[Childcare] May Activities: Spring Outdoor & Indoor Play
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 / Physical Play] Fun Activities to Get Moving
- [Childcare] Games and performances that liven up Children's Day
- [Childcare] Feel May! A special feature of fun craft ideas to make
- [May] Have Fun with 3-Year-Olds! Craft Ideas Perfect for May
- [Childcare] Recommended games to play in the warm month of April
- Ideas for indoor activities, games, and group play that 5-year-olds enjoy
- [Childcare] DIY Ideas for Circuit Play
- [Childcare] A collection of quizzes related to May! Let's think about them together with the children.
- [Childcare] Play Right Now! Recommended No-Prep Games
- [Autumn] Seasonal play ideas to incorporate into childcare: Let’s connect with nature both outdoors and indoors
- Indoor games and recreational activities recommended for daycare and kindergarten
- [Childcare] May events and activities at nursery schools and kindergartens
- [Childcare] Fun Spring Activities: Ideas for Nature, Movement, and Crafts
[Childcare] May Activities: Spring Outdoor & Indoor Play (21–30)
Popular song medley in May
Let’s create a Singing Day where everyone gets excited with their favorite songs! I’ll introduce a popular May song medley.
Don’t children get familiar with various nursery rhymes at the preschool every day? If you ask each child, “What’s your favorite song?”, you’ll probably hear a wide variety.
Let’s also mix in songs from popular anime and movies to make Singing Day even more fun! It would be wonderful to make handmade microphones and costumes, too.
The charm is that everyone can enjoy it freely in a relaxed, open atmosphere!
Eurhythmics play
Let’s have fun moving our bodies with hula hoops! Here are some ideas for rhythmic play.
Sports day and school performances are great chances to showcase everyday activities, which makes both parents and children happy! How about holding a Eurhythmics recital that makes use of the rhythmic play the children already enjoy? By moving joyfully with hula hoops, children can not only develop a sense of rhythm but also improve their concentration and endurance.
Learning through play can help foster a positive image of music and physical activity!
Spring Birdwatching
When spring comes, you’ll spot birds more often on your walks.
Many kids can’t help but wonder, “What kind of bird is that?” when they hear birdsong.
As the weather warms up and the skies are clear, why not go out and look for wild birds on a walk? Birds gather not only in nature-rich areas but surprisingly often in city parks, too.
In spring, migratory birds come to Japan to lay eggs and raise their young.
If you happen to see them building nests, consider yourself lucky.
Let’s help children discover that, beyond the birds they usually see, there are many different kinds out there.
from top and bottom
Ue kara Shita kara is a traditional children’s song you can sing and play while shaking a cloth up and down.
It’s a game that can be enjoyed from many angles—sending breezes, touching the fabric, and more.
Gently draping a thin, soft cloth over the children can elicit all kinds of reactions.
It’s perfect for livening up indoor play in May when it’s raining and you can’t go outside.
Taking turns covering each other with the cloth and calling out to one another also creates opportunities for communication.
Why not incorporate this springtime-appropriate activity into your childcare setting?
one bamboo shoot
A game themed around bamboo shoots, a spring seasonal ingredient: “Takenoko Ippon” (One Bamboo Shoot).
Players split into an Oni (the puller) who “pulls out” the bamboo shoots, and the bamboo shoots themselves.
The game starts with the Oni’s chant.
In response to the lyrics, “Give me XX bamboo shoots,” the players acting as bamboo shoots react.
If the Oni manages to pull someone out from the line, they bring that person back to their side.
Kids can enjoy a variety of full-body movements—clinging to teachers or friends, being carried, and more.
Give this unique game a try; it’s fun both indoors and outdoors.
inverse signal
Opposite Signal is a game where you move in the opposite way of the caller’s instructions.
It’s an activity you can enjoy anywhere, from indoors to outdoors, with no preparation needed.
The caller gives prompts like “Run” or “Sit.” Everyone present should walk when told to run, and stand when told to sit.
Anyone who makes a mistake sits down and cheers on the remaining players.
While moving your body and playing, it also serves as training to develop judgment and thinking skills.
Give this game a try—it’s perfect for the warm, pleasant days of spring.
Eurhythmics (Rainy Season Version)
As the rainy season begins in late May, indoor activities that get everyone excited are a must.
One indoor activity that still lets you feel the spring season is eurhythmics with a rainy-day song theme.
Try songs and dances inspired by pieces like “Amefuri (Rainfall)” and “Kaeru no Gasshō (Frog Chorus).” Children can enjoy a variety of movements, such as marching energetically or pretending to be animals.
They can also experience a game with clear contrasts by stopping and starting in time with the rhythm of the piano.
Why not incorporate indoor play that combines music and movement into your childcare setting?