[Childcare] DIY Ideas for Circuit Play
On rainy days when you can’t go outside, kids have so much extra energy, don’t they?
That’s when circuit play is highly recommended.
Circuit play, which involves a variety of whole-body movements, is perfect for kids who love to be active!
Through play, you can naturally promote the development of their motor skills.
In this article, we’ll introduce DIY ideas you can use for circuit play!
From tunnels and balance beams to stepping stones, there are plenty of ideas you can make with everyday recyclables and items from the dollar store.
Choose options that suit your children’s ages and developmental stages, and give them a try.
Once you build them sturdily, you can reuse them again and again—not just for everyday care, but also for sports days, parent observation days, and many other occasions.
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- Ideas for indoor play and physical activities recommended for 1-year-olds
- [Childcare] Simple DIY ideas you can use for pretend shops
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- Fun activities with newspaper! Recreation games kids will love
- [For 0-year-olds] Fun indoor play ideas using raffia tape (suzuran tape)
[Childcare] Handmade Ideas for Circuit Play (21–30)
A circuit where you role-play as a ninja
Nin-nin! Swift and stylish moves! Here are some circuit ideas for becoming a ninja.
Prepare a ninja transformation set made from construction paper, a balance beam, a jump rope, mats, and so on.
The video introduces circuit ideas for three-year-olds, but with a few tweaks, many of them can be uniquely adapted for two-year-olds as well! Let’s use the balance beam, jump rope, and mats to fully get into ninja mode.
Wearing a ninja dress-up set to boost the mood is a great idea, too.
Cardboard kart circuit
Let’s have fun with decorations too! Here are some ideas for a cardboard kart circuit.
What you’ll need: a kart made from cardboard, hats made from construction paper, crayons or colored pencils, coloring pages, double-sided tape, building blocks, and balloons.
Some kids may have played go-kart or racing kart games before, right? Hop into a cardboard kart and race along a course made from blocks! It’s also great to arrange it as a parent-child activity.
Since decorating the cardboard karts is part of the fun, the making process looks exciting too!
Goldfish Migration Circuit
Finish together as parent and child! Here’s an idea for a Goldfish Migration Circuit.
You’ll need homemade scoops (poi), two kiddie pools, goldfish made from colored plastic bags, and red-and-white flags.
Many children may feel nervous in the unusual atmosphere of a sports day, right? Participating in the event together with a parent can help ease those nerves a bit.
This event requires teamwork between parent and child! Let’s successfully move the goldfish while calling out to each other.
The cute costumes are another highlight, too!
Milk Carton Circuit
@kazenomori.piconursery Super easy! The recipe is in the comments!#Nursery school#HandmadeToysTranslationLifehackChildcareNursery teacher / Childcare worker#Indoor Play#Milk carton#Pico Nursery
Shuwa-shuwa Honey Lemon 350ml – Sharou
Make it with everyday materials! Here are some circuit course ideas using milk cartons.
All you need are milk cartons and tape.
After cutting the cartons, connect them using an accordion fold.
They can be used as lane dividers, and it’s also fun to incorporate them into activities by putting organza fabric or colorful balls inside the cartons.
For children with allergies, using juice or tea cartons instead of milk cartons is a safer option.
Give it a try!
Handmade ball circuit
Let’s use a variety of balls! Here are some ideas for a handmade ball circuit.
Prepare palm-sized balls, large balls you can hold with both hands, newspaper, cushioning material, tape, and bags or baskets big enough to hold the balls.
Try events like rolling balls along the floor or collecting balls in bags or baskets—use balls of different sizes and materials to build spatial awareness through play! Using balls that differ in weight and texture will also stimulate children’s senses.
Give it a try!
Circuit of/for interlocking mats
@mammybear_ Using 100-yen shop interlocking mats and non-slip plates, I made a bumpy road for circuit play. It doesn’t take up much space and is easy to put away.ChildcareMade with items from a 100-yen shop#Circuit PlayChildren's playRecommended
♬ Excited! Cheerful and happy! Whistling ukulele! – harryfaoki
Let’s make a bumpy road! Here are some ideas for a circuit course using interlocking foam mats.
You’ll need interlocking mats from a 100-yen shop, a utility knife, small bowls, and tape.
First, cut the mats into circular shapes.
Next, fit the bowls into the holes and secure them with tape.
Finally, flip the mats over, and you’re done! The key is to place the bowls to match a child’s stride.
Interlocking mats are great because you can assemble the course in any shape you like!
In conclusion
How did you like those handmade ideas for circuit play? Each one seems surprisingly easy to make, right? Many of them can be made by cleverly using recycled materials, so why not try some crafts with your child and, once you’ve made a few, put together a circuit course? If you design the course while discussing it with your child, you might come up with some unexpected ideas! Until everyone gets used to it, have an adult nearby to help and keep a close eye on things, and enjoy it safely.