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! A collection of indoor play ideas to get kids moving (21–30)

Moving House Game

[For toddlers, simple, movement play] Moving House Game

Moving House Game

Let’s move to a distant base! Here’s an idea for a “Moving House” game.

In this game, the cue word is “Moving House,” and children simply move from one mat to another.

Once they get used to it, teachers or guardians can try to interrupt them along the course.

The fun part is seeing whether they can complete the move while avoiding the teachers or guardians! It’s also a great idea for deepening bonds among the children by giving them a shared goal.

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Copycat Animals

[Have Fun with Music] Try imitating animal movements with “Copycat Animals”

Copycat Animals

Here’s a copycat animal game that kids of different ages can enjoy while moving their bodies.

Along with a piano melody, the teacher says the name of an animal and imitates it.

The children enjoy moving like the animal in their own way, at a level that suits their age.

You might even see the younger children copying the movements of the older ones.

It could also be fun to ask the children what animals they can think of as you go along.

This copycat animal play is a great way to get kids moving indoors—give it a try!

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Balloon roly-poly game

https://www.tiktok.com/@soramame.sensei/video/7464447014768528658

First, attach a weight to a balloon to make one that pops back up when knocked over.

Create a 3×3 grid on the floor with hula hoops or similar, and you win by lining up three in a row vertically, horizontally, or diagonally! This activity effectively improves motor skills, hand–eye balance, and sense of force control.

Kids are sure to be captivated.

It’s easy to prepare and safe to enjoy indoors, so adults can join in the fun too.

It promotes growth through play, so be sure to enjoy it together with the children!

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Indoor game with pool stick rackets

[Improve Your Posture!] Play at Home with a Pool Stick Racket

Indoor game with pool stick rackets

This is a pool noodle racket game that kids and adults can enjoy! First, bend a halved pool noodle into a ring and secure it with tape.

Next, wrap plastic wrap across it in a cross pattern three times, and you’ve got a clear racket! It’s fun to play solo with a balloon, but making another racket to play with a few people sounds great too.

Raising your head and lifting your arms in a “hands up” position is said to help strengthen your back muscles.

Because it’s very light, it’s safe for toddlers to play with.

It’s recommended for both outdoor and indoor play!

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Red Light, Green Light: the daruma who delivers the ball

Hula hoops are safe bases! Let me share an idea for a “Red Light, Green Light” style game where you deliver a ball.

You’ll need more hula hoops than the number of children playing, plus a ball.

You have to move forward to carry the ball, but if you step outside a hula hoop, you get caught! It’s a unique game that lets kids enjoy that thrilling tension.

Even if you’re thinking about which hula hoop to move to, you might end up choosing the same one as a friend.

It seems great for developing quick decision-making skills, too.

Give it a try!

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Tag

Must-see: 3 tag game variations that work your brain and body! Fun for elementary schoolers and even preschoolers, these games boost three abilities. Packed with tips for brain training and time-saving too.

Tag

Tag, both now and in the past, has always been a beloved and popular game, but with a few tweaks it can be just as exciting indoors.

Since indoor spaces are more limited than outdoors, why not try playing with a rule like moving from wall to wall without getting caught by the tagger? Compared to regular tag, the routes are more predictable, which gives the tagger an advantage.

But if you add a rule that the tagger must perform a set movement while waiting, it makes the game more interesting.

It tests different strategies and bursts of speed than outdoor play, so it’s a great variation to try when you’re bored with regular tag.

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Hoshino Takashi

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The Little Bird’s Move

[Exercise & Gymnastics Kids Enjoy] “Little Bird Moving House” Recommended from Age 3 / Rule-based movement games and exercise/gymnastics educational videos from ‘Okaasan to Issho’ to improve motor skills

The Little Bird’s Move

This is a game where you pretend to be a little bird and move from one designated point to another without getting caught by predators.

Adults play the role of predators, such as crabs or crocodiles.

If you slip past the predators and make it to the next point, you’re safe.

Since you move from a seated “mountain pose” with your bottom on the floor, using your hands and feet, you can’t move freely.

This helps develop decision-making skills, such as when to start moving and how fast you can go.

If there are many players, using a point system makes it even more exciting.

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Hoshino Takashi

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