[Kindergarten/Daycare] Games and Performances for Fun Events
At kindergartens and daycare centers, fun parties and birthday celebrations are held for the children.
Games and performances are essential for these events.
While many teachers are brainstorming ideas to delight the kids who eagerly look forward to them, some may be struggling with a lack of ideas.
In this article, we introduce games and performances that are perfect for such parties.
We’ve gathered a wide variety, from activities led by teachers to ones where children participate and have fun.
They’re all engaging ideas that spark children’s curiosity! Many of these games and performances are actually used in kindergartens and daycare centers, so feel free to use them as a reference.
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[Kindergarten/Nursery] Fun Party Games and Performances (101–110)
Paper Plate Theater
It’s like a handmade animation where the picture changes as you move the paper plate.
First, you show a silhouette illustration and have people guess what it is.
Then you gradually transform it until the true image is revealed.
The paper plate has slits cut into it, and you make the illustration appear by sliding it through those gaps.
By revealing the answer bit by bit and prompting them to respond as soon as they figure it out, you can encourage them to keep thinking carefully about what the illustration might be without giving up.
Paper airplane throwing
Here’s a paper airplane throwing game that kids and adults alike can enjoy.
Let’s fold paper airplanes using origami paper or flyers.
The size of the paper matters, too.
One of the fun parts of paper airplane throwing is that the flight distance changes depending on how you fold and throw it! If your flight distance isn’t improving, you might discover ways to make it go farther by trying again and again.
Try a variety of games using paper airplanes, such as high-score battles, cup knockdowns, dog-run catches, and pair catches!
Apron Theater
An apron theater is like doing a panel theater using an apron.
We’re performing the panel theater for the curry fingerplay song on an apron.
Panel theater usually involves showing and moving paper pieces, but in this version we attach plush figures to the apron with hook-and-loop fasteners and use the pockets to present them.
It has more three-dimensionality than panel theater, and above all, it’s adorable! And it’s not just for the curry song—depending on your ideas, you can create all kinds of apron theaters.
dance
Dances that are fun to watch and join are perfect for party events! Teachers can perform them as a special act, or everyone can dance together as a form of exercise.
If a teacher performs as an act, wearing an elaborate costume to make it visually striking will captivate even very young children who don’t yet understand the meaning of the dance.
Older children will likely imitate the moves and enjoy dancing along.
If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing act for a party, definitely give a dance a try.
It’s sure to create a wonderful time!
Card Theater
This is a game where you guess various things from colors and shapes.
Turn it into a quiz to get everyone excited and full of anticipation.
Prepare a round red card.
Ask, “What do you think this will transform into?” and draw out some answers from the children.
Then turn the card over and announce the answer: “It was an apple!” Be sure to draw the answer illustration on the back of the card in advance.
With a white round card, it could be a rabbit; with a yellow round card, a sunflower.
You can come up with lots of questions.
It’s also nice to give the card as a prize to the child who answers correctly.
[Kindergartens/Daycare Centers] Games and Performances for Fun Events (111–120)
Reaction Game
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.
Magic Theater
@mammybear_ The cute little ghost’s magic theater is complete! I tried it out before showing it to the kids.Magic Theater#HandmadeToysNursery school teacher#IWantToBeOnTheRecommendations
♬ Cute heartwarming BGM(1490583) – sanusagi
We’d like to introduce a magic theater where, whenever the little ghost eats some food, its body color mysteriously changes.
Before starting the magic theater, do some fingerplay or a simple hand game to create a relaxed atmosphere with the children.
After that, it’s a great time to begin the magic theater.
Playing a bright, slower-tempo song during the performance can help liven things up.
We recommend creating a simple magic theater with a cheerful, seasonal feel so the children can look forward to their days at the preschool.