Play activities recommended for childcare in February: ideas to enjoy seasonal events
February, when the cold really sets in, is a time when snow play and indoor activities tend to get lively.
There are also many seasonal events like Setsubun and Valentine’s Day, so some of you may be looking for ideas children will love.
In this article, we’ve gathered games and recreational activities perfect for early childhood care in February.
We’ll introduce a wide range—from activities you can take your time with indoors to ones that get kids moving actively.
Hands-on play and games can also spark children’s imagination and help their ideas flourish.
We hope you’ll find these recommended activities for the chilly season helpful.
- February: Liven up childcare! A collection of ideas for indoor play and physical activities
- [Childcare] Play and craft ideas to include in February events
- [Quiz] A Collection of Quizzes You Can Use in February Childcare
- [For 3-year-olds] A collection of recommended craft ideas to make in February
- [For 4-year-olds] Enjoy February! A Collection of Craft Ideas
- [For 5-year-olds] Let’s Make It! A Collection of Recommended Craft Ideas for February
- Fun activities with newspaper! Recreation games kids will love
- Ideas for Childcare Quizzes to Enjoy in January
- [February Wall Decorations] Perfect for Setsubun! A Collection of Ideas You Can Use in Childcare
- Useful for childcare! Today’s recommended recreational activities, including fingerplay and games!
- [Childcare] Fun February Indoor Play Ideas That Work for Both Small and Large Groups
- Have fun in childcare! A collection of play ideas to liven up cold days in January
- Recommended in February! A collection of easy origami ideas perfect for childcare to enjoy the season.
Recommended activities for childcare in February: Ideas to enjoy seasonal events (11–20)
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.
A toilet paper roll core transforms into a fearsome oni!
Let’s make a warm and charming oni (ogre) using a toilet paper roll and felt.
First, wrap the toilet paper roll with felt and glue it in place.
Then use faux fur as hair, and attach facial parts and horns made from felt.
Using pearls for the eyes and cheeks will boost the cuteness and add a festive touch.
The key to this idea is layering yellow and brown felt, twisting them to create the pants.
It would also look cute if you use non-traditional colors.
A demon biting into an ehomaki
Ehomaki rolls are eaten to ward off misfortune and invite good fortune.
This lucky charm comes with a unique idea: an ogre—considered a symbol of evil spirits during Setsubun and driven away with beans—takes a big bite! Make it by dividing it into parts for the head, fangs, body, and the ehomaki, then assemble them later into a single design.
Creating it in the original size might be challenging, so try using larger origami paper.
Once finished, it can also be used as a wall decoration, instantly bringing a festive Setsubun atmosphere to the space.
Exciting tag game
Let us introduce “Three-Color Tag,” a game you can enjoy in red, blue, and green groups! Participants split into three groups—red, blue, and green—and everyone is “it.” Each group has its own base, which is a safe zone.
However, once you leave your base, you’ll be targeted by players from other groups, and if you’re tagged, you’ll be captured by that group.
You can call for help from a member of your own group; if they tag you, you can return to your base.
Those are the basic rules, but in the Setsubun version, the teacher beats a drum and calls out “Demons out!” When this signal is given, all the “it” players must leave their bases.
Anyone caught after the signal must sit down where they are and call for help from their teammates.
Perfect for Setsubun! Oni-themed fingerplay
We’d like to introduce a fun Oni hand game, “I’m an Oni!”—perfect for Setsubun events and performances.
In this game, children pretend to be an oni, using their hands to show its strength and distinctive features like horns and shaggy hair.
At the end, they make a face showing they’re startled by the bean-throwing, shouting “Eek!” Encourage kids to pull down the corners of their eyes to look pitiful, or to squish their cheeks with both hands—let them express themselves freely.
It’s sure to be a lovely time as the children laugh at each other’s faces.
Even kids who find oni scary might enjoy Setsubun with this hand game.
Setsubun Eurhythmics
Eurhythmics that nurture children’s expressiveness and concentration.
We move our bodies and play to the music.
We’re introducing two songs perfect for Setsubun: “Sotto ne” (“Quietly”) and “Mame-maki Pon-pon.” In “Sotto ne,” walk slowly so you don’t wake the ogre, and in “Mame-maki Pon-pon,” throw beans at the ogre.
When the music stops, freeze, and next, follow the teacher’s color cues to throw beans at the red ogre and the blue ogre.
While enjoying eurhythmics, you can even drive away scary ogres!
Recommended activities for childcare in February: Ideas to enjoy seasonal events (21–30)
Demon-slaying with paper cups!
Let’s try making a jumping ogre craft that springs into the air! You’ll need two paper cups, two rubber bands, and construction paper to draw the ogre’s face.
First, make four slits on the rim of one paper cup—top, bottom, left, and right.
About 1 cm deep is fine.
Hook two rubber bands into the slits so they form a cross.
Secure the bands with tape so they don’t come off.
Next, draw your favorite ogre face on the construction paper, cut it out with scissors, and attach it to the paper cup with the rubber bands.
Finally, draw the ogre’s body on the second paper cup.
Place the body cup upside down with the bottom facing up, then fit the rubber-band cup over it from above and press down firmly.
When you release, the ogre’s head will spring—boing!—into the air.