[Childcare] Fun Rhythm Play! Recommended Games and Hand-Clapping/Hand-Play for Kids
Rhythm play—moving the body in time with rhythms, songs, and music—is said to nurture not only a sense of rhythm, but also expressiveness, social skills, and physical ability.
It is one of the essential activities for healthy child development.
With that in mind, here are some recommended rhythm-based activities that can be enjoyed in nursery schools and kindergartens.
From gymnastics, eurhythmics, hand games, and group games to quick activities you can do in spare moments and more in-depth, focused ones, there’s a wide range of play that will spark children’s curiosity.
Get moving with your whole body and enjoy these activities together with the children!
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- Let’s pretend to be sea creatures with Eurhythmics! Fun music education for children
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- Parent–child interactive play. Fun activities popular in childcare settings and at parent–child observation days.
- Eurhythmics to help you internalize musical notes. Let’s play with chestnuts and fallen leaves!
- [Childcare] Recommended for little kids! A fun round song that makes you want to sing!
[Childcare] Fun Rhythm Play! Recommended Games and Hand-Clapping/Hand-Play for Kids (11–20)
Eurhythmics exercises
Eurhythmics exercises, where you move your body to the rhythm.
Staying cooped up at home can make kids feel stressed, right? Let’s help them blow off that stress by getting them moving! Unlike regular calisthenics, eurhythmics expresses music through movement and encourages individuality instead of fixed routines.
A slightly shy child might feel embarrassed at first and not join in, but with music playing or while watching a video, they’ll surely start to feel like moving along.
Mimic Rhythm Play
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.
Rhythm Play
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.
Cup rhythm game
Here’s an idea where children enjoy a musical game called “Cups” using cups to the popular YOASOBI song Yoru ni Kakeru.
Clap your hands, tap the cup tap-tap, set it on the table, and give it a spin! It creates a fun time full of smiles and rhythm at the after-school day service.
The moves are simple, but when the sounds and claps line up, the sense of unity is perfect.
Children with disabilities can join at their own pace too! With a bit of creativity, any child can enjoy it.
Even the adults watching will get excited and want to try it themselves.
All you need are paper or plastic cups, so it’s easy to introduce—give it a try!
Cleaning Eurhythmics
Let’s make use of handkerchiefs and organza fabric! Here are some ideas for “cleaning-themed eurhythmics.” Eurhythmics is an educational method that combines music and movement, and it’s said to be especially effective in early childhood.
This time, let’s play with a cleaning theme through cleaning eurhythmics.
By using handkerchiefs, children can move their hands and arms in time with the music.
A nice benefit is that they can develop a sense of force control and rhythm while having fun.
Using light, soft materials also makes them easier for children to handle!
paper plate castanets
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Akuma Night Disco (feat. Nozomi Sato) – The Ghost's Strange Tale
This is a sound-play item that you can easily make with familiar materials.
First, fold a paper plate in half and attach a plastic bottle cap.
Make a hole in the middle of the fold, thread a rubber band through it, and tie it so it won’t come out.
Decorate it, and you’re done! When you tap it lightly, it produces a fun sound that helps develop hand movement and a sense of rhythm.
By varying the volume and rhythm, it can also boost concentration and promote emotional stability.
The time spent making it with your child becomes a wonderful opportunity for communication filled with smiles.
Be sure to include it in your playtime with your child.
[Childcare] Fun Rhythm Play! Recommended Games and Hand-Clapping/Action Songs for Kids (21–30)
Mimic Animal Rock-Paper-Scissors
Here’s a game called “Copycat Animal Rock-Paper-Scissors” that helps children of different ages interact and become friends.
At the cue, “Copycat animal, rock-paper-scissors—go!” everyone strikes an animal pose.
If both partners choose the same animal pose, they earn 1 point; if they choose different poses, they spin around once on the spot.
It’s recommended that teachers and children decide the set of animal poses in advance.
You may see older children teaching the animal poses to younger ones.
Come up with lots of pose variations and have fun!