Lovely childcare

Fun activities with newspaper! Recreation games kids will love

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.
Nursery Teacher Mom Writertsukada moe
After working for five years at an after-school childcare club and three years at a nursery school, I began working as a freelance writer. I’m a mother of two children. Inspired by playing the flute in the school wind ensemble in elementary school, I joined a jazz club at university. I’ve also incorporated ukulele and piano performance into childcare. Playing, laughing, feeling sad, feeling frustrated—through all kinds of experiences, I want children to grow.

We’ve gathered ideas for children’s games and activities using newspapers.

Newspaper play is fun to enjoy together with kids, so it’s easy to incorporate as an indoor activity at daycare centers, kindergartens, and elementary schools.

If it’s hard to get newspapers, try using advertising flyers or unwanted letters and notices instead.

Using colored paper will give the activities a different feel.

We’ve also included games that get kids moving a lot, so they can be active even indoors!

Fun Games Using Newspaper! Recreation Activities and Games Kids Will Love (41–50)

Paper clay making

Sibling Challenge: Summer Vacation Independent Research and Crafts — Paper Clay Made from Newspaper

Paper clay making

Do you assume craft paper clay is something you have to buy at a store? In fact, you can make it yourself.

It was a classic craft in the Showa era and the method was often featured in children’s magazines.

It may be less familiar to those born in the Heisei era and later, but making your own materials and playing with clay might feel fresh and fun.

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Newspaper Catch

[Childcare] Fun Physical Activities with Newspapers [Nursery/Kindergarten]

Newspaper Catch

Shinbunshi Catch is a game where two people sit back-to-back with their hands touching the floor, and rally by sending a sheet of newspaper placed on the floor to each other.

It helps develop the ability to adjust how much force is needed to send the light newspaper to your partner, and successfully playing catch can bring a sense of accomplishment.

Children who aren’t comfortable with balls can also enjoy it easily with newspaper.

Why not let not only children but also adults experience the charm of Shinbunshi Catch together?

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A hoop you can make and play with using newspaper

@soramame.sensei
Educational toy # developmental support (ryōiku)newspaper (newsprint)Form / Shape #CapCut
♬ Kids, cute, pets, energetic background music(1101939) – nyansuke

Fun for kids and adults alike! Here are ideas for a hoop game you can make and play with newspaper.

All you need are newspapers and cards with different motifs drawn on them.

Hand a sheet of newspaper to each person, then reshape the paper according to the motif card that’s revealed—this unique game is all about transforming the newspaper.

For a round motif, link the newspaper into a circle; for a square motif, try folding it into a square.

You can crumple it, fold it, or even tear it, so the game offers a high degree of freedom.

It really sparks creativity!

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A hula hoop made from newspaper

Improve motor skills with handmade hoops!! [Hoop Jump] [Hoop Crawl]

A hula hoop made from newspaper

Here’s how to make a hula hoop out of newspaper.

Gather newspaper and tape, and let’s get started.

Spread out a sheet of newspaper and roll it tightly lengthwise.

Rolling the newspaper firmly will strengthen the base of the hula hoop and make it more durable.

Secure the roll with tape so it doesn’t loosen, and fix it in place.

Connect the rolled newspapers into a circle, and you’re done! Wrapping the finished hula hoop with vinyl tape will make it even stronger, so it lasts longer and is even more fun to play with.

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Newspaper Spiderweb Circuit

[Ages 0–5] Let’s play boldly! Use the whole room to make a spider web!

Newspaper Spiderweb Circuit

Tear it! Stick it! Crawl through and play! Here’s an idea for a newspaper spiderweb circuit.

You’ll need plastic ribbon (suzuran tape), newspaper, and tape.

This is a great idea when you want to include crawling movements in your circuit.

Some children find tunnels challenging because they’re dark and long.

By tearing and sticking newspaper as part of everyday activities, you can naturally encourage crawling movements! The making process also stimulates children’s creativity—what a wonderful idea.

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