Recreation for daycare centers and kindergartens: fun activities for children

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 for 10 years as a kindergarten teacher and for 7 years as an after-school childcare instructor, then took a post as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I also engaged in activities that shared Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational play, working with many children. Afterwards, through freelance writing, planning, and editing work at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and conveying ideas. Leveraging the perspective cultivated in educational settings and my experience as an editor, I aim to deliver practical information—focusing on fields related to music and children—that values both input and output. Hobbies include instruments, singing, handcrafts, toys, drawing, traditional play, the outdoors, books, DIY, and crafts. Special skill: spinning-top tricks.
9 years of experience as a nursery school teacherShibata Risa
I am an active nursery school teacher with 9 years of experience. After graduating from university, I worked at a daycare center. The time I spent happily with children—playing piano, singing songs, and doing finger-play—are priceless memories to me. Currently, while raising three children of my own, I work at an after-school day service, engaging with children and providing individualized developmental support. Drawing on my diverse experiences as a childcare worker and as a mother, I hope to express and convey my thoughts through writing.

Children in daycare and kindergarten are full of curiosity and energy! Still, some teachers might struggle to come up with play ideas.

There are also days when the weather keeps you indoors.

Here, we introduce a variety of activities that children in kindergarten and daycare can enjoy! We’ve gathered fun activities—from dance, exercise, and games to crafts—that are suitable for babies through toddlers.

Active, movement-based play is a big hit, too.

Let children and adults play together and enjoy a wonderful time!

Recreation for daycares and kindergartens: Fun children's games (81–90)

Pull hoop play

@soramame.sensei
Super easy to set up! Perfect for cooperative play with friends, too! 🥰✨Kotoba no Kyoushitsu Soramame Kids #SoramameKids #KagoshimaRehabilitation # developmental support (ryōiku)Child Development Support After-school day service Let's play at home #Indoor Play #Indoor Play #IndoorPlay #HandmadeToys Focus Physical play (exercise)Cooperative Play
♬ The comedian’s gallop, a classic foot race song for athletic meet(1265442) – Kids Sound

Compassion is the key to winning! Here’s a fun idea for a Pull-the-Hoop game.

Prepare a hula hoop or a ring made from newspaper, some plastic ribbon (suzuran tape), and start and goal lines.

The person moving inside the hoop should walk in step with the moving hula hoop.

Be careful to keep your feet inside the hoop and maintain your balance! The person pulling the hoop should control the speed and the amount of force to guide their teammate to the goal.

Give it a try!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Ninja Game

https://www.tiktok.com/@cocoro_ws/video/7387295680869518610

Recommended for preschool classes! Here are some ninja game ideas.

These playful activities let children become ninjas and enjoy moving their bodies.

The teacher calls out moves like “Head Shuriken,” “Ninja Chop,” and “Foot Shuriken,” and the children dodge them by jumping or evading.

It’s great for building stamina and reflexes while moving swiftly like ninjas.

Pretending to be ninjas also sparks imagination, which is another plus.

It looks like a fun way to nurture concentration and flexibility through play!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

A hoop you can make and play with using newspaper

@soramame.sensei
Educational toy # developmental support (ryōiku)newspaper (newsprint)Form / Shape #CapCut
♬ Kids, cute, pets, energetic background music(1101939) – nyansuke

Fun for kids and adults alike! Here are ideas for a hoop game you can make and play with newspaper.

All you need are newspapers and cards with different motifs drawn on them.

Hand a sheet of newspaper to each person, then reshape the paper according to the motif card that’s revealed—this unique game is all about transforming the newspaper.

For a round motif, link the newspaper into a circle; for a square motif, try folding it into a square.

You can crumple it, fold it, or even tear it, so the game offers a high degree of freedom.

It really sparks creativity!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Stick-pulling sumo

https://www.tiktok.com/@cocoskip/video/7263409574894374152

Here’s an idea for a sumo-style game using a stick.

You’ll need a pool cue, a mat, and a platform.

It’s a fun game that builds strength and balance! Two players hold a single pool cue and pull against each other, trying to either make the opponent step off the platform or let go of the stick.

It also helps develop patience through focused, physical competition.

Since the game starts with the mat and platform setup, it’s a great activity for after-school day services.

Kids can have fun while boosting their fitness and competitive spirit.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Abdominal Muscle Chain Game

@machan.kidsbodyspecialty
Fun ways to train your abs#Motor skills Core Parent-child gymnastics #ParentingConcerns Exercise Therapy
♬ Kids & Toys – FASSounds

A unique game to build core strength! Here’s an idea for an Ab Chain Game.

Your core plays an important role when standing, sitting, walking, and running.

Developing a strong core is essential for balance and good posture.

This time, let’s try the Ab Chain Game to train your core while having fun.

Get ready by lying on your back in a circle with your friends! Starting with the child holding the ball, use your abs to lift your upper body and pass the ball to the next friend.

The key is to hold the ball firmly with both hands!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Color Play Game

@cocorurueniwa
Today's activity is a color play game! Walk only on the specified color and aim for the goal! Make sure to clearly recognize your own color!#Kokoruru Eniwa #Kokorururu Sakuramachi Eniwa City After-school day service After-school day service Activity Color Play Game #tiktokvalentine
♪ Tetris – Hiiragi Magnetite

A colorful floor makeover! Here are some play game ideas that use colors.

They’re fun activities that nurture color sense and attention.

Cut five colors of tape into short pieces and stick them on the floor; as children look for and step on each specified color, they can develop their ability to distinguish colors and follow rules.

The game is simple yet helps train reflexes and balance, and it’s perfect for group fun.

Try incorporating it as an activity in your after-school day service.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Recreation for Nursery Schools and Kindergartens: Fun Children’s Games (91–100)

Ring-Collecting Game

https://www.tiktok.com/@toiro_efilagroup/video/7369387611279887624

Fun to make! Fun to play! Here’s an idea for a game where you collect rings.

You’ll need origami paper in your favorite colors, scissors, and glue.

First, cut the origami paper into long, thin strips and glue the ends to make rings! Using colorful paper in the making process can stimulate a sense of color and help develop fine motor skills.

Once the rings are ready, give each person a pair of chopsticks or a straw, and enjoy a game of collecting the rings! It’s a great way to build concentration.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem