Lovely childcare

Let’s enjoy summer-only fun! Cool and refreshing play ideas

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
9 years of experience as a nursery school teacherShibata Risa
I am an active nursery school teacher with 9 years of experience. After graduating from university, I worked at a daycare center. The time I spent happily with children—playing piano, singing songs, and doing finger-play—are priceless memories to me. Currently, while raising three children of my own, I work at an after-school day service, engaging with children and providing individualized developmental support. Drawing on my diverse experiences as a childcare worker and as a mother, I hope to express and convey my thoughts through writing.

In the hot summer, many teachers are surely thinking, “I want to have fun with the children through cool activities!” So here are some ideas to enjoy summer-specific play.

There are classics like water gun games to enjoy with friends, as well as sensory play using mud, foam, and ice.

Hands-on experiences nurture children’s curiosity, so these are highly recommended.

There are also activities children love—like bath bombs and slime—that can be done both outdoors and indoors, so be sure to incorporate them into your childcare.

Stimulate the children’s five senses and enjoy the summer to the fullest!

Let’s enjoy summer-only fun! Cool and refreshing play ideas (11–20)

Let’s try making our favorite ice.

[For 3-year-olds] Let's make your favorite ice!

Let's try making our favorite ice.

Your very own special item! Here are some ideas for making your favorite ice.

The cool, chilly feel of ice is exciting for children, isn’t it? This time, let’s create special ice packed with your favorite things.

You’ll need an ice tray, a plastic bottle, paints, and items like grass, flowers, twigs, and nuts.

Put the treasures you find on a walk—such as grass and flowers—into the ice tray and freeze them together with colored water.

The children’s sparkling, glowing expressions will be unforgettable.

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Eurhythmics with Water Play

[Summer Eurhythmics: Water Play de Eurhythmics] Scarf play, hoop play, pretend play—let’s enjoy classic summer water play with the children! ✨ Parent–child eurhythmics, rhythm play

Eurhythmics with Water Play

Let’s have fun with expressions that feel like playing with water using props! Here are some ideas for “Rhythmic Water Play.” Eurythmics is a music education method that develops expressive skills by moving the body to music.

The charm isn’t just in moving to the music—it’s also in using items to express yourself.

This time, let’s try creating the feeling of water play indoors by using things like hula hoops and organza.

Through pretend play, children might notice subtle nuances within everyday movements.

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Ice painting with your favorite color of paint

Age 4: Four-Year-Old Class — Ice Play♪

Ice painting with your favorite color of paint

Discoveries are so much fun! Here’s an idea for ice painting using your favorite paint colors.

There are activities you can enjoy precisely because it’s a hot summer.

This time, let’s focus on ice and enjoy drawing with the kids.

You’ll need a tray, paint, water, and a container such as a milk carton.

The process of children mixing paints to create their favorite colors is filled with excitement and anticipation.

And the unique idea of freezing water mixed with paint and using it to draw will become a special summer memory.

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Ice excavation game

Also great for bath time! Excavation play with ice

Ice excavation game

Experience an exciting play activity! Here are some ideas for ice excavation play.

Kids love new challenges and discoveries.

Create memories with play that stimulates their curiosity and spirit of exploration.

You’ll need an ice tray, small toys, water, and more.

Place bouncy balls or toys that fit into the ice tray, pour in water, and freeze.

Once you take out the ice, you’ll see the kids become absorbed in trying to extract the toys inside!

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Summer at-home activities using dry ice

http://www.lemon8-app.com

It’s like magic! Here are some ideas for summer at-home play using dry ice.

The bubbling white “smoke” from dry ice is fascinating for kids, isn’t it? This time, let’s try playing with dry ice.

You’ll need a cup filled with water, dry ice, bubble solution, straws, and so on.

If you blow bubbles onto the cup with dry ice in it, it’s fun to watch the foamy bubbles puff up and expand! When using dry ice, be sure to ventilate well and avoid touching the dry ice directly.

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