[Entertainment/Performances] Ideas for Performances to Introduce at Kindergartens and Nursery Schools—Great for Children and Staff
At kindergartens and nursery schools, there are often opportunities to include entertainment and performances for fun.
Many teachers are probably wondering what kinds of activities they can plan for the children.
This time, we’ve gathered ideas that are perfect for such entertainment and performances.
From activities that children can take the lead in and enjoy themselves to ideas that teachers and parents can perform for the kids, we’re introducing a wide range.
If your ideas have become repetitive and you’re looking for something new…
Please use this as a reference.
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[Entertainment/Performances] Ideas for Activities to Use in Kindergartens and Daycare Centers! Performances for Children and Staff (21–30)
finger tap
“Finger Tap” is a performance where buttons are attached to the fingertips of gloves, and you tap button against button—or against a desk, the floor, and so on—to create rhythms.
It’s very simple, but doing it with several people adds impact, and watching the coordinated hand movements makes it even more enjoyable.
Try not only tapping but also adding simple choreography when you perform.
For song choices, children’s nursery rhymes and anime themes are recommended.
It’s great as an act for adults, but with simple songs and choreography, even kindergarteners in the middle and senior classes can give it a try.
Sushi Picnic
“Sushi Picnic,” a song featured on NHK’s program “Okaasan to Issho.” How about dressing up and dancing to it? Become a nori roll or a gunkan-maki, and dance while holding or balancing toppings like salmon roe or natto.
For nigiri, the topping goes on the back.
The song is adorable, and best of all, the kids get excited calling out the names of different sushi.
They’ll be thrilled to see a different side of their teachers than usual, too.
[Entertainment/Performances] Ideas for acts to include at kindergartens and nursery schools! Performance ideas for children and staff (31–40)
Song & Dance ‘Karada☆Dandan’
This is the exercise song from E-TV’s children’s program “Okaasan to Issho.” In April 2019, when the new exercise leaders Makoto Oniisan and Azuki Oneesan joined the show, this song “Karada☆Dandan” began.
Kids love the big, energetic movements! Many children probably danced to this song at home, too.
The moves and rhythm are fun, so let’s all dance and get our bodies moving.
Since many parents also know this routine, it’s recommended for parent-participation events as well.
[Magic] The Mysterious Paper Bag
![[Magic] The Mysterious Paper Bag](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/dhYfMqLG3Wk/sddefault.jpg)
Magic that makes communicating with children fun! Here’s a mysterious paper bag idea.
How about putting on a curious and delightful act that makes it look like the teacher has turned into a magician? Put a card with an apple illustration into a paper bag, do a countdown, and then—surprise!—a real apple appears from the bag.
The children will be fascinated by the magic and the teacher’s movements.
You can almost hear them asking, “How did you make the apple appear?”
Rock-Paper-Scissors Train
A perfect game for large groups is “Rock-Paper-Scissors Train.” While singing or playing music, everyone moves around freely; when the music stops, you play rock-paper-scissors with someone nearby.
The loser lines up behind the winner, and you keep repeating this.
In the end, you’ll have a single long train with everyone in one line! It’s a game that gets even more exciting when teachers or parents join in, so it’s great for many occasions like parent-child field trips or farewell parties.
Magic ‘Surprise Flower’
A classic for party entertainment and performances: magic.
Depending on your child’s age, you’ll want something instantly understandable that makes everyone gasp.
That’s why I recommend this trick, the “Surprise Flower.” You start with a sheet of paper wrapped with a ribbon like a present.
You untie the ribbon, open the paper that’s folded in thirds, and there’s an illustration of a flower.
It looks ordinary at first, but when you fold it into thirds again and open it once more—there’s a real flower inside! The secret is that a real flower is hidden behind the drawing, and the way you fold the paper makes the back flower appear instantly.
It’s a simple trick that really gets the crowd going.
Rearrangement Quiz
How about enjoying a party game where you turn letter rearrangement into a quiz? Each person holds a sheet of poster paper with a large hiragana character on it, and everyone lines up in a way that doesn’t reveal what word it spells.
The rest of the group then tries to guess the word.
Fewer letters make it easier; more letters increase the difficulty, so gradually adding more letters builds excitement.
Since being able to read hiragana is necessary to enjoy it, this idea works well for events like farewell parties for older kindergarteners that include participation from the middle-year kids.