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 activities and recreation games recommended for nursery and kindergarten (131–140)
Ton-ton Tunnel
Adults stand with their feet about shoulder-width apart, and the children crawl on all fours and move forward, passing through the space between their legs.
They advance to the chant “Ton ton ton ton Tunnel,” but the last word, “Tunnel,” gets changed to a different word.
If you’re between the legs when that happens, you get caught.
You have to pass through carefully or make a quick escape… but you end up getting caught anyway, right? (laughs)
ladder rock-paper-scissors
“Ladder Rock-Paper-Scissors” is played by dividing into two teams.
First, use tape or a rope ladder to make a single straight path on the floor.
Team members from each side take turns moving from their end toward the center, and when they meet, they play rock-paper-scissors.
The team that loses yields the path, and the next member continues forward.
The winning player does not switch out and keeps advancing toward the opposing team.
The first team to reach the opponent’s territory wins.
Copycat game
Let’s have fun with body mimicry! Here are some ideas for a copycat game that’s sure to make everyone smile.
While copying the teacher’s movements, strike unique poses like animals or heroes and play together.
You’ll find yourselves laughing and saying, “What is this?!” as you move your bodies.
While playing, kids build flexibility and balance, and the best part is learning through fun—“Can you really do this pose?” You might even discover some unexpected moves!
Nursery rhyme play “Abukutatta”
Do you know the nursery rhyme “Abukutatta”? It’s a classic children’s game, both now and in the past.
One child is chosen as “it,” and the other children, who become “children,” gather around and play.
They hold hands and go around in a circle, pretend to eat the “it” child, and so on—simple, but fun no matter how many times you play.
At the end, a cue called the “ghost sound” turns it into a game of tag, so the kids can enjoy moving their bodies.
Children’s song game “Otebushi Tebushi”
This is a game where you guess which hand an item is hidden in, played to the tune of the children’s song “Otebushi Tebushi.” The lyrics are difficult for kids, but after playing a few times they’ll get used to it, and once you start singing “Otebushi Tebushi,” they’ll gather around! It also sounds fun to split into teams and have a guessing competition.
Children’s song game “Nabe-nabe Soko-nuke”
Among traditional children’s songs and games, “Nabe-nabe Sokonuke” is especially well-known.
Two players face each other, hold hands, and—while keeping their hands linked—turn all the way around to end up back-to-back in time with the song.
Kids are flexible, so they can surprisingly make the turn quite easily.
It’s simple, but somehow so much fun it makes you smile.
Try enjoying it with lots of different friends!
Card flipping
“Card Flipping” is becoming a staple event at nursery and kindergarten sports days.
It’s a game where teams flip double-sided cards to their own team’s color within a time limit.
The rules are very simple, but it’s one of those games kids get totally absorbed in.
Once you make the cards, you can enjoy it over and over, so it’s highly recommended! It’s also great because kids can really move their bodies to the fullest.