[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!
- [For 4-year-olds] Ideas for group games and craft activities that can be done indoors
- For 1-year-olds! Indoor play ideas that make rainy days fun
- Indoor activities that delight 2-year-olds. Enjoy the fun inside on rainy days!
- Recommended for 3-year-olds! Fun indoor activities and group game ideas
- [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
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[Childcare] Have Fun Even on Rainy Days! Indoor Play Ideas (1–10)
Balloon play
A play activity using balloons, which are often used to decorate indoor parties and events.
Children can enjoy the feel of lightly floating balloons by touching or tossing them, while also encouraging their free imagination.
It’s a good idea to make some preparations to prevent balloons from popping, such as placing them in pre-inflated bags.
There are many ways to play, like touching suspended balloons or playing peekaboo.
Why not incorporate these items, which can brighten up a rainy day indoors, into your childcare setting?
Eurhythmics (Rainy Season Version)
During the rainy season, indoor activities that get everyone excited are essential.
If you’re looking for indoor play that still captures the season, try eurhythmics with a rainy-day song theme.
Work on songs and dances inspired by pieces like “Amefuri” and “Kaeru no Gassho.” Children can enjoy a variety of movements, such as marching energetically or pretending to be animals.
They can also experience more dynamic, varied play by stopping and starting in time with the piano’s rhythm.
Why not incorporate indoor activities that combine music and movement into your childcare setting?
circuit play
Circuit play involves going around a course that combines various playground equipment.
By taking on activities that incorporate all kinds of movements, it also helps improve motor skills.
After setting up the course with a row of traffic cones, place items like a mat tunnel and mini hurdles.
It’s recommended to adjust the difficulty of the course to suit children’s developmental stages.
Kids can enjoy many types of equipment, such as lining up hula hoops for one-legged hopping or riding in a small car to move along.
By repeating laps around the course, it becomes an activity where children can learn while playing.
[Childcare] Have fun even on rainy days! Indoor play ideas (11–20)
Indoor beanbag toss
This is a variation on tamaire, a game often included as an event at school sports days.
The rule is simple: in a room where balls are scattered, players throw balls into baskets from behind a set line.
Attach illustrations showing point values to the baskets—for example, 3 points for a basket close to the line and 10 points for one farther away.
You can also try different ideas, such as chasing a person holding a basket to toss balls in, or aiming at a basket placed on top of a pole.
It’s a great activity that lets kids move their bodies a lot, even on rainy days, so give it a try.
Ice play
For indoor play, we recommend “ice play”! Just touching ice is fun and refreshing enough, but if you have time, try adding a little twist.
When you freeze water, include leaves, flowers, or small toys.
That way, children won’t just touch the ice—they can also think about how to melt it and get the items out as they play.
Be sure to choose things that are safe even if they end up in a child’s mouth!
Fishing game
This is the popular “fishing game,” great for indoor play or festival stalls! Make the sea creatures using construction paper, plastic bags, toilet paper rolls, or cups.
For the fishing rod, attach kite string to a pair of chopsticks and put a magnet on the end—done! For the sea, a blue tarp works well.
Real fishing is difficult for preschoolers, but with everyday materials they can enjoy a fun fishing game.
Give it a try and have fun making and playing!
mat exercises
This activity uses mats—often strongly associated with cushioning during exercise—as tools for play.
Through games that involve moving heavy mats, participants can also enjoy the experience of working together.
Let them feel the weight of the mats in various ways, such as games where they tug mats against each other or compete to flip them over as quickly as possible.
The fewer people there are, the more strength is needed to move a mat, which not only helps them sense the weight but also appreciate the importance of cooperation.
