[Childcare] Newspaper play ideas! With a little creativity, the ways to play are endless.
Newspaper play is easy to incorporate, so many teachers may already be using it.
However, if your ideas become repetitive, your activities can lose their freshness and the children might get bored.
So this time, we’re sharing ideas for games that make use of newspapers! Newspapers lend themselves to many different kinds of play, making them perfect for anyone who wants to try something new.
The children are sure to be completely absorbed.
Be sure to have fun together and get everyone excited!
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[Childcare] Newspaper Play Ideas! Infinite Ways to Play with a Little Creativity (1–10)
Let’s play with newspaper stick(s)
Let’s make newspaper stick toys that are sure to delight children and play with them! Kids will be fascinated by the fluffy wand that stretches with a boing, and they’re bound to have fun.
The method is very simple, so try making them together with your child—or teachers can make them to surprise the kids! Cut a sheet of newspaper lengthwise into two pieces.
Roll up one piece tightly; as you reach the end, overlap the second piece and continue rolling.
Secure it with cellophane tape.
To finish, cut a cross-shaped slit at the tip, then pull out the inner newspaper from the center—and it’s done! Once you make one, you can enjoy it over and over again, so give it a try.
Playing with clothes
Why not try playing by imagining newspapers as clothing? If you spread out a sheet of newspaper, you can make outfits that even small children can wear! Just cut a hole for the head and you’ve got a proper newspaper dress! You can also make pants or skirts—get creative and expand the variations.
Have fun making them together with the kids.
It also sounds fun to let the children freely decorate with origami, washi tape, or stickers!
Newspaper Ninja
Shall we play “Newspaper Ninja” using everyday newspapers? All you need is newspaper! It’s a free activity that kids and adults can enjoy together.
Hide behind a big sheet for the “Cloak of Invisibility,” rip the paper to shreds for the “Clone Technique,” and pretend the torn pieces are throwing stars for the “Shuriken Technique.” Make the most of newspapers and have fun! Don’t forget to finish with the “Gathering Technique” to clean up.
It’s sure to be a hit at preschools and kindergartens!
[Childcare] Newspaper Play Ideas! Infinite Ways to Play with a Little Creativity (11–20)
Playing with newspapers in the infant class
Let’s experience playing with newspapers for the first time in the infant class! Enjoy the unique sounds and textures of newspapers, like the rustling and the ripping noises.
You can also fill a plastic pool with lots of torn newspaper pieces and play inside, play peekaboo by hiding under the newspaper, or even make a “blanket” or cute ribbons! There are endless ways to play with newspaper.
We’re excited to see how the children will choose to play with it.
Enjoy newspaper hats
Here’s a newspaper hat that’s recommended for children ages 4 and up.
Since newspaper is a soft paper, it’s easy to shape, and even young children can easily make a cool hat! The folding method is simple, but if making it alone is still difficult, try working together with a parent or teacher.
It also looks great decorated at the end with stickers, origami paper, or paint! Give it a try during at-home time or as a recreation activity at kindergarten or daycare.
Playing bus with newspaper handles
Let’s make newspaper handles for playing bus pretend! Ordinary newspaper transforms into a steering wheel.
Stack several sheets, roll them up, shape them into a circle, and decorate with vinyl tape—done! Teachers and caregivers can prepare them in advance, or make them together with children depending on their age.
Use the handles you made and play along with the song “Basugokko no Uta” (Bus Pretend Song)! This activity is especially recommended for kids who love vehicles, so be sure to give it a try.
Making ice cream with newspaper
These ice creams made from newspaper are perfect for pretend play.
To make them, simply wrap crumpled newspaper with tissue paper or construction paper in your favorite colors! If you tear the tissue paper or layer and paste it, you can create a marbled design—give it a try.
You can also twist a sheet of newspaper into a triangle to turn it into an ice cream cone! Make all kinds of ice creams and play shopkeeper! Since you can have fun playing after you make them, why not include this activity in pretend play at daycare or kindergarten?