Handkerchief and Towel Play! A Collection of Fun Play Ideas
Here are some fun ideas for playing with towels and handkerchiefs you can find in preschools and kindergartens! In addition to the classic “Handkerchief Drop,” we’ve packed in lots of playful ideas, from games using handkerchiefs to exercises using towels.
The activities are designed so teachers can join in and have fun too, so be sure to try them with the children! Because the rules are simple, the games can get exciting—and you can also raise the difficulty for a challenge.
Feel free to adapt the activities to suit the children’s ages and interests.
Handkerchief and Towel Play! A Collection of Fun Play Ideas (1–10)
So sleepy, so sleepy.Sukampo / Keropons
Who could be hiding under the handkerchief? Let us introduce Sukampo and Keropons’ letter-handkerchief play song “O-Nemu Nemu.” You’ve played hide-and-seek before, right? In this play song, you wake up the sleepy friend hiding under the handkerchief and find out who it is—that’s the fun of it.
The children’s excited faces as they wait for the handkerchief to be lifted are adorable, so we recommend it.
Be sure to try playing it together!
Towel Grab Race
https://www.tiktok.com/@omiyamichinoko/video/7380344755424644353Let’s put your hearing, reflexes, and quickness to the test! Here’s an idea for a fast towel-grab game.
All you need is one face towel.
The rules are simple: two players stand back-to-back with their feet shoulder-width apart.
Place the face towel between their feet, and when the signal sounds, quickly pull the towel.
The key is to listen carefully for the signal and reach out instantly! It’s fun to set up a class tournament, too.
It could be exciting to challenge parents or teachers as well!
Human disentanglement game with towels
Let’s work together to escape! Here’s a towel-based human entanglement puzzle.
Some kids have probably played disentanglement puzzles at home or in public spaces.
In this version, you become the loops yourselves and try to break free.
Use both your head and your body as you take on the challenge! Whether you solve it quickly or take your time, this human puzzle is sure to make you chuckle.
Once you get the hang of it, try adding more people for extra fun! To start, teachers or guardians can give hints while you play.
Balance game with a towel
Compete with your core! Here’s a balance game idea using towels.
All you need is one face towel per participant.
First, everyone grabs their face towel, forms a circle, and lifts one foot.
At the start signal, pull and loosen the towels to try to throw off everyone else’s balance.
If both feet touch the ground, you’re out—so hold your ground and balance on one leg! Who will be the last one standing? Give it a try!
Towel Gather Game
https://www.tiktok.com/@miyako.miyakururu/video/7313453972637977858Let’s play using only your toes! Here’s a fun towel-scrunch game.
All you need is a face towel.
How to play: Sit down, bend your legs, and keep your heels on the floor.
Place the face towel under your feet and use your toes to scrunch and pull the towel toward you.
If a face towel is too long and difficult, you can start with a hand towel instead.
We don’t often pay much attention to our toes, but move them well and enjoy using your body! It’s a game that will warm you up even on cold winter days.
Swaying play with a towel
It’s just like riding in a hammock! Here’s a fun swaying game you can play with a towel.
All you need is a bath towel.
How to play: have the child lie down on the towel while two adults hold the ends and gently sway it.
The strange sensation of lying in a “hammock” will make kids’ hearts race with excitement.
Some children may feel nervous about when they’ll be set down, so when lowering the towel to the floor, do a countdown and set them down slowly.
This is a great option when you want to enjoy a different kind of play indoors.
Handkerchief rock-paper-scissors
Heart-pounding excitement that won’t stop! Here’s an idea for Handkerchief Rock-Paper-Scissors.
All you need is a handkerchief.
This game can be played by two people or a large group, so it’s perfect for quick recreational moments.
The rules are the same as regular rock-paper-scissors, but one person makes rock, paper, or scissors inside the handkerchief.
You can almost see it—but not quite! You feel like you might win, and it’s thrilling! That’s the fun of Handkerchief Rock-Paper-Scissors.
Give it a try and play together!
Drop the Handkerchief
A traditional game loved for generations! Let’s introduce “Drop the Handkerchief.” All you need is a handkerchief.
How to play: Choose one child to be “It” and give them the handkerchief.
The other children sit in a circle facing inward.
It’s good if they close their eyes at this time.
“It” walks around the outside of the circle and drops the handkerchief.
The child who has the handkerchief dropped behind them chases “It” and tries to tag them.
If “It” is tagged, they remain “It” for another round; if not, the person holding the handkerchief becomes the new “It.”
Animals made with hand towels
A flat hand towel transforms into a three-dimensional animal! Here are some animal ideas you can make with a hand towel.
All you need is a hand towel.
It could be fun to change the towel’s color to match the animal! With this idea, your hand towel turns into a bear, a bunny, and an elephant.
You can also enjoy customizing them by using rubber bands or adding ribbons, so try making them and playing with your child.
The steps may feel a bit complicated at first, so it’s best to work together with a teacher or a guardian.
Towel Run-Run ExerciseToshihiko Niizawa
Let’s have fun dancing with a towel! We’d like to introduce Toshihiko Shinzawa’s “Towel Run-Run Exercise.” All you need is a face towel.
This routine is great because you can loosen up your body while dancing with the towel.
It looks perfect as a warm-up, with twists and backbends.
In the second half, there are playful elements like rolling up the towel and swaying it, which makes it really fun! You’ll probably find yourself smiling as you play.
Come on, give it a try and dance along!