Indoor games and recreational activities recommended for June
During Japan’s rainy season in June, we end up spending more time indoors, don’t we? Among children who love playing outside, some may feel gloomy on rainy days.
So this time, we’re introducing recommended indoor activities that will bring smiles to their faces.
From games that let them move their bodies to their hearts’ content, to group activities that foster interaction with friends and teachers, to craft projects that build focus and fine motor skills—there’s a wide range of fun to choose from! Adjust the content to suit children’s ages and developmental stages, incorporate plenty of activities, and enjoy rainy days together with lots of fun.
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Indoor games and recreational activities recommended for June (11–20)
mat exercises
This activity uses mats—often strongly associated with cushioning during exercise—as tools for play.
Through games that involve moving heavy mats, participants can also enjoy the experience of working together.
Let them feel the weight of the mats in various ways, such as games where they tug mats against each other or compete to flip them over as quickly as possible.
The fewer people there are, the more strength is needed to move a mat, which not only helps them sense the weight but also appreciate the importance of cooperation.
Card Flipping Game
A card-flipping game where you flip floor-laid cards to your team’s color.
First, lay out many two-sided cards on the floor, each side a different color.
At the start, make sure the same number of cards are face up for each color.
When the signal is given, flip any cards that aren’t your team’s color to turn them into your team’s color.
Even if the other team flips them back, you can re-flip as many times as you want within the time limit.
In the end, the team that has flipped more cards to their own color wins! It’s surprisingly active, so if you feel your child might not be getting enough exercise, give it a try.
Crawling tag
Crawl Tag: both the chaser and the runners move around on all fours.
The posture can be tough for adults, but kids who are used to crawling can enjoy it just like regular tag! Aside from the rule that you must never stand and only move by crawling, it’s played the same way as ordinary tag.
It’s also a good idea to set up obstacles that act like walls so you can’t see someone crawling until you get close.
If you keep the rules simple—just have children crawl away from parents, teachers, or friends—it’ll be easy even for kids who have only just started crawling.
Ninja Game
How about doing some full-on ninja training indoors on a rainy day? Imitate all kinds of ninja-like movements to get your body moving.
Try walking silently, placing your feet carefully so you make no sound, or use ninja arts to disguise yourself as a tree or a rock to hide from enemies…
Another fun idea is to have one person press their hands together and slide them quickly, pretending to throw shuriken in every direction, while the other keeps dodging them—repeat this back and forth.
Combine lots of different moves and really get into character as a ninja!
Rock-Paper-Scissors Train
Let’s play “Rock-Paper-Scissors Train,” a game where we make a long train! At first, everyone moves around freely while the music is playing.
When the music stops, you play rock-paper-scissors with the person in front of you.
If you lose, you connect by standing behind the winner.
The winner becomes (or stays) the train’s front and moves around with everyone attached behind.
Repeat this until there’s no one left without a partner.
The person who remains at the front until the very end wins.
Since the line will keep getting longer, play in as large a space as possible.
beast hunting
A fun indoor adventure game: Monster Hunt.
First, everyone sings the Monster Hunt song along with the teacher.
In the song, it says you’re carrying lots of weapons needed for the hunt, so try adding gestures that match the lyrics.
At the end of the song, the teacher says the name of the beast that’s been found.
Make groups with the same number of people as the number of characters in that beast’s name and sit down—that’s a success! For example, if the beast is “raion” (lion) with four characters in Japanese, you form groups of four.
It’s also fun to make it harder by choosing beasts with longer names as you go.
See how many different beasts you can find!
bowling
This is a PET-bottle bowling game that even small children can enjoy indoors.
Decorate the bottles with the children’s artwork made using stickers, crayons, scissors, and glue! Kids will love the tactile fun of sticking on stickers and the fresh experience of drawing with crayons.
If scissors are used, teachers should provide age-appropriate support.
Wrap the finished drawings around the PET bottles and enjoy bowling! The excitement of a first bowling game will have their hearts racing.
When they knock the pins down well, they’ll also feel a great sense of achievement!
Rhythm Play
Let’s try playing by moving our bodies to the rhythm! Rhythm play includes making sounds with your own body—like clapping your hands or stomping your feet—and moving along to the piano played by the teacher.
You can vary your movements to match the music’s dynamics, making them bigger or smaller, and keep moving while the music is playing, then stop sharply when the music stops.
Music lets you play in many different ways.
It’s also great to try instruments: use castanets or tambourines found in nurseries and kindergartens, or make your own instruments with items like plastic bottles and try playing them.
There are many ways to enjoy rhythm play, so try different activities suited to the child’s age.
gymnastics
When rainy weather makes it hard to go outside and you’re worried about not getting enough exercise, try doing some gymnastics indoors to really move your body! Dancing to kids’ favorite exercise songs like “Ebi-Kanikusu,” “Poupelle of Chimney Town,” or “Jamboree Mickey” is a great idea.
Using mats and balance beams to practice apparatus gymnastics is also recommended.
You could also move freely and work hard at gymnastics to the teacher’s piano accompaniment.
Be sure to do thorough stretches both before moving a lot and after you’re done to loosen up your body.
Craft play
On a rainy day, how about engaging your hands and diving into some focused crafts and art activities? Drawing pictures, folding origami, making handicrafts… Adding elements that represent the rainy season can bring out a sense of seasonality.
For example, you could draw pictures inspired by rain-themed picture books or songs, or depict seasonal creatures like hydrangeas and snails through drawing or crafts.
It’s also a great idea to express your excitement for sunny summer days by drawing things you want to do in summer or a clear blue sky.
Even in the gloomy rainy season, creating something nice will surely brighten children’s moods!