[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 (21–30)
chimney game
Let’s do our best not to lose to the chimney sweeper! Here’s an idea for a chimney game.
This is a unique game that uses balls and mats.
If your center doesn’t have mats, connected cardboard pieces will also work.
A teacher, transformed into a chimney sweeper, goes inside the chimney.
The children try to toss balls into the chimney so they won’t lose to the sweeper.
They can build skills by making strategies and watching for moments when the teacher lets their guard down.
Give it a try! If you have a large group, a key tip is to prepare more balls than the number of participants.
The pill bug fell over!
If you look carefully in parks and plazas, you can find pill bugs.
The way they curl up into a little ball when you touch them is amusing, and they’re a familiar insect that children know well.
Let’s play by imitating those pill bugs.
It’s a game you can play indoors even when it’s raining.
Since you sit and roll over, it’s also easy to incorporate as an indoor activity.
There are lots of fun motions: flapping arms and legs and rolling in time with a teacher’s or adult’s cue, doing finger plays, or crawling.
Let’s all become pill bugs together with your friends.
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!
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!
Indoor game with pool stick rackets
This is a pool noodle racket game that kids and adults can enjoy! First, bend a halved pool noodle into a ring and secure it with tape.
Next, wrap plastic wrap across it in a cross pattern three times, and you’ve got a clear racket! It’s fun to play solo with a balloon, but making another racket to play with a few people sounds great too.
Raising your head and lifting your arms in a “hands up” position is said to help strengthen your back muscles.
Because it’s very light, it’s safe for toddlers to play with.
It’s recommended for both outdoor and indoor play!
Versatile item! Indoor play with a pool cue
Here are some indoor play ideas using versatile pool noodles.
These easy-to-find pool noodles are great because kids can play with them safely.
While seated, you can make a slope with your knees and roll a pool noodle from the top—watching it pick up speed is lots of fun.
You can also try different activities, like crawling through a bent pool noodle, or moving just before a noodle falls (like the game “stick drop”) to catch it.
The variety of ways to play is a big attraction.
Since they’re made of soft material, they won’t hurt if they bump into the body, making for safe, enjoyable play.