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 All Play! Recommended Ideas for Group Play and Games (11–20)

Ninja Game

@cocoro_ws ♪ Original Song – [Official] Kokoro Social Welfare Association [Gymnastics 🤸] – [Gymnastics Class] Social Welfare Corporation Kokoro Welfare Association [🤸]

Recommended for preschool classes! Here are some ninja game ideas.

These playful activities let children become ninjas and enjoy moving their bodies.

The teacher calls out moves like “Head Shuriken,” “Ninja Chop,” and “Foot Shuriken,” and the children dodge them by jumping or evading.

It’s great for building stamina and reflexes while moving swiftly like ninjas.

Pretending to be ninjas also sparks imagination, which is another plus.

It looks like a fun way to nurture concentration and flexibility through play!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Evolution Rock-Paper-Scissors

@kidschallengeclub
Introducing Evolution Rock-Paper-Scissors! It’s a game where you keep playing rock-paper-scissors with lots of different people and evolve step by step! If you become a god within the time limit, you win! The kids suddenly start imitating grandpas and grandmas, and it’s so authentic I couldn’t stop laughing. It’s that kind of fun game!evolution Evolution Rock-Paper-Scissors Rock-paper-scissors Rock-Paper-Scissors Game baby #Grandma God Interesting
Invincibly Cute – Naoki Endo

An amusing game where you evolve by winning rock-paper-scissors: “Evolution Janken.” Aim to become a god within the time limit! Everyone starts as a baby.

Since you’re a baby, you crawl to move and play rock-paper-scissors with people you meet.

If you win, you evolve and can move by hands-and-knees crawling.

If you lose, keep belly-crawling and look for your next opponent.

It goes like this: belly-crawl, hands-and-knees crawl, bear walk, adult, elderly person, and finally, you become a god and the game ends.

Evolve within the time limit!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Tag game where the number of chasers increases (Infection tag)

We tried playing tag where the number of chasers keeps increasing!

Tag game where the number of chasers increases (Infection tag)

Here’s an introduction to “Fuyashi Oni,” a heart-pounding, edge-of-your-seat tag game where the number of taggers (oni) keeps increasing.

The rules are very simple: if you’re tagged, you become an oni, so the number of oni steadily grows—making it a game you can play with any number of people.

If you play with 30 people, before you know it there might be 29 oni and you’re the only one still running, surrounded and on pins and needles.

It can even turn into a psychological battle: an oni who’s been tagged might pretend not to notice and act like they’re still a runner, sidling up to someone and tagging them.

You don’t need any special equipment, so give it a try!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Don Janken

After-school Children’s Classroom Physical Activity Program: “Don Janken”

Don Janken

Let’s try playing Don-Janken, a quick and exciting game you can enjoy anywhere! The rules are very simple: split into two teams and line up at opposite ends.

At the signal, the first person from each team runs forward, and when they meet, they play rock-paper-scissors.

If you win, you keep going; if you lose, the next teammate starts running.

You continue advancing by playing rock-paper-scissors, aiming to reach the opponent’s side.

It’s called Don-Janken because when you meet, you both stretch your hands forward, touch with a “don!” and stop.

Play carefully to avoid injuries.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Range ogre

10. Microwave Demon (Microwave tag) [Exercise play]

Range ogre

Here’s an introduction to “Range Oni,” a variation of the familiar kids’ game freeze tag.

“Range” refers to a microwave oven, and this version turns the classic freeze tag into a cooperative game.

The rule is the same up to the point where a player tagged by the chaser freezes on the spot.

In Range Oni, when you find a frozen friend, two teammates surround them and hold hands.

While saying “Range de chin” (like the microwave’s beep), they lower their joined hands, and the frozen friend is “defrosted” and can move again.

Of course, if the chaser tags them before the defrost is complete, everyone freezes—making it a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat game of tag!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

S-ken

S (Es) Ken

S-ken

Territory battles while hopping on one foot! Introducing S-Ken, a game you play with one-legged hopping.

Divide the children into two teams.

Draw a large S on the ground, place treasure in each team’s territory, and surround each treasure with a half-circle.

Set up several islands around the S as safe zones, and make an out area—then it’s time to play! When attacking the other team, you must challenge them while hopping on one foot.

Battles are like hand-push sumo, and always one-on-one.

If both feet touch the ground, you’re out and must watch the outcome from the out area.

Who will snatch the other team’s treasure first? It’s sure to get exciting!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

[Childcare] Let's Play Together! Recommended Group Play and Game Ideas (21–30)

Christmas target game!

6th Christmas Guessing Game: Easy Crafts You Can Make and Play as a Parent-Child Pair!

Christmas target game!

How about making a ring toss game you can use at parties? Using colored construction paper, you’ll make a Christmas tree and hats as the targets, plus the rings.

First, to make the tree, prepare a square sheet of origami paper and fold it in half to make a rectangle, aligning the left and right edges.

Next, open the fold, then fold the two bottom corners in toward the center.

Fold the new edges so they overlap at the center, tuck in any excess paper, and shape it into an isosceles triangle to finish.

The hat is made the same way, so decorate it with stickers or pom-poms to complete it.

For the rings, take two strips of construction paper, fold each in half lengthwise, twist them together into one strip, and then connect the ends to form a circle.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem