[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 (41–50)
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.
[Childcare] Perfect for June! Indoor play ideas to incorporate into childcare (51–60)
Eurhythmics
Eurhythmics is an educational approach that, through engagement with music, promotes the development of children’s fundamental abilities such as motor skills, perception, and the senses.
To the rhythm of the piano, let’s crawl, walk, lie down—using our bodies to the fullest in ways suited to each child’s age! It can also help relieve stress for children who may feel down after many rainy days.
You can add your own twists, like incorporating children’s favorite nursery rhymes and anime songs, or doing exercises from picture books in time with the music!
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.
Treasure Hunt Game
A treasure hunt game is an indoor activity that children can enjoy together with their preschool teachers.
After confirming the room is safe, hide items that children will love so they can freely explore.
By searching for and finding the treasures, they can experience fun and a sense of accomplishment.
Watching them wander around looking here and there is heartwarming.
If they’re struggling and say, “I can’t find it!” the teacher should offer support and search together with them.
A treasure hunt game is a charming activity that can be enjoyed with childcare workers.
Indoor beanbag toss
This is a variation on tamaire, a game often included as an event at school sports days.
The rule is simple: in a room where balls are scattered, players throw balls into baskets from behind a set line.
Attach illustrations showing point values to the baskets—for example, 3 points for a basket close to the line and 10 points for one farther away.
You can also try different ideas, such as chasing a person holding a basket to toss balls in, or aiming at a basket placed on top of a pole.
It’s a great activity that lets kids move their bodies a lot, even on rainy days, so give it a try.
Newspaper play
When it comes to items that liven up indoor play on rainy days, nothing beats newspaper.
You can enjoy a variety of activities tailored to children’s developmental stages.
For example, have them crouch while holding a crumpled ball of newspaper, then jump and open the newspaper at the same time, or let them experience the motions and sounds of tearing newspaper.
There are also races where children try to reach the goal without letting a sheet of newspaper stuck to their belly fall off, and races where they carry a sheet of newspaper balanced on a stick.
Try using a wide range of ideas—like a game where teachers or parents hold a basket for a ball-toss, and the children chase after it—to make playtime fun.
Playing musical instruments
This is an activity where children can experience how musical instruments make sounds.
Prepare instruments that produce sound with simple actions, such as tambourines and castanets.
It’s also recommended to play along to songs based on nursery rhymes and keep the rhythm with the instruments.
You can include elements of eurhythmics and incorporate movement activities set to music.
This activity helps children become interested in making sounds and conveys the joy of expressing together as a group.
Showcase the teacher’s piano or guitar performance as well, and liven up indoor time on rainy days.