad as the accompanying adult.
Kids love riding on their parents—like playing horsey or getting a shoulder ride.
It can be a bit tough for dads, but please give it a try together with your child.
Some poses, like an elephant where the child sits on your arms to make the trunk, are difficult, so enjoy it within a safe, comfortable range without pushing yourselves.
Using a mat underneath will make it safer and more enjoyable.
Mr. Goldfish and Mr. Medaka
Let’s enjoy a beloved picture book story through a finger-play activity! Here’s an introduction to the finger play for “Mr.
Goldfish and Mr.
Medaka.” Let’s express this fun picture book—where the goldfish and the medaka do energetic exercises with humorous movements—through hand motions! The way the goldfish and the medaka swim is different, and each one’s characteristics are charmingly expressed through cute choreography and lyrics.
Kids are sure to get excited by these comical moves! Be sure to incorporate it into your activities.
Let’s clap our hands
Move your body to the rhythm! Here’s an introduction to the hand-play song “Clap Your Hands.” It’s a recommended activity you can enjoy together with infants! Hum the tune and move your body in time with the rhythm.
By moving along with the song and rhythm, children can develop their physical abilities while having fun.
There are moments during the hand play where you can make various facial expressions.
Playing with smiles together with parents or teachers can make the time even more enjoyable.
It’s a charming hand-play activity that helps deepen the bond with children!
Let’s Play with Ghosts
Let me introduce a hands-on play activity that even 0-year-olds can enjoy: “Let’s Play with the Ghosts.” This one is enjoyed by singing along to Sho Fukuda’s song while gently tickling the children or poking them lightly with your fingertips.
Various kinds of ghosts appear in the song, so try interacting in ways that match each ghost’s characteristics.
If you’re playing with slightly older children, like 2-year-olds, it can be fun for the parent or caregiver to pretend to be a ghost and do a light game of chase while making playful contact.
pickled daikon
Aside from talking to them, even very young children tend to settle into set play patterns, don’t they? This “Pickled Daikon” game is something you can play together even with little ones.
It turns the process of pickling daikon radish into a song, and you pretend your child is the daikon while you place your hands on them and play along.
While your child lies down on a mat, you can “wash off the mud” by rubbing their tummy like a massage, or “drain the water” by holding their feet and giving them a gentle shake.
It’s also nice for big brothers and sisters to join in and enjoy this hands-on play together.
I ended up doing it.
Let’s try moving like animals and insects to the melody of “Alps Ichiman-jaku.” Use your whole body to express the characteristics of different creatures.
The uniquely adorable movements of one-year-olds are sure to warm the hearts of those around them.
Doing this together with parents or guardians will make it even more fun for the children.
At the end of the song, the children will say “We did it!” to their caregivers while sharing a hug or a high-five.
It’s an event that highlights the children’s cuteness right up to the finish.
Wanna go to the hot spring?
Parent-child events held at nurseries and kindergartens are some of the most exciting activities! Here’s a fun interaction dance that both children and their guardians can enjoy during classroom visits, too.
“Shall We Get in the Hot Springs?” by Rocket Crayon lets families enjoy bonding time by pretending to enter different hot springs and moving to match each one.
It has a great rhythm and is a lot of fun, so it’s perfect for parent-child recreation events.
For older preschoolers, it’s also a hit when the children dance together.
We highly recommend it—be sure to try it at your next parent-child communication activity!
