[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
- 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 (11–20)
Agar play
Let’s encourage free play with the prepared agar gel and, through steps like transferring it between containers, let children experience its unique texture.
We’ll nurture their sense of touch—one of the five senses—by valuing both the distinctive feel of agar when handled directly and the changes in sensation when using tools.
While imagining the final result, let them freely enjoy experimenting, such as seeing what happens when they mix different colors of agar.
If there’s a risk they might put it in their mouth, we recommend placing the agar in a bag so they can safely enjoy the tactile experience with their hands.
Playing musical instruments
This is an activity where children can experience how musical instruments make sounds.
Prepare instruments that produce sound with simple actions, such as tambourines and castanets.
It’s also recommended to play along to songs based on nursery rhymes and keep the rhythm with the instruments.
You can include elements of eurhythmics and incorporate movement activities set to music.
This activity helps children become interested in making sounds and conveys the joy of expressing together as a group.
Showcase the teacher’s piano or guitar performance as well, and liven up indoor time on rainy days.
Balloon Play
Balloons floating softly in the air are very safe, so kids can play with them with peace of mind.
Here are some indoor games using balloons.
The “keep it off the floor” game naturally encourages kids to cooperate, calling out to each other to keep the balloon from touching the floor and getting excited together.
In the balloon passing game, form groups of about six and split into teams.
Enjoy sending the balloon from front to back, or passing it under the knees.
The team that can pass the balloon the fastest wins.
You can also stick a strip of plastic tape across the middle of the room and enjoy balloon volleyball or soccer.
Please choose and enjoy games suited to the children’s ages.
Creative play with colored water and droppers
This is an art activity where you drip colored water onto washi paper using a dropper.
We recommend using a stronger type of washi than regular calligraphy paper.
It’s helpful to prepare a backing board in advance by wrapping a piece of cardboard with plastic.
Put paint in an egg carton, then use the dropper to drip the paint onto the washi paper.
Fold it into a size that’s easy for children to hold, then unfold it to finish! You can fold the paper into a square or a triangle—either is fine.
Some children may feel uneasy about the colors mixing, so show them a sample and reassure them by saying, “It’s okay if the colors mix!”
Pool cue air cannon
Let me introduce an air cannon made from a pool noodle that you can complete in no time.
Prepare a pool noodle, a balloon, a pom-pom ball, and vinyl tape, and let’s get started.
Cut the pool noodle, tie a knot at the mouth of the balloon, and then cut the top part of the balloon horizontally with scissors, leaving more material on the bottom section.
Fit the cut balloon onto the end of the pool noodle and secure it firmly with vinyl tape so it won’t come off—now it’s ready.
To launch, place a pom-pom ball inside and pull back on the balloon section, then aim upward and release.
The steps are simple, so it’s also recommended for busy teachers.
Pool cue keychain
@sayacky_be.child I put all the materials and tips together here 👇🏻 (Follow before you forget ▶︎ @sayacky_be.child) ▫️Materials▫️ ・Pool noodles (Yellow is recommended! Seria) ・Lacquer spray (Brown! DAISO) *I also tried beige and white, but sorry 🙏🏻 ・White glue sticks (DAISO) ・Rhinestone stickers, etc. (Mine are from Seria) ┈┈┈┈┈Keychain materials from here┈┈┈┈┈ ・Mini fork (Mine is from Seria) ・Clear glue sticks (DAISO, Seria) ・Jump rings (Mine are from Seria) ・Keychain hardware (Mine is from Seria) ・Any decorations you like ▫️Tools, etc.▫️ ・Utility knife & cutting mat ・Scissors ・Empty Chip Star can (if you have one!) ・Hot glue gun (craft store, hardware store, also at DAISO) ・Cardboard box (to protect surroundings when spraying) ・Rubber gloves (to protect hands when spraying) ┈┈┈┈┈Keychain tools from here┈┈┈┈┈ ・Awl or ice pick ・Something to heat with, like a lighter ・Cork board (as a base for making holes) ・Pliers, etc. (if you have them) ▫️Tips▫️ ⚠️Read the usage precautions on the back of the lacquer spray carefully and use it outdoors, away from fire, with an adult! ・The pool noodle texture looks so real★ If adults do the prep and spraying, the kids can decorate however they like and use them for pretend play ♡ ・You can use glue mixed with paint instead of a glue gun ◎ It may just take longer to dry. ・I put mine in Madeleine paper cups (Seria), and set them on a tray (Seria) and wire grid (Seria)! ⋆┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈⋆ Nice to meet you! “Let’s be kids together♪” I’m Sayacky, a nursery teacher and mom of two ♡ I share play ideas that make both kids and former kids feel excited—together! Please follow me☆ @sayacky_be.child ▲See other posts here ໒꒱ ⋆┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈⋆#Sayakki-World#HandmadeToys#Childcare CraftingCraft Play#Childcare topic#AtHomePlay#StayHomeTime#100-yen shop DIYSimple craftKids' crafts#DonutsKeychain making
♬ Original Song – Sayakki | New Kids’ Crafts That Adults Will Want To Try Too – Sayakki | New Kids’ Crafts That Adults Will Want To Try Too
Let me introduce a cute pool-noodle donut keychain.
Prepare a pool noodle, scissors, spray paint, a hot glue gun, white glue sticks, a small fork, and a keychain chain, then let’s get crafting.
Cut the pool noodle to the size of the donut you want.
The key is to trim off the edges to round them out and shape it nicely.
Spray it with your preferred color and let it dry.
For a 3D effect, use the hot glue gun to drizzle glue over the dried donut base like chocolate sauce.
Sprinkle on beads or other toppings, insert a small fork and secure it with adhesive, attach the keychain chain, and you’re done!
[Childcare] Have fun even on rainy days! Indoor play ideas (21–30)
caterpillar fishing
This is a “caterpillar fishing” game you can make with pool noodles! First, cut the pool noodle into 8 cm-wide pieces.
A template makes it easier! Cut about 10 pieces, arrange them to balance your little “houses,” and glue them together.
Next, make a base out of cardboard.
Attach the pool noodle houses to the base, then make caterpillars using pom-poms and pipe cleaners.
Finally, put a magnet inside a pen cap.
Place the caterpillars inside the houses, and slowly bring the magnet in the cap close to the pipe cleaner—your caterpillar will get “caught”! You can also flip the setup and compete against each other, so get creative and have fun playing!