Lovely childcare

Parent–child interactive play. Fun activities popular in childcare settings and at parent–child observation days.

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 for 10 years as a kindergarten teacher and for 7 years as an after-school childcare instructor, then took a post as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I also engaged in activities that shared Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational play, working with many children. Afterwards, through freelance writing, planning, and editing work at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and conveying ideas. Leveraging the perspective cultivated in educational settings and my experience as an editor, I aim to deliver practical information—focusing on fields related to music and children—that values both input and output. Hobbies include instruments, singing, handcrafts, toys, drawing, traditional play, the outdoors, books, DIY, and crafts. Special skill: 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!”

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.

Parent–child interactive play: Fun activities popular in childcare and parent–child observation days (21–30)

Let’s Play with Ghosts

[Parent-Child Bonding] Let’s Play with Ghosts / Sho Fukuda [Childcare/Play Songs/Babies/Infants/Parenting]

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.

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Muscle Animal

Muscle Animal

Muscle Animal

Muscle Animals is a way for parents and kids to get moving together.

Because it involves lots of strength-based movements like holding and giving piggyback rides, it’s especially great for bonding with Dad! As a buff parent–child duo, you transform into various animal pairs like sea otters and hippos.

Depending on the animal, you might hold your child and spin around, jump up and down, and more—giving both parent and child a solid workout.

It’s packed with elements that make kids giggle with excitement, so you can enjoy it while staying active!

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Parent–child interactive play. Fun activities popular in childcare and parent–child observation days (31–40)

pickled daikon

Interactive play song with lyrics 'Daikonzuke' – a Japanese children's folk song (warabe-uta)

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.

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Let’s clap our hands

Let's Clap Our Hands – Let's clap our hands, tan-tan-tan, tan-tan-tan~ [Hand Play / Children's Song]

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!

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Daikon Game

[Exercise & Gymnastics Kids Love] The “Daikon Game,” recommended from age 3 / Rule-based movement play and exercise-gymnastics educational video to improve motor skills together with Mom

Daikon Game

Kids love a little thrilling make-believe, don’t they? In this “Daikon Game,” the children become daikon radishes, and if the grown-ups pull them out, they get eaten.

The kids lie face down and link hands tightly.

The adults wander around them saying, “I’m going to pull up the daikon!” and start pulling on their legs.

Even when their legs are being pulled, the kids should hold on tight and not let go of each other’s hands.

It’s also great because you can play without worrying too much about the number of players.

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wheelbarrow

Parent-child exercises to improve toddlers' motor skills: 5. Wheelbarrow

wheelbarrow

A long-standing parent-child game: the wheelbarrow.

A wheelbarrow is a tool used for carrying things, with a wheel and handles that you push by hand—often used in farm work.

In this game, you imitate the shape of a wheelbarrow.

The child gets down on all fours on the floor, and an adult lifts the child’s ankles firmly from behind.

The child moves forward using only their hands, while the adult walks along, keeping pace with the child’s movements.

It’s a game that children will likely enjoy for its slightly acrobatic feel.

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I ended up doing it.

Accidentally Made It (1–2-Year-Olds, Parent-Child Interaction ver.)

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.

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