Let's play with a big group! A collection of fun children's recreational activities

Rhythm Play

Rhythm Play (Imitation Edition)

Let’s enjoy a “rhythm play” that will get your body moving naturally! Tap your knees twice—ton, ton—and then clap your hands once in front of your chest—pan.

To the rhythm of “ton-ton-pan,” the leader changes the “pan” part and names a body part.

For example, “ton-ton head,” “ton-ton butt,” etc.

Everyone else taps their knees twice and then touches the body part the leader names.

Try to keep up with the rhythm without falling behind! As a fun variation, the leader can say an animal name like “ton-ton monkey!” and everyone can imitate its sound, such as “ton-ton ook-kee!” That would be entertaining too.

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hiyoko sensei

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Dodgeball (line dodgeball)

Coordination Training Junior: Dodgeball (Hit-and-Out)

Here’s an introduction to “Nakaa-te,” a game that’s great fun with a large group.

Many of you may have played it when you were little.

While the finer rules can vary by age and experience, the basic idea is simple: players are divided into those inside and outside a boundary, and the people on the outside throw a ball to try to hit the people on the inside.

You can tweak it endlessly—make the boundary a square or a circle, use a larger or smaller ball, and so on.

If any children are afraid of getting hit, try using a soft ball so it doesn’t hurt.

You can play with as few as three people, so give it a try!

Reverse hide-and-seek

Reverse hide-and-seek: When you spot the ‘it’ (the tagger), hide immediately! Who will be the last one remaining...?

The idea of adding a little twist to the usual game of hide-and-seek—reverse hide-and-seek—is really fun and highly recommended.

The rules are flipped: the seeker is the one who hides! Everyone else tries to find the hiding seeker.

If you’re lucky enough to find them, you then go hide somewhere yourself! The person who can’t find the last remaining hider loses.

You might feel like shouting “Found you!” when you spot them, but if you do, everyone else will rush over.

So in reverse hide-and-seek, even if you find the seeker, quietly go hide yourself.

It’s a thrilling game where you keep the joy of discovery to yourself.

Balloon Parachute

We played with a parachute! The Bunny Class (1-year-olds) and the Elephant Class (2-year-olds) were thrilled! Everyday life at Hachiman Kodomoen (Fukui City).

Let’s get moving with a parachute (paraballoon).

When enjoying it with younger children, it’s best to go slowly so they can appreciate the movement and colors of the parachute.

Kids will be captivated by the way it ripples like waves and billows up.

From around ages 4–5, parachute play can be used to learn more structured movements, making it perfect for a sports day performance.

Moving the parachute while stretching their arms and striking poses also helps children practice moving with awareness of the space and distance to their friends.

It’s a recreational activity that’s both thoughtful and fun.

Card-flipping race

At the Fukui City nursery school sports day, parent-child event: Card Flip! Try this popular game together at the sports day!

A recreation game called “Card Flipping” that lots of children can play together.

First, divide into a Red Team and a White Team and use red-and-white caps so it’s clear who’s on which team.

Next, place double-sided red-and-white cards on the ground.

The Red Team flips cards so the red side faces up, and the White Team flips cards so the white side faces up.

When time is up, the team with more cards showing its color wins.

It’s a lively game that both adults and children can enjoy together in large groups.

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kyc

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Mimic Rhythm Play

A handy game for meeting time: “Copycat Rhythm”

Here’s a follow-the-leader rhythm activity you can enjoy while copying movements.

As you hum the rhythm, the teacher demonstrates by clapping hands and gently tapping their own head or arms.

After watching the teacher’s example, the children play along with the rhythm by copying the movements they’ve learned.

During this time, the teacher should also move together with the children to serve as a model.

Younger children can participate within their abilities.

Older children, once they’re used to it, should try making their expressions bigger and more exaggerated.

Have fun by adjusting the tempo as you go.

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mayumi

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Reaction Game

Even toddlers can do it! Here’s a reaction game (recreation game) using markers.

Let’s play with color markers! Here’s a reaction game idea.

It’s perfect for anyone who wants to get kids moving and playing together.

Arrange colorful markers in a circle and place a marker or token in the center—then you’re ready to go.

When the teacher gives the signal, participants circle around the center.

You can make it more fun by adding variations, like switching direction when the teacher claps.

It’s a simple game where players try to find the marker that matches the color of the one the teacher raises along with the signal.

Mukkuri Kuma-san

[Group Game] “Mukkuri Kuma-san” | How to Play “Mukkuri Kuma-san”

A game even infants can enjoy! Here are some ideas for the “Mukkuri Kuma-san” game.

Group play is a great opportunity for children to learn communication skills and how to cooperate.

By playing with friends from the infant class, children can develop the ability to understand rules and other people’s feelings.

In this simple game, everyone forms a circle, sings a song, and walks around the “sleeping bear.” When the song ends, the person playing the bear wakes up and tries to catch the children.

Give it a try!

big-game hunting

[You can also see childcare in action] Ms. Rio’s active play [Big Game Hunting]

Get the fun going! Here are some ideas for the game “Mōjūgari” (Wild Beast Hunt).

It’s a great way to explore number concepts while playing, so we highly recommend it! The call-and-response is done by having children repeat the teacher’s or caregiver’s lines, so keeping it simple and easy to understand is key.

Rules: The teacher or caregiver tells the children the name of an animal.

The children then form groups and sit down in numbers that match the number of letters in the animal’s name specified by the teacher or caregiver.

Start with animals that have fewer letters, and once they get used to it, switch to animals with more letters so they won’t get bored.

Rock-Paper-Scissors Sugoroku

@kidschallengeclub♬ EMA – go!go!vanillas

Turn your room into a sugoroku board! Here’s an idea for a Rock-Paper-Scissors Sugoroku game.

Sugoroku is a traditional Japanese board game where you advance spaces using dice.

However, in this version, you move forward by playing rock-paper-scissors instead of rolling dice.

The rules are simple: win to advance, lose and return to the start.

Kids can join in easily.

Set up mats, balance beams, and vaulting boxes around the room to represent the spaces.

If you’re playing with a large group, holding it in a gym or hall is recommended!