![[Childcare] Fun mat play ideas for enjoyable exercise](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/_hEN16nMqi0/maxresdefault.webp)
Even when childcare takes place indoors, you still want kids to move their bodies and play… Many teachers probably share this concern.
Mat play is perfect for energetic children because it lets them use their whole bodies while keeping safety in mind.
We’ve gathered ideas suitable for a range of ages, so you’re sure to find activities that match the children’s developmental stages.
It’s also great to combine ideas to create your own original games.
Let’s help children move plenty and have fun, even on days when outdoor play isn’t possible.
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[Childcare] Fun Mat Play Ideas for Physical Activity (1–10)
animal walk
Animal walks are all about mimicking how animals move! For example, the bear walk—placing your hands on the ground and lifting your hips high—helps strengthen the reflex to quickly put your hands out when you fall.
The chick walk—squatting and hugging your knees as you move—is perfect for developing ankle flexibility.
It’s important not just to imitate animals, but to understand what benefits each movement has and to explain key points of how to do them.
Let’s support children in building strong, healthy bodies through fun imitation play.
Bumpy Play
Bumpy play with mat hills! Stack a spread-out mat on top of a rolled-up mat to create bumps at a height that’s easy for children to go back and forth.
They can enjoy it in various ways: dash over the bumps, place two hills in a row and cross them, or crawl over them.
It’s also fun to pair up—hug each other tightly and roll together across the mat, or team up with a teacher for an extra challenge! Be sure to keep a close eye on them so they don’t lose balance and take a spill.
Fun Stretching
Once we give a cheerful greeting, it’s time for fun stretches to begin! We use names that are easy for kids to picture to keep things enjoyable—like the pill bug pose, where they lie down, lift their arms and legs, and wiggle them, or the rice ball pose, where they curl up tight and then open up wide to release.
You can also make standard flexibility exercises more fun by saying things like, “I’m going to cast a spell!” while encouraging a forward bend, or by pretending their foot is a phone to stretch the hip joint.
Add some laughter, and let’s enjoy building flexibility and core strength together.
[Ages 1 and up] Sensory mat
![[Ages 1 and up] Sensory mat](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/teM2_z91TMA/sddefault.jpg)
A “sensory mat” lets kids have fun and get stimulated even indoors.
Because they use mats that let them enjoy various sensations with the soles of their feet, you won’t have to worry about them running around the house! You can make a DIY sensory mat by attaching items with different textures to interlocking floor mats.
For example, choose safe materials for children to walk on barefoot, such as balloons, artificial flowers, sponges, or artificial turf.
If you’re playing in summer, items that feel cool—like cold packs—might also be effective.
Creating tunnels or circuits with sensory mats will make it even more exciting!
Sea Monk
The mat game “Umibozu,” which is popular with children, is a highly game-like activity where you protect your friends from the sea monster! Make sure the Umibozu role is always played by a teacher or a parent/guardian.
Children sit on mats imagined as boats, and the Umibozu appears and tries to carry off their friends.
The rule is that when someone is about to be taken, everyone works together to rescue them and then sits down to escape.
When pulling on legs or arms, be sure to be gentle to avoid injuries.
It’s perfect for playing while interacting with friends, so give it a try!