Lovely childcare

[Childcare] May Activities: Spring Outdoor & Indoor Play

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 May, when temperatures begin to rise little by little from the warmth of spring, the fresh greenery is beautiful and it’s a season when you can spend lots of time in nature.

However, as the latter half of the month approaches the rainy season, there are more days with unstable weather, and you’ll likely spend more time indoors.

So this time, we’ll introduce activities that suit May’s climate and can be enjoyed both outdoors and indoors.

We’ve gathered a variety of May-recommended activities—from games that let kids move their bodies to their hearts’ content, to ways to savor nature, pretend play, traditional children’s songs, and even activities perfect for Children’s Day.

As children gradually get used to their new routines around this time of year, we hope you can deepen their connections with people and nature while sharing fun moments together!

[Childcare] May Activities: Spring Outdoor & Indoor Play (1–10)

Soap bubble play

[1- and 2-year-olds] Let’s play outside to our hearts’ content! Bubble play!

Soap bubble play

Wrapped in the warm, pleasant weather and with more days at comfortable temperatures, spring makes you want to head outdoors and play to your heart’s content with the kids, doesn’t it? How about incorporating bubble play into those outdoor activities? Fill a basin with plenty of bubble solution and use things like fans or hangers to enjoy making big, dynamic bubbles.

In the spring sunlight, the bubbles will likely sparkle and shine.

I can just picture the children happily running around with the bubbles.

Give it a try for some inspiration!

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Churippu sharippuchildren’s song

tulip sheriff

Churippu sharippu warabeuta

In spring, many children start a new life in a new environment.

If you’re looking for fun activities to enjoy while getting to know the friends and teachers you’ll be spending the next year with, this is a must-see.

This traditional children’s song game, “Tulip Sharip,” helps kids learn the names of their friends and teachers through play.

There are various ways to play: the child whose name is called can sit in the middle of the circle, walk around, and more.

Try incorporating it in a way that suits the children’s ages.

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Children’s Day Event

Enjoy Children’s Day with fun all day long! Here are some ideas for Children’s Day events.

What comes to mind when you think of Children’s Day? Things related to the celebration, like koi-nobori (carp streamers), kashiwa mochi (oak leaf-wrapped rice cakes), cool kabuto (samurai helmets), and chimaki (bamboo leaf-wrapped dumplings)! Let’s incorporate these into activities while having fun throughout the day.

For example, you could use paper-theater (peep shows) or panel theaters to explain the origins of displaying koi-nobori, and serve kashiwa mochi as a snack.

It could also be fun to make kabuto out of newspaper or play games using the kabuto! Give these ideas a try.

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[Childcare] May Activities: Spring Outdoor & Indoor Play (11–20)

Hoop Play: “Koinobori” (Carp Streamers)

Hoop Play Koinobori

Hoop Play: “Koinobori” (Carp Streamers)

With the arrival of the Boys’ Festival, koi nobori (carp streamers) are a popular decoration for celebrating Children’s Day.

As May begins, you’ll see them more often outdoors.

Why not try a seasonal play activity themed around koi nobori? Stack several hula hoops together, and have the children hold on with both hands.

The key is for them to lie on their stomachs to mimic the gently swaying carp streamers.

When the teacher pulls them backward, they can enjoy the sensation of their bodies starting to move.

Give this indoor activity a try to feel the coming of spring.

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Tissue Paper Flower Crafts

@hoikushisatomi
[Montessori-Style] Tissue Paper Play Roundup!!Kids will love it Nursery teacher / Childcare worker Life with children #OuchiMonte Translation #EducationalPlay Educational
Oria – niKu

Play expands with a little creativity! Here are some fun ideas for playing with tissue paper.

All you need is tissue paper in your favorite colors.

Tissue paper is light, soft, and wonderfully colorful.

While it’s often used for crafts at preschools or at home, this time let’s use it for activities.

You can throw it, tear it, crumple it, and play dynamically, or put it in a container, add water, and make a sensory bottle for a calm, soothing time.

It could also be fun to decide on the activities together with the children.

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Alien Repatriation Game

https://www.tiktok.com/@asobiinlife/video/7304249524820708609

Work together with your friends to help the aliens! Here’s an idea for an Alien Return Game.

You’ll need balloons, markers, and something to mark the start and finish lines.

In this simple game, you transport a balloon (pretending it’s an alien) to the goal—but teamwork is a must.

The rule is that teams of four must hold hands and never let go! Coordinate your timing using your joined hands, and use your heads, shoulders, or hips while calling out to each other.

Cooperate and save the aliens!

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Pull hoop play

@soramame.sensei
Super easy to set up! Perfect for cooperative play with friends, too! 🥰✨Kotoba no Kyoushitsu Soramame Kids #SoramameKids #KagoshimaRehabilitation # developmental support (ryōiku)Child Development Support After-school day service Let's play at home #Indoor Play #Indoor Play #IndoorPlay #HandmadeToys Focus Physical play (exercise)Cooperative Play
♬ The comedian’s gallop, a classic foot race song for athletic meet(1265442) – Kids Sound

Empathy is the key to victory! Here’s a fun idea for a “pull-the-hoop” game.

You’ll need a hula hoop or a ring made from newspaper, some plastic ribbon (suzuran tape), and start and finish lines.

Play in pairs: one person steps inside the hoop, and the other pulls from the goal side by tugging the ribbon attached to the hoop.

The person inside the hoop moves forward by jumping in rhythm with the hoop.

Be careful to keep your feet inside the hoop and maintain your balance.

The puller should adjust speed and strength to guide their partner to the goal.

Give it a try!

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