Indoor games and recreational activities recommended for daycare and kindergarten
Even on days when the weather is bad and the kids can’t go outside, they still want to move their bodies and play! At times like that, many teachers and parents wonder what indoor activities to do.
Here, we introduce indoor recreational activities that can be enjoyed at nurseries and kindergartens.
You’ll find lots of ideas that kids can dive into with sparkling eyes—full-body movement games, activities everyone can enjoy together, traditional games, and sensory play.
Have fun staying active with the children, even indoors.
These are also great as references for games at events!
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Indoor Play and Recreation Games Recommended for Nurseries and Kindergartens (91–100)
Chick Sumo

People from preschoolers to adults can join! Here’s an idea for “Chick Sumo.” It’s a perfect game for training ankle flexibility while playing.
While squatting, hold your ankles and move forward.
If your hands or bottom touch the floor, you lose—simple as that.
Move carefully so you don’t lose your balance.
Once you get used to it, try battling in groups of five or six in class.
A tournament format, where the last person remaining advances, also sounds fun!
Gesture Game

Move your body to match the theme! Here are some gesture game ideas.
Gesture games are a great way to have fun while staying active indoors.
Imitate gestures based on a theme to act out animals, vehicles, everyday actions, and more! Through play, kids can develop communication skills and creativity.
Once they’re comfortable with simple gestures, try making the themes a bit more complex.
You can just picture children laughing and playing together with friends, teachers, and parents.
chimney game

Let’s work hard so we don’t lose to the chimney sweeper! Here’s an idea for a chimney-themed game.
It’s a unique game that uses balls and a mat.
If your center doesn’t have a mat, you can use connected cardboard pieces instead.
Inside the chimney, a teacher transformed into a chimney sweeper will go in.
The children will try to put balls into the chimney so they won’t lose to the sweeper.
They’ll develop their ability to strategize and be inventive by making plans and watching for the teacher’s openings.
Give it a try!
Hiragana Collection Challenge
@cocoskip Hello! This is Cocoskip. In today’s video, we’re doing a Hiragana Collection Challenge. How many words that fit the theme can we gather? 🧐#cocoskipSkip hereChild Development SupportAfter-school day service#Child Development Support (Japan)#After-school day serviceExercise Therapy#Indoor Play#CocoSkipChallengesimulationPlayHiragana PlayI love the admins.#IWantToBeOnTheRecommendations
♬ Comical lively cute sports day – SOUND BANK
Here’s a Hiragana-collecting challenge that’s fun both solo and with friends.
Spread out cards on the floor, each with a single hiragana character.
Give a prompt, then collect the hiragana cards that fit the prompt to form words.
Get a stopwatch ready and time how many minutes it takes to complete each word.
Start with just one prompt at first, then gradually increase the number of prompt words to make it more exciting.
It’s also a great game for building concentration and critical thinking, so give it a try!
cushion hula hoop
You’re only allowed to walk on the cushion strips or inside the hula hoops! Here’s a unique game.
You’ll need two hula hoops, pool noodles, scissors or a utility knife, and masking tape.
Cut the pool noodles or any cushioned material and tape them to the floor—prep done.
Use two hula hoops to make your way to the goal! When you reach the cushioned course, set down a hula hoop and walk on the cushion.
Keeping your balance is trickier than it looks, so give it a try!
Quick Towel Grab Game
@cocorurueniwa Today's activity was the quick towel-grab game 🔥 It's a game where focus and reflexes are key‼️ How did everyone do, I wonder? lol#Kokoruru Eniwa#Kokorururu SakuramachiEniwa CityAfter-school day serviceAfter-school day serviceActivityQuick Towel Grab GameDon't neglect the girl
♬ Jumbled Mix 2024 with APT – MACHO music
Sharpen your judgment and reflexes! Here’s an idea for a quick-draw towel game.
Prepare white towels and colored flags.
Pair up and sit facing each other across a table.
When the teacher raises a flag, quickly grab a towel.
Once you get used to the rules, it’s even more fun if you increase the towel colors to two or three.
While determining the color of the flag the teacher raised, search among the towels on the table for the specified color and pull it toward you.
Give it a try!
Hoop ball throwing
@omiyamichinoko♪ Classical Medley 2019 (Cover) – Pianica Magician
Hula hoops become the targets! Here’s an idea for a game where you throw balls at hula hoops.
You’ll need two hula hoops, masking tape, and small colored balls.
First, stick masking tape onto the hula hoops to create targets.
Next, throw the colored balls at the hula hoop targets.
When the balls fly just right, they’ll stick to the masking tape with a satisfying plop—it’s really fun! Competing to see how many colored balls stick should make it even more exciting.
Hoop Tag
@soramame.sensei Tag, but with hoops! Jump to the rhythm!! It’s great because even kids who aren’t good at running can enjoy it 😊Child Development SupportAfter-school day servicechildParent-child time#StayHomeTime# developmental support (ryōiku)TagHooptranslation
♬ Fun comical busy busy – SOUND BANK
Let’s play by predicting the ogre’s moves! Here’s a fun idea for a hula hoop tag game.
Prepare nine small hula hoops and an easy-to-see marker for the person who’s “it.” On the count of “1, 2, 3,” jump to move into an adjacent hula hoop! You can move the length of one hoop vertically, horizontally, or diagonally.
“It” also moves on the cue, so the key is to avoid landing in the same hoop as “it.” Predict the ogre’s movements and try to escape to the end!
centipede ogre
@yokohama_rs #Centipede Demon (Mukade Oni)RecreationChildren's Play#SportsChildcareNursery teacher / Childcare workerTechnical collegeYokohama#RizospoLet's give it a try!Agility Training
♬ original sound – [Official] Yokohama Resort & Sports College –
Move nimbly and avoid danger! Here’s an idea for a game called Centipede Tag.
You probably know there are many types of tag, like Freeze Tag and Color Tag.
Have you heard of Centipede Tag, where you work together with teammates to escape the tagger? Assign one person as the tagger, and everyone else is on the centipede team.
The centipede players place their hands on the shoulders of the person in front and stay connected without letting go.
When the last person in the centipede gets tagged, the tagger switches.
It’s tough to escape from a freely moving tagger, but by cooperating, the centipede team will build strong bonds.
Alien Repatriation Game
@asobiinlife The Ministry of Play is born! Alien deportation 👽 Let’s all work together and see how many we can send back!#asobi_in_lifePlayMinistry of Play#Yoshi Oniisan#playGo viral#LOLTrendy oneAkikusa Gakuen Junior CollegeAliensAlien Repatriation
♪ Original Song – Asobi Agency – Asobi Agency
Let’s work together with 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 carry balloon “aliens” to the goal—but cooperating with friends is absolutely required.
That’s because you play in teams of four, holding hands, and the rule is that you can’t let go! Coordinate your moves using your linked hands, heads, shoulders, or hips, and call out to sync your timing.
Work together and save the aliens!



