Perfect for June! A collection of indoor play ideas to incorporate into childcare
June is the rainy season.
When rainy days continue, kids spend more time indoors, and you start looking for ideas for activities they can really enjoy.
So here are some indoor play and recreation ideas perfect for childcare in June.
We’ve gathered a rich variety, from cooperative balloon games and energetic competitive activities to seasonal crafts with origami.
Choose according to the children’s ages and interests, and enjoy rainy days filled with smiles!
Perfect for June! A Collection of Indoor Play Ideas to Incorporate into Childcare (1–10)
https://www.tiktok.com/@cocorurueniwa/video/7470726715153730823A colorful floor makeover! Here are some play game ideas that use colors.
They’re fun activities that nurture color sense and attention.
Cut five colors of tape into short pieces and stick them on the floor; as children look for and step on each specified color, they can develop their ability to distinguish colors and follow rules.
The game is simple yet helps train reflexes and balance, and it’s perfect for group fun.
Try incorporating it as an activity in your after-school day service.
[Indoor Play] Eurhythmics
![[Indoor Play] Eurhythmics](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/jsXO7w4Smlw/sddefault.jpg)
How about some casual eurhythmics play to music? If you tune in to various sounds and move your body lightly, you can blow away the damp, gloomy feeling of the rainy season.
To keep with the season, it’s nice to use rain-themed songs.
Walk to “Amefuri” (It’s Raining), jump to “Kaeru no Gassho” (Frog Chorus), and wriggle forward using only arm strength to “Katatsumuri” (Snail).
After a short lie-down break to a gentle tune like “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” finish with a lively run to “Puppy March” to add contrast—kids will love it.
Experimental play
It would be nice to try age-appropriate science play during the rainy season, when kids spend more time playing indoors.
First, for younger children, try an experiment using baking soda.
Mix water colored with food coloring, dish soap, and baking soda.
Then pour vinegar over it—the fizzy bubbling will seem “like magic” and is sure to amaze them.
For middle preschoolers, try a marbling experiment.
First, pour milk into a container and add drops of food coloring.
Touch the surface with a cotton swab dipped in dish soap and watch the colors spread.
By giving children experiences that feel mysterious, we can nurture their sense of “Why?” and encourage their curiosity.
Balloon Play
Balloons floating softly in the air are very safe, so kids can play with them with peace of mind.
Here are some indoor games using balloons.
The “keep it off the floor” game naturally encourages kids to cooperate, calling out to each other to keep the balloon from touching the floor and getting excited together.
In the balloon passing game, form groups of about six and split into teams.
Enjoy sending the balloon from front to back, or passing it under the knees.
The team that can pass the balloon the fastest wins.
You can also stick a strip of plastic tape across the middle of the room and enjoy balloon volleyball or soccer.
Please choose and enjoy games suited to the children’s ages.
A toy you can play with: Hopping Frog
How about making a bouncy frog toy that’s perfect for the rainy season? You’ll need two paper cups, construction paper, rubber bands, markers, scissors, double-sided tape, and so on.
Try engaging the kids first by asking questions like, “What animal loves the rain?” and then explain the steps.
The key features are big, bulging eyes and a wide mouth.
As long as you convey these points, let them design the rest freely.
Another nice thing is that this toy can be adapted into various others, like rockets.
Pill bug tagNEW!
https://www.instagram.com/reels/DKZefCDPvQH/June is the season when pill bugs get active, isn’t it? So how about letting the kids become pill bugs too and enjoy a game of tag? In this game, both the tagger and the runners move while staying seated, using only their feet and hands.
It really works the abs, so they can build core strength while playing.
Some kids might get into character and hide under chairs or behind objects like real pill bugs.
You can probably expect some to go prone and crawl on their bellies to give chase, too.
It’s a recommended tag game where you’ll see lots of adorable moments from the children.
Water-carrying relayNEW!
https://www.instagram.com/reels/DL63c9VuwJ5/It’s a rainy day and you can’t go outside! At times like this, try enjoying a room tour.
Walking around is great, but it might also be fun to make ride-on vehicles that kids will love just for the occasion.
Vehicles like work trucks or the Shinkansen are often used at sports festivals, so if you already have them, you can repurpose them.
If you walk around, you’ll naturally get full-body exercise, and if you tour in the vehicles, it’ll feel like a trip! A stamp rally would likely be a hit too, so why not prepare one with June-themed illustrations?
Let’s enjoy the sound!NEW!
https://www.instagram.com/reels/DKbO5Oghtzr/June is the rainy season, so it often rains.
Let’s make the most of that rain and try a fun activity.
The idea is to catch the rainwater coming off the roof using various containers.
You’ll need a heavy rain for this, but using a shower works too.
Any container is fine—washbasins, ladles, whatever you have! Listen for the different sounds each container makes and notice the differences.
Finally, try touching the water with your hands—actually, curious kids will almost certainly do that anyway, so prepare clothes that can get wet and keep the activity short to avoid catching a cold.