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 Fun Activities and Recreation Games Recommended for Nurseries and Kindergartens (71–80)
Say the same thing, do the opposite game
@soramame.sensei Hello! This is Kotoba no Kyoushitsu Soramame Kids 🎵 Today we’re introducing a game with endless ways to play: “Say the Same, Do the Opposite”! 😆💛 The rules are simple! Just like the name says: say the same thing, but do the opposite! 🤣🤣 If you change the rules, the ways to play are infinite∞‼ Try switching it to “Say the Opposite, Do the Same 🎵,” do team battles, individual matches… and more! If you have other ideas like “We tried it this way!”, please share in the comments 😍 Watch till the end of the video to see the goals of the activity 🎵 If you think, “I want to try this♡,” please like, comment, and save! Thanks so much 🥰 Check out our other posts here ↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓ @soramame.senseiKotoba no Kyoushitsu Soramame KidsSoramame Kids Child Development Support Service, After-school Day Service, Kagoshima Therapy, Kagoshima Child Development/After-school Day, Recreation, Indoor Play, Childcare, Education, Nursery Teacher/Early Childhood EducatorTeacher
♪ Original Song – Kotoba no Kyōshitsu Sora Mame Kids – Teacher Sora Mame
It’s simple but tricky—that’s what makes it fun! Here’s an idea for a game where what you say and what you do are opposites.
A teacher or guardian plays the role of the caller, giving directions like forward, backward, left, and right.
The children imitate what the caller says, but perform the opposite movement.
It’s a unique game! At first, it’s best to go slowly and carefully.
Once everyone gets used to it, try speeding up the tempo or adapting it into a three-person team match to make it more exciting.
Ring-Collecting Game
@toiro_efilagroup Stimulation for the brain starts with making things 💡Nursery teacher / Childcare workerChildcare WorkerKanagawaAfter-school day service#toiro# developmental support (ryōiku)#Indoor Playwork
♪ Original song – toiro After-school Day – toiro After-school Day
Fun to make! Fun to play! Here’s an idea for a game where you collect rings.
You’ll need origami paper in your favorite colors, scissors, and glue.
First, cut the origami paper into long, thin strips and glue the ends to make rings! Using colorful paper in the making process can stimulate a sense of color and help develop fine motor skills.
Once the rings are ready, give each person a pair of chopsticks or a straw, and enjoy a game of collecting the rings! It’s a great way to build concentration.
Ring Relay
https://www.tiktok.com/@kidschallengeclub/video/7402061345539083538Here are two ideas for ring relay games.
What you need to prepare are markers for the start and finish lines.
In the first game, each person crawls under the feet of the person in front, then quickly stands up and spreads their legs to form a tunnel, connecting all the way to the finish.
In the second game, players form pairs to make a ring, and the next person in line crawls through as they all move toward the finish.
The key point is that neither game can be completed by a single person.
It’s also fun to compete by team!
Indoor Activities and Recreation Games Recommended for Nursery Schools and Kindergartens (81–90)
Come-here game

Even though the rules are super simple, let’s try playing the “Come Here, Come Here Game,” which kids are guaranteed to love! Divide into a teacher and children.
The teacher gently beckons to the children, saying “Come here, come here.” While the teacher is saying it, the children move slowly toward the teacher without running.
When the teacher suddenly says, “Come here, come here…
It’s a ghost!” the children have to run away so they don’t get caught.
Once everyone gets used to it, you can make it even more exciting by faking them out with similar-sounding words to “ghost,” like “pot” or “mother.”
Butt-walking race
It’s a “butt-walking race” where you move by scooting on your backside.
You can’t use your hands or feet; you move forward by shifting your butt back and forth.
The competition is to see who reaches the finish line first, but moving with only your butt is surprisingly difficult, and even when you try hard, you don’t get very far.
It can be a bit frustrating, but that’s part of the fun, and it always gets everyone excited.
It’s also fun to try doing it backwards!
Moving House Game

Let’s move to a distant base! Here’s an idea for a “Moving House” game.
In this game, the cue word is “Moving House,” and children simply move from one mat to another.
Once they get used to it, teachers or guardians can try to interrupt them along the course.
The fun part is seeing whether they can complete the move while avoiding the teachers or guardians! It’s also a great idea for deepening bonds among the children by giving them a shared goal.
Treasure-Grabbing Game

Let’s play with excitement! Here’s an idea for a treasure-grabbing game.
This unique activity can be enjoyed by both kids and adults, so teachers and guardians should join in with the children and have fun together.
It’s a simple game where you spread two colors of hula hoops around the room and move markers into the hula hoops of your team color.
The key rule is that only one marker can be placed inside each hula hoop! Give it a try!



