Childcare: Ideas for activities to enjoy in July
July brings alternating bouts of the rainy season and summer.
At nursery schools and kindergartens, you want to play a lot with the children, but there are surely days when the unpredictable weather makes preparation difficult.
So here, we’ve gathered ideas for games you can enjoy in July.
From activities related to Tanabata to fun water play, you can enjoy the season of July while feeling its atmosphere.
There are also games you can do indoors, so be prepared for rainy days, too.
Please use this as a reference to expand your repertoire and spend a fun time together with the children!
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[Childcare] July Playful Childcare Ideas (41–50)
Let’s make colorful shaved ice
When it comes to hot summers, you can’t help but crave shaved ice! Shaved ice is a favorite among kids and is perfect as a recreational activity, too.
Instead of just eating it plain, try using a variety of syrups to make shaved ice that looks beautiful as well.
Colorful shaved ice tastes even better and makes for great photos, too.
[Childcare] Play ideas for July (51–60)
Watermelon splitting
Watermelon splitting is a game where you’re blindfolded and, relying on the voices around you, you shout “Here goes!” and bring a stick down.
It’s an event that lets you feel the essence of summer with your eyes, ears, and taste buds.
If you have the kids do it, it’s sure to be a huge hit.
“A little farther forward!” “Slightly right—no, too far, go left!” You can just picture everyone getting carried away and shouting.
Once it’s cracked open, you slice it up neatly and share it with everyone.
It’s a great way to experience an old-fashioned Japanese summer.
Towel play
If you want to get plenty of movement indoors even when it’s raining, games using a towel are recommended.
Prepare a long, narrow towel.
You can rub your body vigorously as if doing dry brushing, jump with it like a jump rope, or play tug-of-war—one long towel lets you enjoy all kinds of activities.
It’s also great to roll the towel into a ball and play catch.
Just be careful not to slip on a towel that falls on the floor and get injured while you play!
Hiking
During the rainy season, many kids end up playing indoors and feel an urge to really move their bodies.
Once the rainy season ends and you get a stretch of clear, refreshing weather, why not go for a hike? Mountain climbing can be tough for children, but you can all walk together aiming for the summit of a gentle low mountain or a hill with minimal elevation changes.
Some kids may get tired on continuous ascents, so take breaks as needed and watch your footing.
The exhilaration when you reach the top feels as rewarding as any prize for all your hard work.
planetarium
Orihime and Hikoboshi, the Milky Way, and Tanabata are all closely connected with countless stars.
On Tanabata, enjoy the stars indoors—even during the day or on rainy days—by watching a planetarium or making your own! Attach aluminum foil with small holes to a piece of cardboard, shine a light from below, and darken the room to create an easy DIY planetarium.
You can also get creative by varying the shapes of the holes or covering them with colored cellophane.
For the base, you can substitute cardboard with items like paper cups or instant noodle containers.
Pool play
When it comes to classic summertime recreation, you can’t beat playing in the pool! Kids love being active, so just taking them to a pool will have them excited all day long.
Compared to rivers or the ocean, pools tend to have fewer water-related accidents, so you can feel a bit more at ease.
Of course, you still need to be careful—make sure you never take your eyes off them.
Eurhythmics (Rainy Season Version)
During the rainy season, indoor activities that get everyone excited are essential.
If you’re looking for indoor play that still captures the season, try eurhythmics with a rainy-day song theme.
Work on songs and dances inspired by pieces like “Amefuri” and “Kaeru no Gassho.” Children can enjoy a variety of movements, such as marching energetically or pretending to be animals.
They can also experience more dynamic, varied play by stopping and starting in time with the piano’s rhythm.
Why not incorporate indoor activities that combine music and movement into your childcare setting?
