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 in Kindergartens and Nursery Schools (41–50)

Let’s go ahead and press the button.

Let’s have fun pressing buttons found everywhere—on clothes, around the house, and more! If you look around, you’ll be surprised how many places have buttons.

Try giving prompts like “Let’s press a button of this color,” and make it a game by specifying colors and shapes for even more enjoyment.

You can also deliberately place various buttons in different spots to play; that way, there’s no risk of pressing buttons that shouldn’t be pressed, so it’s safer.

It also sounds fun to investigate what kinds of buttons are around you!

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Sumo tournament

Kindergarten Sumo Tournament

Sumo tournament

Lay out small mattresses in a hall or gymnasium and try practicing sumo matches.

Crashing into each other with full force serves as exercise while also helping you learn how to control your strength when engaging an opponent.

Above all, it lets you appreciate the importance of physical connection with friends.

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Silhouette Quiz

[Silhouette Quiz] What could this be? (Demonstration/Question): Chidori Nursery School @ Chiba City Authorized Nursery School

Silhouette Quiz

How about playing a game using paper plates: an animal silhouette quiz? Prepare two paper plates.

On one plate, draw the animal’s shadow, its silhouette, with a black pen.

On the other plate, draw the actual animal as the answer.

Cut a slit in both plates, then stack them with the silhouette in front and the answer plate behind.

Slide the back plate through the slit to reveal the correct answer.

Try drawing lots of different animals.

You could also use vehicles or fruits that are easy for children to recognize, not just animals.

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Daikon Game

[Exercise & Gymnastics Kids Love] The “Daikon Game,” recommended from age 3 / Rule-based movement play and exercise-gymnastics educational video to improve motor skills together with Mom

Daikon Game

This is an indoor game played lying on the floor called the “Daikon Game.” Children lie face down in a circle and become daikon radishes.

The adult tries to pull out the radishes by tugging on their legs.

The children should hold hands tightly so they won’t be pulled out.

If their hands come apart, it means they’ve been pulled out and will be “eaten.” Try varying your movements—pretend to pull one radish but grab another, speed up and tug at everyone’s legs—to keep the game lively.

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parachute ball

We played with a parachute! The Bunny Class (1-year-olds) and the Elephant Class (2-year-olds) were thrilled! Everyday life at Hachiman Kodomoen (Fukui City).

parachute ball

This is effective as an expressive play activity to do with a large group of friends.

Using a big, colorful circular cloth called a parachute, everyone holds the edge and spins it around together.

Try putting lots of balls on the cloth.

Children will be thrilled by the movement of the balls.

You can also crawl under the cloth and use it like a tunnel.

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Playing McDonald’s (pretend play)

YouTuber Kusanagi has now become a McDonald’s crew member!!

Playing McDonald’s (pretend play)

This is a pretend play activity that children love.

How about giving awards to the child who served customers the best or had the nicest smile? You could also turn it into a game to see if the “customer” can remember their order.

Paying attention to outfits and props will enhance the atmosphere and make it even more fun.

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Target shooting

Yu 20140712-2

Target shooting

It’s a game where you prepare a board with points written on it and throw a ball at it from a distance.

You can increase the difficulty by adjusting the distance to the board according to age.

The setup and rules are simple, so it’s nice that even small children can take part.

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