February: Liven up childcare! A collection of ideas for indoor play and physical activities
February brings plenty of seasonal events—like Setsubun and Valentine’s Day—even at daycare centers and kindergartens.
But when the cold days continue, there are many days when you can’t go outside.
That’s when activities that let children move their bodies freely indoors and recreations that incorporate winter’s unique seasonal feel come in handy.
From exercise games with an oni-slaying theme and traditional “kenken sumo” to ideas that let you enjoy a snowy play mood indoors, we’ll introduce lots of games perfect for February.
The content is enjoyable for infants through preschoolers, so please use it as a reference!
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[February] Liven Up Childcare! A Collection of Indoor Play & Physical Activity Ideas (61–70)
Dance “Oni no Pants”
How about enjoying songs and dances that are unique to Setsubun? There are several Setsubun songs, but the most famous include “Oni no Pantsu” and “Ehomaki no Uta.” First, everyone can sing together to learn the songs, and then try the dances.
By the way, YouTube has videos that teach kid-friendly choreography for each song, so those are great to use as references.
It’s also recommended to dress up as an oni to match the music.
Cardboard Ogre
If you engage in a game themed around Setsubun bean-throwing, it won’t just be fun—it can also serve as a rehearsal.
So here’s an idea I’d like to share: the cardboard oni (ogre).
This involves attaching a paper-crafted oni face to a cardboard box.
Then, throw balls made from crumpled newspaper, pretending they’re beans, into the box and play.
The fun part is that sometimes the throws go in and sometimes they don’t.
Since everyone tends to crowd into one spot to retrieve missed balls, place several baskets filled with the “beans” in different locations as a preventative measure.
Do-Re-Mi Song Game
It’s a rhythm game that uses the well-known Do-Re-Mi song.
After finishing one phrase, the player randomly names a scale degree and passes the turn to the next person.
The person chosen must sing a phrase that matches that scale.
It’s a test of quick thinking.
Eurhythmics
With rhythmics perfect for February childcare, I plan to help children enjoy moving their bodies.
How about incorporating pretend activities like bean-throwing and chocolate-making with songs themed around Setsubun and Valentine’s Day? By putting on masks to the beat or handing out handmade hearts, children can experience the fun of events through music.
On days with light snowfall, rhythmics inspired by snowflakes and snowmen are also recommended.
Let’s nurture creativity together with the children by weaving in elements of each season!
hand play song
At nursery schools and kindergartens, hand-action songs are perfect for enjoying time with children during chilly February.
“Oni no Pantsu” is recommended because the movements are easy to relate to and simple to imitate.
Through the choreography, children can develop cooperation in groups and a sense of rhythm.
It’s also fun to create costumes and props to match Setsubun or Valentine’s Day and add themed staging to the song.
With seasonally themed hand-action songs, you can enrich your moments of interaction with the children.
playing hot spring
Hot springs are often thought of as relaxing spaces for adults, but kids love them too! So this time, let’s try a pretend indoor hot spring.
Draw rocks on construction paper to make the outer walls, and fill the inside with strips of PE tape or sheets of bubble wrap.
Finally, decide on a name for your hot spring and put up a sign.
Get in together and ask the kids what they think.
They can have fun draping the crinkly PE tape over themselves or popping the bubble wrap—let them freely experience the hot spring through play.
Snowman Soccer
Perfect for warming up the body, here’s a snowman soccer idea.
All you need are a ball made by crumpling up newspaper and a goal made from cardboard.
Since the goal looks like a snowman, it’s called snowman soccer.
Why not start by getting familiar with the motion of kicking the ball? By changing the design of the goal, you could adapt it for other events like Setsubun or Valentine’s Day, too.