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 at daycare and parent–child observation days (41–50)
If you’re happy, clap your hands
The classic “If You’re Happy and You Know It” is perfect for parent-child interaction play.
As you sing, clap hands and pat cheeks or shoulders.
Since everyone knows the song, you can try it right away.
Of course, it’s fun not only for parents and children but also for grandparents and grandchildren, so give it a try when you visit your family home.
Inside-out pots!
An old traditional game, Nabe-nabe Sokonuke.
Everyone knows this song—I bet you played it when you were a child.
The lyrics say the bottom of the pot falls out, and you play by facing each other, joining both hands, and singing while swinging your arms.
Partway through, there’s a moment where you flip around and end up back-to-back; adults should gently help children turn smoothly at that point.
It’s a simple game you can keep doing—flipping over and then coming back to face each other again—so even small children can enjoy it.
Parent-child ball toss
In a regular tamaire game, you pick up balls from the ground and throw them into a basket.
But “parent-child tamaire” is a cooperative version played by parents and kids.
You start a little distance away from where the balls are.
The adult lifts the child like an airplane and carries them to the balls.
From there, the children pick up the balls, and then the adults lift them up so they can toss the balls into the basket.
It’s a surprisingly strenuous version for adults—a real workout (lol).
Try it with different variations!
I love rice balls.
I wonder what’s inside the rice balls? Let me introduce the hand game “I Love Onigiri.” It’s also nice to start with an opening like, “What filling do you all like in your onigiri?” This hand game features animals like rabbits and monkeys, so it’s likely to capture children’s interest! And what’s more, each rice ball has a surprising something inside! It could be fun to have the children imagine and answer what’s inside as an added twist.
Be sure to give it a try.
A Big Parent-Child Adventure
Oyako de Dai Bōken (Big Adventures for Parents and Kids) lets parents and children go on all kinds of grand adventures together.
By joining forces, you’ll overcome various challenges: crossing a single-log bridge, riding in a jeep, pretending to be flamingos while working hard to keep your balance—and in the end, you even turn into a monster! As the song progresses, you’ll be excited to discover what new adventure awaits next.
Even if real-life big adventures are difficult, through this play you can fully enjoy adventuring at home and become splendid explorers!
Mantis massage
Perfect for daycare parent-child events! We’re introducing a beloved interactive play activity by Rocket Crayon that kids absolutely adore.
In this “Praying Mantis Massage,” children pretend to be mantises and enjoy massaging each other—kneading and gently tapping—while playing along to fun music and singing.
Kids who love bugs are sure to get excited! The dance is fun too, so why not try it as a substitute for exercise either at daycare family events or among the children themselves?
spin around
If you want your child to get into sports, we recommend this activity called “Spin All the Way Around.” As the name suggests, you hold your child’s hands and help them do a full rotation by guiding them over your knee.
Once they get the hang of it, the sensation of spinning all the way around is so much fun that they’ll definitely keep asking for more! It’s a great way to build strength while having fun, so give it a try.