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! Recommended Ideas for Group Activities and Games (61–70)

Pyramid Rock-Paper-Scissors

Pyramid Rock-Paper-Scissors: Guaranteed to be a hit! A recreational activity

Pyramid Rock-Paper-Scissors

Guaranteed to be a blast—let’s play Pyramid Rock-Paper-Scissors! First, split into a defense team and an offense team.

Draw pyramid-shaped lines on the ground and place the defenders on the lines.

For example, if there are 15 defenders, put 5 people on the longest bottom line, then 4 on the next, and so on, ending with a single person at the top—that person is the King! The offense team starts by challenging anyone among the 5 at the bottom to rock-paper-scissors; if they win, they move up.

At the end, they play rock-paper-scissors with the King, and if they win, they clear the game.

If they lose at any point, they go back to the starting point.

Losing to the King also sends you back to start.

It’s a fun game where luck is put to the test!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

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!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

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!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Hula-hoop ring toss

[Weekly Mission] Hula Hoop Ring Toss [Co-op Game]

Hula-hoop ring toss

Throw, fly, and cooperate—here’s a fun ring-toss idea using hula hoops! All you need is some large hula hoops.

Form teams of four and try to connect as many hoops as you can.

Jump with the hula hoop like a jump rope to move into your territory, then toss the hoop toward the next teammate.

See how many you can link together within the time limit! Once you get the hang of it, try competing team versus team or work to set a new team record.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Hula hoop relay

[Challenge Video] Passing the Hula Hoop

Hula hoop relay

Let’s move a hula hoop without grabbing it with our hands! Here’s an idea for a hula hoop passing game.

All you need is a large hula hoop.

First, place the hula hoop over one person’s right wrist, then have that person hold hands with another person.

Without grabbing the hula hoop with your hands, can you move it along to the left wrist of the person you’re holding hands with? Once you get the hang of it, try sending the hula hoop back and forth, or increase the number of participants to raise the difficulty.

You’ll get to enjoy the fun of cooperating with friends while following the rules.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem