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)
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
@omiyamichinoko Upside-down fun! Kids and adults can enjoy it. Who will be the champion?Nursery teacher / Childcare worker#Nursery schoolTranslationTowel#UpsideDown#Omiya Michinoko Nursery School
♬ Giri Giri – KOMOREBI
Let’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.
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.
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!