Indoor games and recreational activities recommended for daycare and kindergarten

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked for 10 years as a kindergarten teacher and for 7 years as an after-school childcare instructor, then took a post as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I also engaged in activities that shared Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational play, working with many children. Afterwards, through freelance writing, planning, and editing work at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and conveying ideas. Leveraging the perspective cultivated in educational settings and my experience as an editor, I aim to deliver practical information—focusing on fields related to music and children—that values both input and output. Hobbies include instruments, singing, handcrafts, toys, drawing, traditional play, the outdoors, books, DIY, and crafts. Special skill: spinning-top tricks.
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.

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!

Indoor Fun Activities and Recreation Games Recommended for Nurseries and Kindergartens (71–80)

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

Compassion is the key to winning! Here’s a fun idea for a Pull-the-Hoop game.

Prepare a hula hoop or a ring made from newspaper, some plastic ribbon (suzuran tape), and start and goal lines.

The person moving inside the hoop should walk in step with the moving hula hoop.

Be careful to keep your feet inside the hoop and maintain your balance! The person pulling the hoop should control the speed and the amount of force to guide their teammate to the goal.

Give it a try!

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Shape Finding Game

Let’s develop discovery skills, imagination, and expressive ability! Here’s an idea for a shape-finding game.

It’s a simple yet effective game where you look for shapes in everyday life.

Start with basic shapes like circles, triangles, and squares, and once you get used to it, raise the difficulty with stars, diamonds, pentagons, and more.

This will broaden interest and make the game more fun.

Plus, drawing the shapes you find on paper helps cultivate expressive skills and creativity, which is a great bonus.

It’s a playful way to deepen shape recognition and boost the power of discovery!

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Newspaper Game

@soramame.sensei
#SoramameKids #SoramameKids #Therapy Time # developmental support (ryōiku)#HandmadeToys #Indoor Play #KagoshimaRehabilitation #StayHomeTime Let's play at home #IndoorPlay Core newspaper (newsprint)Newspaper #Nursery school　child
♬ March-style BGM ideal for athletic meet march – harryfaoki

You only need two things to prepare! Here’s an idea for a newspaper sheet game.

It’s also a great option when you have to switch activities indoors due to sudden bad weather.

With just newspaper and tape, you can start playing right away! Set up a long chain of connected newspaper sheets under a chair.

While sitting on the chair, move both feet left and right to store the newspaper under the chair.

The key is to use the entire sole of your feet, which also makes it perfect for strengthening your core.

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Stick-pulling sumo

@cocoskip
Hello! This is Cocoskip. In today’s video, we’re playing tug-of-war with a stick. It looks like a simple game, but even adults ended up in a pretty heated match 😂#cocoskip Skip here Child Development Support After-school day service Exercise Therapy #After-school day service #Child Development Support (Japan)#CocoSkipChallenge #Indoor Play simulation Play Showdown Staff’s Daily Life Tug-of-war sumo #IWantToBeOnTheRecommendations I love the admins.
Idol – YOASOBI

Here’s an idea for a sumo-style game using a stick.

You’ll need a pool cue, a mat, and a platform.

It’s a fun game that builds strength and balance! Two players hold a single pool cue and pull against each other, trying to either make the opponent step off the platform or let go of the stick.

It also helps develop patience through focused, physical competition.

Since the game starts with the mat and platform setup, it’s a great activity for after-school day services.

Kids can have fun while boosting their fitness and competitive spirit.

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Secret Base Dome

@mami_asobi
Today’s post is the Newspaper Dome. This activity got my child the most excited ever 🤭 It’s spacious—about 5 or 6 kids could fit inside 😁 Kids love secret-base-type spots, right? With the breeze coming in, it felt cool and comfy inside! For a dome this big, one fan might not inflate it enough; using two made it pop up nice and full! If you only have one fan, I recommend making a smaller one 😊 How to play: Go in and out, jump around inside Bring toys into the dome and play Toss in a blanket for a cozy nap Bring in snacks and drinks Stick stickers all over the walls Scribble on the floor or walls with pens Let them go all out, and finish the day by tearing it up—that alone can keep you busy all day 🤭 Materials: About 30 sheets of newspaper (use more or fewer—try any size you like) Packing tape Plastic sheeting (for the ceiling) I made each wall panel with 6 sheets of newspaper this time! The entrance side used 5 sheets! For the ceiling, I opened up two plastic garbage bags and used those! I used plastic for the ceiling to let in light this time, but you can make the ceiling out of newspaper too! Thanks always for watching 😊 Let’s keep adding to our at-home play ideas and enjoy parenting together ☺️✨ At-home play Indoor play Educational play Parent–child time Newspaper play Newspaper dome Secret base Secret-base dome
Original Song – mami_asobi – mami_asobi

Let’s secretly play in your very own room! Here are some ideas for a secret-base dome.

For children, a secret base is a special place that sparks their sense of adventure and imagination.

It’s an appealing space they can use freely—as their personal hideout or a place to invite trusted friends to play together.

This time, let’s make a secret-base dome using materials you already have at home.

You’ll need newspaper, plastic bags, and duct tape.

After making the walls and roof with the newspaper and plastic bags, blow air in through the entrance using a fan.

It will puff up softly and it’s really fun!

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Abdominal Muscle Chain Game

@machan.kidsbodyspecialty
Fun ways to train your abs#Motor skills Core Parent-child gymnastics #ParentingConcerns Exercise Therapy
♬ Kids & Toys – FASSounds

A unique game to build core strength! Here’s an idea for an Ab Chain Game.

Your core plays an important role when standing, sitting, walking, and running.

Developing a strong core is essential for balance and good posture.

This time, let’s try the Ab Chain Game to train your core while having fun.

Get ready by lying on your back in a circle with your friends! Starting with the child holding the ball, use your abs to lift your upper body and pass the ball to the next friend.

The key is to hold the ball firmly with both hands!

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Color Play Game

@cocorurueniwa
Today's activity is a color play game! Walk only on the specified color and aim for the goal! Make sure to clearly recognize your own color!#Kokoruru Eniwa #Kokorururu Sakuramachi Eniwa City After-school day service After-school day service Activity Color Play Game #tiktokvalentine
♪ Tetris – Hiiragi Magnetite

A colorful floor makeover! Here are some play game ideas that use colors.

They’re fun activities that nurture color sense and attention.

Cut five colors of tape into short pieces and stick them on the floor; as children look for and step on each specified color, they can develop their ability to distinguish colors and follow rules.

The game is simple yet helps train reflexes and balance, and it’s perfect for group fun.

Try incorporating it as an activity in your after-school day service.

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