Lovely childcare

[Childcare] DIY Ideas for Circuit Play

9 years of experience as a nursery school teacherShibata Risa
I am an active nursery school teacher with 9 years of experience. After graduating from university, I worked at a daycare center. The time I spent happily with children—playing piano, singing songs, and doing finger-play—are priceless memories to me. Currently, while raising three children of my own, I work at an after-school day service, engaging with children and providing individualized developmental support. Drawing on my diverse experiences as a childcare worker and as a mother, I hope to express and convey my thoughts through writing.

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.

[Childcare] Handmade Ideas for Circuit Play (21–30)

Goldfish Migration Circuit

Tomobe Kindergarten Sports Day Event Description No. 6: “Goldfish Moving Operation”

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!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

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.Childcare Made with items from a 100-yen shop #Circuit Play Children's play Recommended
♬ 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!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

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.