[Childcare] Overnight childcare ideas: from activities to games
Overnight childcare is an exciting event for children, giving them the chance to enjoy experiences they don’t usually have.
Teachers may find themselves unsure about which activities and treats to prepare.
So this time, we’ve compiled a list of ideas you’ll want to plan for an overnight stay.
These ideas can be used whether the children are staying at the nursery or going on an outing.
Weather is also a concern for overnight events.
We’re also introducing games that can be enjoyed both outdoors and indoors.
Let’s prepare exceptional experiences that will become cherished memories for the children.
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- [Children’s Club] Easy and fun indoor games. Exciting party games
- [Childcare] Have fun even on rainy days! Indoor play ideas
- [For Kids] Indoor Fun! Large-Group Recreational Activities and Games
- [Childcare] Wordplay and game ideas everyone can enjoy together
- [Nursery/Kindergarten] Water play ideas that kids will love
- Indoor games and recreational activities recommended for daycare and kindergarten
- A simple and fun co-op game that enhances teamwork
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- [Childcare] Let’s all play! A collection of recommended ideas for group play and games
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[Childcare] Overnight childcare ideas: From activities to games (21–30)
Copycat Animals
Here’s a copycat animal game that kids of different ages can enjoy while moving their bodies.
Along with a piano melody, the teacher says the name of an animal and imitates it.
The children enjoy moving like the animal in their own way, at a level that suits their age.
You might even see the younger children copying the movements of the older ones.
It could also be fun to ask the children what animals they can think of as you go along.
This copycat animal play is a great way to get kids moving indoors—give it a try!
Mimic Animal Rock-Paper-Scissors
Here’s a game called “Copycat Animal Rock-Paper-Scissors” that helps children of different ages interact and become friends.
At the cue, “Copycat animal, rock-paper-scissors—go!” everyone strikes an animal pose.
If both partners choose the same animal pose, they earn 1 point; if they choose different poses, they spin around once on the spot.
It’s recommended that teachers and children decide the set of animal poses in advance.
You may see older children teaching the animal poses to younger ones.
Come up with lots of pose variations and have fun!
Mimic Rhythm Play
Here’s a follow-the-leader rhythm activity you can enjoy while copying movements.
As you hum the rhythm, the teacher demonstrates by clapping hands and gently tapping their own head or arms.
After watching the teacher’s example, the children play along with the rhythm by copying the movements they’ve learned.
During this time, the teacher should also move together with the children to serve as a model.
Younger children can participate within their abilities.
Older children, once they’re used to it, should try making their expressions bigger and more exaggerated.
Have fun by adjusting the tempo as you go.
Animal Role-Playing Game
Here’s a pretend-play animal game that builds expressive skills.
The teacher tells the children the name of the animal they should transform into.
When the teacher hits the drum once, the children turn into that animal.
There are no set movements, so encourage the children to freely and boldly express the animal’s movements as they imagine them.
When the teacher hits the drum twice, they return to being human.
Repeat this pattern and have everyone enjoy fully becoming the animals.
Listen carefully to the sound of the drum, transform into different animals, and have fun moving your bodies together across mixed age groups.
Target practice with a candy box
Let’s make and play! Here are some ideas for a target-shooting game using candy boxes.
Target games are one of those corners that really excite kids, right? This time, let’s try making one with candy boxes.
You’ll need empty candy boxes, a stapler, rubber bands, and double-sided tape or regular tape.
It seems you can even make a rubber band gun and a festival-style headband out of empty candy boxes, so give it a try! For the targets, just line up the candy boxes and assign point values to each—easy to set up and play.
string lottery
Let’s create an exciting, heart-pounding corner! Here are some ideas for a string lottery.
Raffles get both kids and adults excited, don’t they? This time, let’s make a festival-style string raffle.
You’ll need cardboard, twine, a screwdriver, a utility knife or scissors, origami or construction paper, masking tape, a bold marker, stickers, toilet paper rolls, clothespins, and prizes.
If you bundle the twine and thread it through the inside of the toilet paper roll in advance, it seems to help prevent the strings from getting tangled!
Roulette
Make it with paper plates! Here are some roulette ideas.
How about making a roulette and a sugoroku board to enjoy mini games? You will need paper plates, plastic bottle caps, construction paper, origami paper, paper cups, round stickers, pens, tape, scissors, glue, and so on.
You can finish it colorfully using construction paper and origami in your favorite colors, so have fun while making it.
It also sounds fun to complete it together with children in the senior kindergarten class or the toddler class!