[Childcare] Have fun even on rainy days! Indoor play ideas
When rainy days continue, we end up spending more time indoors, don’t we?
Many teachers at nurseries and kindergartens may be wondering, “What should we play with the children today?” and running out of indoor activity ideas.
So this time, we’re introducing recommended indoor play ideas for rainy days.
From activities that get kids moving, like circuit play and mat play, to group games that let them enjoy interacting with friends, as well as rainy-day crafts and unique sensory play, we’ve packed in a wide variety of ideas!
Have a blast together with the curious and energetic children!
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[Childcare] Have fun even on rainy days! Indoor play ideas (61–70)
Rhythm Play
Let’s try playing by moving our bodies to the rhythm! Rhythm play includes making sounds with your own body—like clapping your hands or stomping your feet—and moving along to the piano played by the teacher.
You can vary your movements to match the music’s dynamics, making them bigger or smaller, and keep moving while the music is playing, then stop sharply when the music stops.
Music lets you play in many different ways.
It’s also great to try instruments: use castanets or tambourines found in nurseries and kindergartens, or make your own instruments with items like plastic bottles and try playing them.
There are many ways to enjoy rhythm play, so try different activities suited to the child’s age.
Eurhythmics
Eurhythmics is an educational approach that, through exposure to music, promotes the development of children’s fundamental abilities—such as motor skills, perception, and the senses.
Moving to the piano’s rhythm, let’s crawl, walk, or lie down, using our whole bodies to play in ways suited to each child’s age! It can also help relieve stress for children who tend to feel down during stretches of rainy days.
You can add your own twists by incorporating children’s favorite nursery rhymes or anime music, or by doing exercises from picture books in time with the rhythm.
gymnastics
When rainy weather makes it hard to go outside and you’re worried about not getting enough exercise, try doing some gymnastics indoors to really move your body! Dancing to kids’ favorite exercise songs like “Ebi-Kanikusu,” “Poupelle of Chimney Town,” or “Jamboree Mickey” is a great idea.
Using mats and balance beams to practice apparatus gymnastics is also recommended.
You could also move freely and work hard at gymnastics to the teacher’s piano accompaniment.
Be sure to do thorough stretches both before moving a lot and after you’re done to loosen up your body.
Experimental play
It would be nice to try age-appropriate science play during the rainy season, when kids spend more time playing indoors.
First, for younger children, try an experiment using baking soda.
Mix water colored with food coloring, dish soap, and baking soda.
Then pour vinegar over it—the fizzy bubbling will seem “like magic” and is sure to amaze them.
For middle preschoolers, try a marbling experiment.
First, pour milk into a container and add drops of food coloring.
Touch the surface with a cotton swab dipped in dish soap and watch the colors spread.
By giving children experiences that feel mysterious, we can nurture their sense of “Why?” and encourage their curiosity.
Flour clay
Clay play is fun because of the enjoyable, hands-on kneading sensation.
Among the options, try spending some indoor time with flour clay! As the name suggests, flour clay is made by turning wheat flour into a clay-like dough, and it’s easy to make at home.
To make it, mix flour and water, and if you want to add color, use food coloring.
Adding salt helps it last longer, and adding oil makes it more springy and chewy.
Depending on the children’s ages, it’s also recommended to have them join in from the clay-making process.
Once your clay is ready, try creating all sorts of things with it!
Storm Storm Big Storm Game
Let’s play using our heads and bodies! Here’s an idea for the Big Storm Game.
Depending on the age group, it’s helpful to prepare visual aids like sample diagrams or origami markers.
Assign one child as the squirrel and two children as the trees.
At the teacher’s cue, “A wolf is coming!” the squirrel moves to a different tree.
At the cue, “A lumberjack is coming!” the trees move to a different squirrel.
At the cue, “A big storm is coming!” everyone moves and pairs up with different friends.
To start, try playing while using the sample diagram or markers as guides!
Sinking Game
The Sinking Game is a fun game where you can feel the thrill of “the ship might sink!” Place several mats randomly around a large space like a hall or gym.
These mats are the ships, so divide the children into groups and have them stand on the mats.
The teacher becomes a scary shark living in the sea.
When the shark (the teacher) calls out, “We’re sinking!”, the children must get off their current ship (mat) and move to a different ship (mat).
If the shark tags them while they’re moving, they’re out! If they can move to another ship without getting caught, they’re safe.
Try mixing in other words that start with the same sound as “chinbotsu” instead of saying “We’re sinking!” to make it even more fun!