Lovely Play & Recreation

Recommended Indoor Activities and Recreation Games for July

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 as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

July is a time when heatstroke is a concern, so it’s not ideal to spend long hours outside.

So, here we’ll introduce activities you can enjoy indoors! We’ve gathered games and activities that people of all ages can enjoy.

From drawing and board games to crafts, there are plenty of ways to have fun inside.

There are lots of recreational activities that both kids and adults will love.

Spend a fun time with your family and friends.

Be sure to give them a try and make cool, refreshing memories in a comfortable place!

Recommended Indoor Activities and Recreation Games for July (41–50)

tree-climbing cicada

How to make a “Tree-Climbing Cicada” – easy to craft and fun for everyone to play with!

tree-climbing cicada

When it comes to indoor games that evoke the feeling of summer in scenes where family and friends gather, “tree-climbing cicadas” is a classic.

It’s an activity where you can enjoy both the fun of making something with origami and the fun of playing with what you’ve made.

First, craft a cicada out of origami paper and add eyes using sticker dots.

Fix a straw to the origami with cellophane tape, then thread a string through the straw.

Attach handles to two parallel rods and hang the string, and your tree-climbing cicada is complete.

You can even hold races to see whose cicada reaches the top first, making it enjoyable for large groups.

Give this summer-themed indoor activity a try!

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Playing aquarium

[Ages 0–2] “Let’s Play Aquarium”

Playing aquarium

How about transforming your childcare setting into an aquarium to stay cool during the hot summer? Let’s fill the room with sea creatures made by the children and facility users during recreation activities, and have them swim all around! Hang them by strings near the windows, and use the walls and ceiling to create an aquarium atmosphere.

You could also set up a few interactive spots like a familiar fish tunnel, and penguin or jellyfish corners—just like in a real aquarium.

Displaying the sea creatures they made themselves will definitely make pretend-aquarium play even more fun!

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ice koma

[Brain-Boosting Play] Easy and cooling indoor ice play perfect for summer #SummerPlay #IcePlay #SpinningTops #Kindergarten #ElementarySchool

ice koma

Introduce a perfect indoor play idea for hot summer days that uses cold ice and will have your child completely absorbed! Playing with spinning tops made of ice lets kids use their hands and fingers while stimulating their senses.

To make the ice tops, pour water and decorations like glitter or beads into a condiment cup, insert a popsicle stick into a square-folded piece of aluminum foil, and set it on top of the cup to hold the stick in place.

Then just freeze until solid and they’re ready! It might feel tricky at first, but once the surface starts to melt a bit, they’re easier to spin—so give it a try! You can also bump the tops into each other for battles or compete to see whose top spins the longest.

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Bug-catching game

Insect Catching Game for Summer Activities: Recreation for Older Adults

Bug-catching game

A “Bug Catching Game” that’s perfect for summer recreation or staying active at home.

Decorate super balls as bugs using raffia (suzuran) tape or vinyl tape, and try to catch the balls with a bug-catching net! Since you catch the super balls after a single bounce, it helps improve reaction time, dexterity, and arm strength.

Add a straw hat and a bug cage to create a real bug-hunting vibe! You can also boost the game aspect by splitting into teams and competing to see who catches the most bugs.

It’s an ideal indoor game for getting moving during the summer when it’s hard to go out.

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Making translucent chopstick rests

#27 How to Make Cute, Rounded Chopstick Rests [Resin Handmade]

Making translucent chopstick rests

Let’s make some cool, translucent chopstick rests that are perfect for summer.

This time, we’ll use resin to create original pieces that make everyday meals a little more fun.

Add sparkly elements and finish them with a seaside vibe to really boost the seasonal feel.

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Gutter nagashi-somen

Flowing somen using a rain gutter

Gutter nagashi-somen

In the appetite-dulling summer months, we long for smooth, easy-to-eat somen noodles.

Make the most of a rain gutter and enjoy nagashi-somen indoors.

If you set it up at an angle, the slick material helps the noodles flow smoothly.

Savor the flavors of summer.

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Simple papermaking experience

[Elderly Recreation] Rec Craftsperson Series Part 221: Papermaking Experience Using Everyday Items

Simple papermaking experience

Let’s try making handmade paper with an easy activity, even though papermaking might seem difficult.

Soak toilet paper and tissue paper in water, then pour them into a strainer and form the pulp.

Cut it to postcard size, and it’s perfect for summer greeting cards.

Why not draw a picture or stamp a design and send a seasonal greeting?

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