[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.
Newspaper Rock-Paper-Scissors
With just a single sheet of newspaper, you can transform it into a fun game! “Newspaper Rock-Paper-Scissors” is an activity kids can enjoy while improving their sense of balance.
Spread one sheet of newspaper on the floor for each player, and as you play rock-paper-scissors, you fold the newspaper.
The person who loses folds their newspaper in half, so it keeps getting smaller.
The key is to keep standing without letting your feet stick out.
It’s an activity that lets children use their creativity and gets everyone excited together.
It’s perfect for indoor play on rainy days, too.
Let’s keep an eye on them so the whole activity—from playing to tidying up—stays fun.
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!
[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.
Newspaper Paper Kendama
This newspaper kendama is perfect for craft-loving kids aged 4 and up.
You can make both the kendama body and the ball entirely out of newspaper! The fun continues after making it, which is part of its charm.
For the body, stack several sheets of newspaper and roll them into a triangle; for the ball, crumple newspaper into a sphere and secure it with tape.
To finish, attach kite string to both the body and the ball—and you’re done! You can adjust the difficulty by changing the size of the body and ball, so feel free to tweak it to suit your child’s age and enjoy.
Newspaper Catch
Newspaper Catch is a game where two people sit back-to-back with their hands on the floor, and rally by sending a sheet of newspaper placed on the floor to each other.
Because it requires wrist strength, it’s an easy way to boost physical ability.
Players develop the ability to adjust how much force is needed to send the lightweight newspaper to their partner, and they can feel a sense of accomplishment as they get better at this catch-and-throw style exchange.
It’s also approachable for kids who aren’t confident with balls, since newspaper feels less intimidating.
Why not have not only children but also adults join in and enjoy the charm of Newspaper Catch together?
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.