Lovely childcare

[Childcare] Full of energy! Indoor activity ideas to get kids moving

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.

There are times when the weather or location keeps you from playing outside, right?

You still want to get moving and play with your energetic kids, even just a little.

For teachers who feel this way, here are some ideas for indoor active play.

The games that captivate children vary depending on their age and interests.

This time, we’ve gathered activities that involve different movements and creative thinking—so you’re sure to find ideas that fit your class perfectly!

Kids will be thrilled with games that are possible precisely because they’re indoors.

Teachers, have fun together with the children, too.

[Childcare] Full of energy! Indoor physical activity play ideas (81–90)

gymnastics

5 fun exercises for 1-year-olds to enjoy while strengthening their core!

gymnastics

For one-year-olds, the most important things in gymnastics are enjoying it and imitating.

As an introduction, read picture books and have the teacher demonstrate lots of movements.

They’re also becoming interested in familiar plants and animals, so choosing the right themes is a key point.

This is a time when they’re receiving lots of stimulation—seeing, feeling, thinking—so take plenty of time for the lead-up to the gymnastics activities.

It’s best to work in a way that supports one-year-olds as they learn to do a variety of poses.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Clapping game until you drop

Let's all compete together! [Applaud until you drop]

Clapping game until you drop

It’s a game you can casually play in a compact space without any special preparation or large area.

The rules are simple: first, each person holds a sheet of tissue paper.

Then, raise your hand above your head and drop the tissue, competing to see how many times you can clap before it falls.

You’ll stretch to drop it from as high as possible and move quickly to pick it up, so it becomes a full-body activity.

The lively clapping sounds make it fun and cheerful, and it’s great to see everyone smiling!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Bug-catching game

Looks fun! …but the cleanup seems tough. #ChildcareWorker #AfterSchoolDayService #AichiPrefecture #TokaiCity #FreeSmile #Recreation #Play #Fluttering #Origami

Bug-catching game

Here’s a bug-catching game you play with a butterfly net.

The rules are very simple: cut origami paper into small pieces to make confetti, put it in a bowl, and get ready.

The person dropping the confetti stands on a raised platform and sprinkles the paper down.

The child below holds a butterfly net and tries to catch the confetti with the net.

It’s a fun game where you watch the confetti fall from above and move the hand-held net to catch it inside.

Try it in a spacious area and be sure to play safely!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Rock-paper-scissors is fun even in the rain

[Play] Rock-Paper-Scissors & Recommended Activities [Nursery/Kindergarten]

Rock-paper-scissors is fun even in the rain

Here are some rock-paper-scissors games you can enjoy indoors with kids, even on rainy days.

“American Janken” reverses winning and losing, so it makes you think.

“Body Janken” is a game where you represent rock, paper, and scissors using your whole body.

It’s recommended to decide how you’ll show rock, paper, and scissors beforehand.

In “Newspaper Janken,” which uses newspaper, you stand on a sheet and play; each time you lose, you fold your newspaper once to make it smaller.

In “Janken Train,” the loser lines up behind the winner, and the ‘passengers’ gradually increase.

Find your favorite janken game and give it a try!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Balloon play

Balloon playtime with the Elephant Class (2-year-olds). Everyday life at Hachiman Kodomoen (Fukui City). April 2018.

Balloon play

Let’s have some fun with balloons—you can even get them at the 100-yen shop! There are no rules for how to play, so once you inflate a balloon, try throwing it, catching it, or kicking it around in a spacious area.

If you prepare balloons in various colors and let the kids choose, or draw their favorite characters on them, they’ll love it.

It could be even more exciting if adults join in—drop balloons from a high place or toss a bunch all at once!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem