Lovely childcare

Party games that are a hit at kindergartens and nursery schools

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 as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
Nursery Teacher Mom Writertsukada moe
After working for five years at an after-school childcare club and three years at a nursery school, I began working as a freelance writer. I’m a mother of two children. Inspired by playing the flute in the school wind ensemble in elementary school, I joined a jazz club at university. I’ve also incorporated ukulele and piano performance into childcare. Playing, laughing, feeling sad, feeling frustrated—through all kinds of experiences, I want children to grow.

Here are some party game ideas for kindergartens and preschools that will spark children’s excitement!

By having fun together, smiles will abound and a sense of camaraderie will grow.

There are lots of games that are easy to prepare and can liven things up in a short time.

When children play cooperatively, communication happens naturally and the fun doubles.

We’ve got a variety of party games recommended for events and occasions, so be sure to choose ones that suit the children’s ages and enjoy them together.

Party games that excite kindergarten and nursery school kids (71–80)

Musical Chairs

Musical Chairs (4- and 5-year-olds)

Musical Chairs

A classic recreational game that everyone knows: musical chairs.

It’s a game people of all ages can enjoy together.

While the music plays, everyone walks around the chairs; when the music stops, you sit down.

Anyone who can’t find a seat is out, and the last person remaining wins.

If small children are playing, it might be good to start by preparing a chair for everyone so they can get used to sitting when the music stops, and then try playing with fewer chairs than players.

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Ball Scissor Relay

Ball Chopstick Race

Ball Scissor Relay

This is a relay game where you hold a ball between your feet.

As long as you have enough space to move around, you can play it indoors, so it’s fun regardless of the weather.

If you make the relay course not just a straight line but add curves, turnarounds, or a loop, the difficulty goes up and it will get even more exciting, don’t you think?

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Flag-raising game

Flag-raising game · Kindergarteners · Eiwa Classroom · Atelier Yuu

Flag-raising game

It’s an old classic that both kids and adults can’t help getting fired up about: the flag-raising game.

You probably know the familiar phrase, “Raise red, raise white,” and have played it at least once, right? At first you think, “This is easy!” but partway through your brain gets tangled, you can’t tell which is which, and you end up in a panic (lol).

You can easily make the flags with colored paper and chopsticks, too.

You don’t have to stick to red and white—other colors work just as well, and using flags with characters drawn on them will make it even more exciting.

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Karuta in English

Phonics karuta! Can you distinguish the sounds correctly?

Karuta in English

If you want to incorporate English into early childhood education, this game is recommended.

It’s a karuta-style game where English words are spoken aloud and players touch and pick up the card that has the same word written on it.

It helps children improve their English listening skills and understand English vocabulary.

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ring toss

Wakatake Nursery School - Pretend Shop: "Ring Toss Booth"

ring toss

Ring toss is a classic game at night stalls and food stands.

Everyone’s probably played it at least once as a kid, right? Both the rings and targets are easy to make by hand, and it’s a popular party game that kids love.

To make the rings, roll up newspaper into sticks, tape them into circles, and wrap them all around with vinyl tape or similar.

For targets, you can use items you have at home—like chairs or stuffed animals—or easily make them from plastic bottles or milk cartons.

Assign point values and compete for the highest total score!

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