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.
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Handkerchief and Towel Play! A Collection of Fun Play Ideas (1–10)
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.”
Towel Gather Game
@miyako.miyakururu It’s easy to do and gets the kids excited.#Miyakojima#MiyakojimaRelocationMiyakureru
♪ Original Song – Miyakururu @ Miyakojima – Miyakururu @ Miyakojima
Let’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.
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!
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!