[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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- Indoor activities that delight 2-year-olds. Enjoy the fun inside on rainy days!
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- [Childcare] Recommended play ideas for caring for 2-year-olds
- [Childcare] Full of energy! Indoor activity ideas to get kids moving
- [For 5-Year-Olds] Recommended Indoor Play! A Collection of Exciting Games
- Ideas for indoor activities and group games that 5-year-olds like
- Indoor games that different ages can enjoy! Ideas for fun everyone can get excited about together
- [Childcare] Fun Rhythm Play! Recommended Games and Hand-Clapping/Hand-Play for Kids
- Handkerchief and Towel Play! A Collection of Fun Play Ideas
- Collection of indoor play ideas for September! Autumn recreational activities that will captivate children
- [Childcare] Perfect for June! Indoor play ideas to incorporate into childcare
[Childcare] Have fun even on rainy days! Indoor play ideas (61–70)
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!
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!
Bug-catching game
Once you’ve got your very own original bug cage and butterfly net, it’s time to head out! Here are some ideas for pretend bug catching.
Bugs are familiar friends to children—whether it’s spotting pill bugs on a walk or chasing butterflies.
This time, let’s make a one-of-a-kind bug cage and net.
We’ll use recycled materials like milk cartons and plastic bags.
Decorate them with pens, stickers, and cutouts of your favorite motifs from construction paper.
Once you’re done, let’s go out to the schoolyard or park!
Craft play
On a rainy day, how about engaging your hands and diving into some focused crafts and art activities? Drawing pictures, folding origami, making handicrafts… Adding elements that represent the rainy season can bring out a sense of seasonality.
For example, you could draw pictures inspired by rain-themed picture books or songs, or depict seasonal creatures like hydrangeas and snails through drawing or crafts.
It’s also a great idea to express your excitement for sunny summer days by drawing things you want to do in summer or a clear blue sky.
Even in the gloomy rainy season, creating something nice will surely brighten children’s moods!
Phone Game
Let’s make a phone and play with our curious one-year-olds.
Cut cardboard into a size that’s easy for children to hold, paste colored paper on it, and cover it with clear tape.
Then let them decorate it with their favorite stickers.
Having number stickers ready will make it feel more like a real phone.
It’s also a great idea to prepare animal pictures or similar so the children can color them and stick them on, helping them recognize which phone is theirs.
It’ll be fun to see what kinds of play the children come up with as they say “Hello?” to each other.
Balloon target game
How about a balloon target game? Prepare several inflated balloons and stick them to a wall.
Instead of using real balls, crumpled newspaper balls are recommended.
Have the kids throw those “balls” at the balloons again and again! You can write numbers on the balloons to keep score, or draw different pictures on them and have the kids aim for the balloon with a specified picture—try adding various rules to make it fun.