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 (71–80)
[Parent and child bonding] Riding the bus
![[Parent and child bonding] Riding the bus](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Gi2ItkVUO5g/sddefault.jpg)
Enjoy bonding time with parents and children! Here are some ideas for “Riding the Bus.” Many parents and teachers may remember playing this when they were young.
Sing along with the song “Riding the Bus” and enjoy close interaction with the children.
Sway your bodies to the rhythm and imitate the bus movements described in the lyrics to share a fun, hands-on experience together.
It’s a perfect idea for a recreation activity that strengthens bonds!
Peekaboo! Wow!
Let’s enjoy a variety of cheerful “Good morning” greetings! Here’s a hand game from “Peek-a-boo, Wow!” to try.
“Good morning” is an important greeting that marks the start of the day, isn’t it? Many people feel they can kick off their day with energy just by hearing these words.
The charm of this hand game is that you can express a lively “Good morning” with clapping and body movements! Through the hand game and the “Good morning” greeting, you’ll be able to spend each day with a positive mindset.
It’s a perfect activity for morning circle time!
Pop! Popcorn
Let’s play along with the toddler-friendly song “Pop! Popcorn,” which cheerfully and cutely sings about popping popcorn! Kids love sitting on grown-ups’ laps.
Sit the child on an adult’s lap and, in time with the music, bounce, sway, or lift them as you play.
For younger children, be careful not to jostle them too much—keep movements light and gentle.
The fun rhythm is sure to get kids excited and turn this into a laughter-filled activity!
Butt touch
When you’re in the mood for a fun game that needs no prep, why not try “Butt Touch”? It’s a game where you hold hands, spin around and try to touch each other’s bottoms! Since moms usually have longer arms, adding a handicap could make it even more fun.
It might be a great way to pass the time when you’re bored.
Spin around—but be careful not to fall!
Robot walk
If you’re looking for a bonding activity that also strengthens your child’s English skills, we recommend “Robot Walking.” In this game, your child stands on the parent’s feet, and the two of you walk like a robot together.
All the instructions are set to an English song, making it perfect for those who want their child to pick up English naturally.
Enjoy learning English together while having fun as a parent and child!
Lots of love
“Lots of Love” is a rhythm game that parents and children can enjoy together, or kids can play with each other.
Clap each other’s hands in time with the music and give hugs.
Even children who feel shy about being held usually accept it as part of a music game.
And of course, when kids play together, it’s a great way to nurture friendship.
Jungle Guruguru
We’d like to introduce some fun, hands-on play activities that get everyone moving—perfect for daycare events, parents and children, and kids playing together! “Jungle Guruguru” is recommended for its adventurous jungle-themed song and lively choreography.
The lyrics feature rivers, animals, and tunnels one after another, and the full-body movements—like crawling through tunnels—make it feel like you’re really exploring the jungle.
Give it a try and see how far you can venture into the jungle! It’s enjoyable not only for kids but also for adults, so why not dive into the jungle world together with the children?
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.
sweet potato tempura
Many children probably like sweet potato tempura itself.
Here is a bonding activity themed around sweet potato tempura.
First, pretend to wash the sweet potato and touch your child’s body.
Then slice it into rounds and coat it with flour.
Next, dust it so the flour covers it, and shake off the excess.
Finally, “fry” it in oil and it’s done.
By changing the way you touch your child to match each step of the cooking process, you may be able to bring parent and child even closer.
stuck together
If you’re looking for a bonding game that even toddlers under three can enjoy, how about “Kutsuita” (“Stuck Together”)? It’s a simple play activity where you press your cheeks or bellies together and sing a little song.
It’s easy, but kids love it, and their reactions are so adorable you’ll want to do it over and over.
If you record a video as a keepsake, it will become a lifelong memory.