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[Childcare] Enjoy March! A collection of ideas for event-related activities and nature play

[Childcare] Enjoy March! A collection of ideas for event-related activities and nature play

Last updated:2025/3/3

20 years of experience as a nursery teacher / kindergarten teacherhiyoko sensei
I’m Hiyoko-sensei, a former nursery school teacher from Hyogo Prefecture. Ever since I was five, my dream was to become a childcare worker, and before I knew it, 20 years had passed since I achieved that dream. Through singing and playing with the children, I kept working with the spirit of someone in their twenties, even as I increasingly felt my physical limits year by year (haha). From here on, I’d like to share helpful information carefully and thoughtfully, drawing on my on-site experience.
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 March, the number of pleasantly warm, comfortable days increases, and both children and adults feel more cheerful, don’t they?

This time, we’re introducing play ideas perfect for March that let you sense the arrival of spring!

Focusing on activities related to events held in March—such as Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Day) and kindergarten graduation ceremonies—we’ve assembled a wide range of games you can enjoy both indoors and outdoors.

We’re also sharing plenty of activities that deepen interest in creatures and plants unique to March.

Spend a fun time with the children while feeling the arrival of spring together.

[Childcare] Enjoy March! A collection of ideas for event-related play and nature play (1–10)

[Children’s Song] The Bush Warbler’s Valley Crossing

Spring Children’s Song: “The Bush Warbler Crossing the Valley” – Cloth Play / Movement Play

[Children’s Song] The Bush Warbler’s Valley Crossing

Feel the arrival of spring with a traditional children’s song! Here are playful ideas to enjoy while humming “Uguisu no Taniwatari” (The Bush Warbler Crossing the Valley).

First activity: sit facing the children.

Pretend a handkerchief or a piece of organza fabric is a little bush warbler, and have it ‘walk’ across the tops of the children’s heads.

The child where the warbler comes to rest won’t be able to help but smile! Second activity: teachers or guardians hold hands to make a tunnel, and the children pass through it.

If someone stops inside the tunnel, switch roles and keep playing! This nursery rhyme is also great for infants.

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Cut-out scenery play

[For spring outdoor play!] Let’s look for spring♪ Cut-out scenery play 🌷 #PreschoolCrafts #NurseryTeacher #TeachingIdeas #WithKids #ConstructionPaper #Spring #Shorts #OutdoorPlay

Cut-out scenery play

Perfect for spring outdoor play! Here’s an idea for cutout scenery play.

You’ll need construction paper or cardstock, scissors, and a pencil.

In spring, the green leaves and colorful flowers are beautiful, aren’t they? How about cutting out that scenery and playing with it? Fold the cardstock and sketch shapes like leaves or houses.

Cut along the lines to complete your very own cards! You can make a house with a floral pattern or a leaf with a sky pattern.

You can freely arrange the card motifs, so try brainstorming with the kids!

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Sakura sensory bottle

Spring “sensory play”: a cherry blossom sensory bottle #cherryblossom #babytoys #sensoryplay #hanami #shorts #sensoryplay #educational #kids

Sakura sensory bottle

In March, there are regions where cherry blossoms start to bloom, right? Blossoms on the trees are beautiful, of course, but the petals scattered on the ground are so pretty that you can’t help picking them up—many kids probably do the same.

So let me introduce this “Sakura Sensory Bottle”! Prepare a clear bottle with a lid, put cherry blossom petals inside, and pour in water.

Tighten the lid firmly so it doesn’t leak, and you’re done! When you flip the bottle upside down, the petals float and drift gently—it looks so beautiful.

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Let’s pick horsetails!

In mid-March, spring wild plant horsetail shoots (tsukushi) were sprouting♪ I made a tsukushi dish [tsukushi rice]. The prep is surprisingly simple—just remove the husks and wash them.

Let's pick horsetails!

When March comes around, you sometimes spot horsetails sprouting along embankments and the like.

Since horsetails often appear as a symbol of springtime plants, I think children are quite familiar with them.

It’s a classic little game to pinch the stem at the jointed “hakama” section, pull it apart, put it back together, and ask, “Where did it break?” Horsetails are also known as a taste of spring.

You can enjoy them in various dishes such as tsukudani (soy-simmered) or tempura, so after you’ve had fun gathering horsetails, be sure to try their flavor too.

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[Hinamatsuri] Hishimochi Stacking Game

Make it with items you already have at preschool or home! Here’s a recommended diamond rice cake stacking game for Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Day).

Hishimochi are distinctive diamond-shaped rice cakes in three colors: pink, green, and white.

Why not try making them with thick paper or cardboard? In this game, you stack hishimochi made from cardstock onto a base made from cardboard and toilet paper rolls.

If you add more size variations, keeping the balance becomes even trickier—and more fun! Give it a try and have fun playing.

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[Hinamatsuri] Hina Arare Tree Game

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Enjoy a heart-pounding game for Hinamatsuri! Here’s an idea for a Hina-arare Tree Game.

Once you’ve wrapped double-sided tape around a pool noodle in a spiral, you’re ready to go! One by one, stick colored balls—pretending they’re hina-arare—onto the pool noodle “tree.” If the balance tips, the tree will fall, so have fun playing while enjoying the suspense! Once you get the hang of it, it could be fun to specify the number or colors of the balls.

Give it a try!

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[Hinamatsuri] Hina Arare Relay

If you’re looking for a game to enjoy during Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Day), why not try the “Hina Arare Relay”? In this game, you carry hina-arare made by crumpling tissue paper and transport them in a box.

Because tissue paper is so light, if you try to run, it will quickly fly off somewhere.

Try to hurry while carefully making sure the hina-arare don’t fall.

To help the children feel the Hinamatsuri spirit even more, you could make head ornaments like those worn by the Empress (Ohinasama) and the Emperor (Odairisama), and use them as a baton by wearing them on the head.

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