Lovely childcare

[Childcare] Let’s all play! A collection of recommended ideas for group play and games

20 years of experience as a nursery teacher / kindergarten teacherhiyoko sensei
I’m Hiyoko-sensei, a former nursery school teacher from Hyogo Prefecture. Ever since I was five, my dream was to become a childcare worker, and before I knew it, 20 years had passed since I achieved that dream. Through singing and playing with the children, I kept working with the spirit of someone in their twenties, even as I increasingly felt my physical limits year by year (haha). From here on, I’d like to share helpful information carefully and thoughtfully, drawing on my on-site experience.
Nursery Teacher Mom Writertsukada moe
After working for five years at an after-school childcare club and three years at a nursery school, I began working as a freelance writer. I’m a mother of two children. Inspired by playing the flute in the school wind ensemble in elementary school, I joined a jazz club at university. I’ve also incorporated ukulele and piano performance into childcare. Playing, laughing, feeling sad, feeling frustrated—through all kinds of experiences, I want children to grow.

Group play is essential in early childhood care, isn’t it?

But it’s easy to end up doing the same games over and over, and children can get bored.

So we’ve gathered a collection of group play ideas for teachers who have that concern.

We’ve included a variety of movement-based games that can be enjoyed both outdoors and indoors, so you can choose according to the day’s activity setting.

Another fun aspect of group play is that the level of excitement varies depending on the class’s age and the children’s personalities.

Try choosing while thinking, “Which games will suit my class?”

Let’s spend a fun time with the children.

[Childcare] Let’s Play Together! A Collection of Recommended Group Play and Game Ideas (71–80)

Hoop Helium Ring

@omiyamichinoko
Perfect timing 😂 If you don’t know what the helium ring is, check the previous post!#Omiya Michinoko Nursery School Nursery teacher / Childcare worker #HulaHoop Happening coincidence Recommendation Helium ring
Nanikore Chin Hyakkei Theme (Pictures at an Exhibition) – Soundworks

Let’s play with a hula hoop! Here’s an idea called the Helium Ring.

All you need is a hula hoop.

Form a circle with 4 to 10 people and hold the hula hoop using only your index fingers.

If your team can work together to lower the hula hoop from chest height to the floor without anyone losing contact, you succeed! It’s a great game for building teamwork as you communicate and match your pace.

Adding a time limit makes it thrilling—the pressure contrasts with the slow, careful lowering of the hoop—so give it a try!

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Hoop ball throwing

@omiyamichinoko ♪ Classical Medley 2019 (Cover) – Pianica Magician

Hula hoops become the targets! Here’s an idea for a game where you throw balls at hula hoops.

You’ll need two hula hoops, masking tape, and small colored balls.

First, stick masking tape onto the hula hoops to create targets.

Next, throw the colored balls at the hula hoop targets.

When the balls fly just right, they’ll stick to the masking tape with a satisfying plop—it’s really fun! Competing to see how many colored balls stick should make it even more exciting.

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Hoop Tag

@soramame.sensei
Tag, but with hoops! Jump to the rhythm!! It’s great because even kids who aren’t good at running can enjoy it 😊Child Development Support After-school day service child Parent-child time #StayHomeTime # developmental support (ryōiku)Tag Hoop translation
♬ Fun comical busy busy – SOUND BANK

Let’s play by predicting the ogre’s moves! Here’s a fun idea for a hula hoop tag game.

Prepare nine small hula hoops and an easy-to-see marker for the person who’s “it.” On the count of “1, 2, 3,” jump to move into an adjacent hula hoop! You can move the length of one hoop vertically, horizontally, or diagonally.

“It” also moves on the cue, so the key is to avoid landing in the same hoop as “it.” Predict the ogre’s movements and try to escape to the end!

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Red Light, Green Light: the daruma who delivers the ball

Hula hoops are safe bases! Let me share an idea for a “Red Light, Green Light” style game where you deliver a ball.

You’ll need more hula hoops than the number of children playing, plus a ball.

You have to move forward to carry the ball, but if you step outside a hula hoop, you get caught! It’s a unique game that lets kids enjoy that thrilling tension.

Even if you’re thinking about which hula hoop to move to, you might end up choosing the same one as a friend.

It seems great for developing quick decision-making skills, too.

Give it a try!

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A hoop you can make and play with using newspaper

@soramame.sensei
Educational toy # developmental support (ryōiku)newspaper (newsprint)Form / Shape #CapCut
♬ Kids, cute, pets, energetic background music(1101939) – nyansuke

Fun for kids and adults alike! Here are ideas for a hoop game you can make and play with newspaper.

All you need are newspapers and cards with different motifs drawn on them.

Hand a sheet of newspaper to each person, then reshape the paper according to the motif card that’s revealed—this unique game is all about transforming the newspaper.

For a round motif, link the newspaper into a circle; for a square motif, try folding it into a square.

You can crumple it, fold it, or even tear it, so the game offers a high degree of freedom.

It really sparks creativity!

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Run Away from the Hula Hoop Game

[Group Play] Run Away from the Hula Hoop Game!

Run Away from the Hula Hoop Game

Great for group play! Here’s an idea for a “Run from the Hula Hoop” game.

All you need is a large hula hoop.

The rules are simple: children try not to get hit by a hula hoop that a parent or teacher rolls.

The key is to move while predicting the hoop’s speed and direction.

Once everyone gets used to the game, adding variations to how the hoop moves will keep kids engaged and prevent boredom.

Give it a try and include it in your activities!

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Hula hoop down

[Sports Recreation] Hula Hoop Down — From Failure to Success

Hula hoop down

Here’s an idea for a “Hula-Hoop Down” activity.

Form teams of 7–8 people and lift a hoop using only everyone’s index fingers.

The key is to work together and communicate so you don’t drop the hula-hoop as you lower it from chest height to the floor.

It helps to coordinate your timing by watching the hoop’s movement and calling out cues like “Lowering now” and “Let’s stop.” It’s funny—if everyone’s mindset isn’t aligned, the hula-hoop somehow starts to tilt! Give it a try!

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