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 schools and kindergartens (151–160)
Children’s song game “Zuizui Zukkorobashi”
“Zuizui Zukkorobashi” is a traditional children’s song that has long been loved and is still often sung in preschool settings.
To play, everyone forms a circle with their hands, and one person moves their index finger into each hand circle in time with the song.
The person whose hand circle the finger is in at the end becomes the next ‘oni’ (tagger).
There’s no winning or losing, but it’s a fun song because you move your hands in sequence while singing.
If you want more of a game element, you can play it so that the hand the finger ends up in is out, and the last person remaining is the winner.
Children’s song game “Nakanaka Hoi”
The children’s song game “Nakanaka Hoi” can be played with three or more people.
Two people face each other, each holding two strings, and move the strings together and apart in time with the song.
The remaining person must avoid getting their feet caught: when the song says “naka” (inside), they place both feet together inside the strings, and when it says “soto” (outside), they step outward, straddling the strings.
It’s exciting when multiple people can synchronize and succeed together, just like with a long jump rope!
Fruits Basket
Fruit Basket is a game that’s fun with lots of people.
When a question like “People who ◯◯” applies to you, you stand up and move to an open seat; if you can’t sit, you become “it.” You repeat this.
If small children are playing, it’s better to keep the questions simple.
Or you can divide everyone by fruit names instead.
When the call “Fruit Basket!” is made, everyone moves.
It’s so much fun when everything gets all mixed up.
Play with your whole body! “Let’s Clap Our Hands”
The popular children’s song “Te o Tatakimashou” (Let’s Clap Our Hands) encourages kids to express the lyrics with their bodies.
It’s been beloved for generations, and many adults today probably played it at least once! You clap your hands, stomp your feet, and spin your body around.
The movements vary depending on whether you’re sitting or standing, but in any case, it engages the whole body and can help with children’s physical development.
Kids can clap together with friends, stomp while hopping on one foot, and come up with endless ways to play! Be sure to try it with your children.
Exercise play using cloth
You can draw a ghost on a piece of cloth and play all sorts of games trying not to get caught by the ghost—dodging it, crawling under it, and more.
You can run away so you don’t get caught, slip through when the ghost isn’t there, or dodge flying ghosts; the ways to play are free and plentiful.
It doesn’t have to be a ghost drawing, but something that makes kids want to run away will make it even more exciting!
Seated tag
“We can’t play outside because of the rain, but I still want to move my body as much as possible today!” In times like these, here’s a childcare-friendly game we recommend: “Seated Tag.” First, the children start in a seated position.
The rule is that they must keep their bottoms on the floor at all times.
Set a time limit, then play tag while staying seated.
Since it doesn’t involve running, it’s safe and fun to play indoors.
It also helps build leg strength as kids move using their legs and bottoms, so be sure to add it to your play repertoire!
Indoor games and recreational activities recommended for daycare and kindergarten (161–170)
Colorful Ninja
The rhythm and association game “Color Ninjas.” After the call-and-response, “All good! Shoo-shoo shushushushu,” the first person gives a prompt like “a [color] [thing],” and the next person answers with something that fits.
Then the person who answered gives the next prompt and passes it on.
For example, if the prompt is “yellow foods,” the answers could be lemon or banana.
It’s a game that older preschoolers can enjoy, but it can be a bit tricky until you get used to it, so it’s okay if someone misses the beat a little or is slow with the prompt or answer.
However, if the same question comes up again and someone repeats a previous answer, they’re out.
During the “shoo-shoo shushushushu” part, you make a ninja motion as if throwing a shuriken—boys might especially love that!