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 (21–30)

Glove puppet fingerplay “Little Bird’s Song”

May glove puppet fingerplay “Kotori no Uta” with lyrics

Glove puppet fingerplay “Little Bird’s Song”

This is a fingerplay with glove puppets themed around little birds that herald the arrival of spring.

Sew small bird figures and attach them to your fingers, then perform a song while moving each finger.

Match the rhythm of the song “Kotori no Uta” to express the birds chirping.

It’s also a great idea to add spring-themed decorations like cherry blossoms and dandelions.

This fingerplay lets you enjoy singing while also giving your fingertips a dexterity workout.

Why not make puppets modeled on small birds you see in spring—such as Japanese white-eyes, brown-eared bulbuls, or swallows—and give it a try?

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Hand game ‘The Hill Where Mandarin Blossoms’

May hand play activity: 'Mikan no Hana Saku Oka' with lyrics

Hand game 'The Hill Where Mandarin Blossoms'

Mikan no Hana Saku Oka, cherished as one of Japan’s representative children’s songs.

Why not try a hand play activity themed on this warm song that encouraged Japan after the war? While singing lyrics that depict rich natural scenery, face each other and perform the hand play.

The choreography features a variety of movements using both hands.

Move your hands calmly to the slow, triple-meter rhythm.

Once you get used to it, gradually increase the speed of the hand play—that’s the key.

Try incorporating this song, which portrays a cherished relationship, into springtime early childhood settings.

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[Childcare] May Activities: Spring Outdoor & Indoor Play (31–40)

Let’s have fun searching for spring wildflowers

Let's play with nature! Spring wildflowers (1)

Let's have fun searching for spring wildflowers

When spring comes, we tend to find more small, cute flowers along the roadside.

Dandelions, white clover, and fleabane are typical examples, but there are also edible plants like horsetail and mugwort.

Why not head outside to look for these spring plants? Dandelions are familiar to children, but did you know there are two kinds—Japanese and foreign varieties? You can apparently tell the difference by looking at the underside of the flower.

It also sounds fun to make rings out of dandelions or flower crowns from white clover.

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Colored water play

[At-Home Play] Preschool teacher-recommended indoor color-water play. Learn about color-water activities before the rainy season starts and enjoy them with your child.

Colored water play

This is a colored water play activity using thin, soft tissue paper.

It’s a great indoor activity, especially around the end of May when the rainy season begins.

First, tear the colorful tissue paper you’ve prepared.

Let the children experience the feel and sound of tearing.

Next, put the torn tissue paper and water into an empty plastic bottle.

When the color from the tissue paper dissolves and tints the water, it’s done.

It’s also fun to mix the colored waters to create new colors.

Give this soothing activity a try and enjoy the vivid hues.

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Word play game

[5-year-olds] Let’s all work together to search! Word play

Word play game

This is a word game that children can play cooperatively with friends at kindergarten or daycare.

Divide the children into several teams and have each team set a target word.

Arrange the Japanese syllabary (gojūon) around the room or gym, and the teams build their chosen word from those characters.

It helps children read and remember hiragana while putting their teamwork to the test.

A key point is that you can assign characters to each child so they move into position, or they can work it out together by discussing.

Try incorporating prompts like “words with a spring theme” into your childcare activities.

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Balloon play

[Balloon Play Special] Perfect for indoor activities in childcare (for ages 2–5)

Balloon play

These are balloon-based activities that are also popular as interior decorations.

1) Tape Peeling: Stick tape on a balloon and peel it off as a game.

Draw animals or cartoon characters on the tape and try to peel it without popping the balloon.

2) Aim and Hit: Tie kite string to the balloon’s knot, hang it from the ceiling, and hit it as a target.

Adjust the string length or the number of balloons so multiple people can enjoy it.

3) Paper Cone Catch: Place a balloon into a rolled piece of construction paper and play.

You can use it for competitive activities like relays or catching games.

Try these balloon activities to liven up May events and early childhood settings.

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In conclusion

May, wrapped in the pleasant warmth of spring, offers plenty of activities to enjoy both indoors and outdoors.

Through engaging activities that bring smiles to children’s faces—such as eurhythmics, traditional nursery rhymes, and movement play inspired by carp streamers—you can feel the changing seasons.

Make springtime memories by connecting with nature and having fun collaborating with friends.