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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Recommended Indoor Activities and Recreation Games for Nurseries and Kindergartens (41–50)
Rock, paper, scissors: walk or sit?
One person sits on the floor, and another circles around the seated person to the music.
Then they play rock-paper-scissors: the winner becomes the one who stands and spins around, and the loser becomes the one who sits on the floor.
So if someone keeps losing, they’ll remain seated.
Try playing by gradually speeding up the music or song to increase the pace!
Song game ‘Drawing a Thousand Ants’
This is the play song “Ari-san Senbiki,” which sings about ants working hard to carry biscuits.
It’s a very cute song, but it uses the whole body—raising both hands high to represent the biscuits, crouching down to be the ants, and more.
Kids who love to move should do great with it.
Ants are the insects most familiar to children, right? At the end of the song, you can expect lots of questions from them, like “Do ants like biscuits?” and “They’re so small—how do they carry them?”
Musical Chairs
It’s the famous game “Musical Chairs,” which everyone can enjoy, from small children to adults.
It’s very simple and doesn’t depend much on age, so kids can play it easily.
It’s also an all-round game that works with both small and large groups.
The basic rule is “play music, and when the music stops, sit,” but it’s also fun to sing the music yourselves or sit on a stop command.
Vinyl Umbrella Ball Toss
Let’s play “tamaire” (ball toss) indoors! Tamaire is usually a sports day event, but here’s an easy indoor version: use a vinyl umbrella as the basket and badminton shuttlecocks as the balls.
Any umbrella will work, but a clear vinyl one lets you see the action and makes it more exciting.
You can also make balls by crumpling up newspaper.
Let’s start by having everyone crumple newspaper together!
Copycat contest
Here’s a fun “Copycat Race” you can enjoy on the spot.
Prepare small chairs or cushions to get started.
The teacher says, “What’s the copycat race today?” and then names an animal or vehicle for the children to imitate.
The children pretend to be that animal or vehicle and go around their own chair or cushion three times.
When they finish, they sit on their chair or cushion to reach the goal.
The first person to sit down wins.
The rules are simple, so it’s a great game for all ages to get excited and play together.
Copycat Animals
Here’s a copycat animal game that kids of different ages can enjoy while moving their bodies.
Along with a piano melody, the teacher says the name of an animal and imitates it.
The children enjoy moving like the animal in their own way, at a level that suits their age.
You might even see the younger children copying the movements of the older ones.
It could also be fun to ask the children what animals they can think of as you go along.
This copycat animal play is a great way to get kids moving indoors—give it a try!
Mimic Animal Rock-Paper-Scissors
Here’s a game called “Copycat Animal Rock-Paper-Scissors” that helps children of different ages interact and become friends.
At the cue, “Copycat animal, rock-paper-scissors—go!” everyone strikes an animal pose.
If both partners choose the same animal pose, they earn 1 point; if they choose different poses, they spin around once on the spot.
It’s recommended that teachers and children decide the set of animal poses in advance.
You may see older children teaching the animal poses to younger ones.
Come up with lots of pose variations and have fun!
Mimic Rhythm Play
Here’s a follow-the-leader rhythm activity you can enjoy while copying movements.
As you hum the rhythm, the teacher demonstrates by clapping hands and gently tapping their own head or arms.
After watching the teacher’s example, the children play along with the rhythm by copying the movements they’ve learned.
During this time, the teacher should also move together with the children to serve as a model.
Younger children can participate within their abilities.
Older children, once they’re used to it, should try making their expressions bigger and more exaggerated.
Have fun by adjusting the tempo as you go.
Rock-Paper-Scissors Train
A classic kids’ game: the “Rock-Paper-Scissors Train.” Here’s how to play.
First, play some music and have everyone walk freely around the room.
When the music stops, find a nearby friend and play rock-paper-scissors.
The person who loses stands behind the winner and places both hands on the winner’s shoulders.
Repeat this, and the person who ends up at the front at the end is the winner! It’s a simple game, but before you know it, everyone’s hooked—great fun as a recreation activity.
Ball arranging game
Get the excitement going indoors! Introducing the “Ball Line-up Game.” First, split into two teams, and each person takes a ball in their team’s color.
At the start signal, players place their balls onto a ball stand arranged like a tic-tac-toe grid.
After placing a ball, tag the next teammate.
The team that places their balls on the stand first wins.
It’s perfect for short indoor distances and still super fun.
Try adding more stands or creating your own rules to make it even more exciting!
