[Childcare] Perfect for June! Indoor play ideas to incorporate into childcare
June brings the rainy season, when outdoor play tends to decrease in childcare settings.
With so many days of unfavorable weather, teachers often struggle because the children can’t play to their hearts’ content.
So, we’ve gathered ideas for indoor activities here! We’ll introduce a variety of games, from ones that get kids moving to quieter activities they can enjoy calmly.
The more play options you have, the more smiles you’ll see from the children! Please use this as a reference so both children and adults can enjoy fun times together.
Children’s creations are treated as “works,” so we refer to them as “seisaku (制作)” in the text.
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[Childcare] Perfect for June! Indoor play ideas to incorporate into childcare (21–30)
Seated tag
“We can’t play outside because of the rain, but I still want to move my body as much as possible today!” In times like these, here’s a childcare-friendly game we recommend: “Seated Tag.” First, the children start in a seated position.
The rule is that they must keep their bottoms on the floor at all times.
Set a time limit, then play tag while staying seated.
Since it doesn’t involve running, it’s safe and fun to play indoors.
It also helps build leg strength as kids move using their legs and bottoms, so be sure to add it to your play repertoire!
Versatile item! Indoor play with a pool cue
Here are some indoor play ideas using versatile pool noodles.
These easy-to-find pool noodles are great because kids can play with them safely.
While seated, you can make a slope with your knees and roll a pool noodle from the top—watching it pick up speed is lots of fun.
You can also try different activities, like crawling through a bent pool noodle, or moving just before a noodle falls (like the game “stick drop”) to catch it.
The variety of ways to play is a big attraction.
Since they’re made of soft material, they won’t hurt if they bump into the body, making for safe, enjoyable play.
Summer at-home fun you can get all at the 100-yen shop!
Everything you need from the 100-yen shop! Here are some ideas for summer play at home.
Have you heard of a sensory bag? It’s a pouch-like item used as a toy to stimulate children’s senses, letting them play while engaging their perception and sensations.
This time, let’s make a DIY sensory bag and play with it! You’ll need a vacuum/compression bag, decorative pom-poms, beads, and liquid laundry starch or school glue.
You can also add glitter for extra sparkle.
The cool, chilly feel makes it perfect for summer.
Handmade toy made from masking tape (yojo tape)
What can we make? Here are some ideas for DIY toys using masking tape.
Masking tape is probably something you have on hand both at preschool and at home.
Let’s try making toys with it.
You could even set a time limit and improvise—how exciting! What would you make? What kinds of ideas would children come up with? Just thinking about it is exciting, isn’t it? In the video, it’s used like tunnels and pockets.
Give it a try and incorporate it into your playtime.
Cute! Teru teru bozu
Cute! Here’s an idea for making a teru teru bozu.
A teru teru bozu is a hanging doll made of cloth or paper, crafted to wish for sunny weather.
It’s one of Japan’s traditions and even appears in a children’s song sung during the rainy season.
This time, let’s make an adorable teru teru bozu with origami.
You’ll need two sheets of white origami paper and one sheet for the ribbon.
For the ribbon, it’s nice to use patterned paper or your favorite color.
Try making one for events or outings when you’re hoping for clear skies.
A frog you can make and play with
Here are some craft ideas themed around frogs, which often appear during the rainy season.
Try making projects that are fun both to create and to play with! There’s a wide range, such as castanets that make sounds using paper plates and small glass counters, or pieces that express a frog’s hopping motion with two paper cups.
If you want to make a more realistic frog, you could create one that croaks when you move a straw.
You can also combine a milk carton with a frog to make a snap-and-jump frog.
Try making these items to liven up indoor childcare activities on rainy days!
Colored water play
Let’s try a colored-water activity where you add color to clear water and enjoy both the feel of touching the water and the visual changes in color.
First, use colorful water-based markers to add color to a sheet of copy paper.
Next, dip the copy paper into a clear cup filled with water.
You can enjoy watching the color gradually spread, and you can look forward to the children’s surprised reactions.
Once you’ve made a few different colored waters, it’s also fun to mix them to create new colors.
Give this activity a try—it also helps train concentration and observation skills.