Recreation for daycare centers and kindergartens: fun activities for children

Hula hoop relay

[Challenge Video] Passing the Hula Hoop

Let’s move a hula hoop without holding it with our hands! Here’s an idea for a hula-hoop relay.

All you need is a large hula hoop.

First, hang the hula hoop on one person’s right wrist, then have them hold hands with another person.

Without grabbing the hula hoop, can you move it along to the other person’s left wrist while keeping your hands joined? Once you get used to it, try sending the hula hoop back and forth, or increase the number of participants to make the game more challenging.

It’s a fun way to enjoy cooperating with friends while following the rules.

Hoop Daruma-san ga Koronda

[Age 3] Daruma-san ga koronda♪

More ways to play! Here are some ideas for playing “Red Light, Green Light” using hula hoops.

You’ll need two balance beams, a hula hoop, a ball, and flat markers.

“Red Light, Green Light” is a game that’s been loved for generations.

Since the rules are easy to understand, many preschools and childcare centers likely include it in their activities.

Using hula hoops, balls, and balance beams expands the possibilities, so it’s highly recommended.

Once children are comfortable with the basic rules, give these variations a try!

Hoop Music Play

Eurhythmics Video for Children 15: “Let’s Play with Hoops!” — Song Home Lesson Movie

Let me share some ideas for playing with music using hula hoops.

All you need is a piano and large hula hoops.

Eurhythmics nurtures children’s interest in music and their abilities by moving the body to music and playing with rhythm.

While it’s possible to do these activities without any props, why not try eurhythmics ideas that use hula hoops? By moving the hula hoops to the music or along the scale, children can enjoy the fun of expressing themselves with their bodies.

Plastic Bottle Bowling

[Ages 1–2] First-Time Plastic Bottle Bowling!!

Let us introduce PET bottle bowling, an easy game to enjoy at parties and more.

Line up plastic bottles like bowling pins, then throw a ball and try to knock them down.

Compete by seeing how many bottles you can topple.

It’s a good idea to adjust the weight of the ball according to the players’ ages.

You can also put a little water in the bottles for added challenge and excitement.

Writing point values on the bottles and competing for scores, or playing in teams, can make it even more fun!

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mayumi

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Rhythm Play

Rhythm Play (Imitation Edition)

Let’s enjoy a “rhythm play” that will get your body moving naturally! Tap your knees twice—ton, ton—and then clap your hands once in front of your chest—pan.

To the rhythm of “ton-ton-pan,” the leader changes the “pan” part and names a body part.

For example, “ton-ton head,” “ton-ton butt,” etc.

Everyone else taps their knees twice and then touches the body part the leader names.

Try to keep up with the rhythm without falling behind! As a fun variation, the leader can say an animal name like “ton-ton monkey!” and everyone can imitate its sound, such as “ton-ton ook-kee!” That would be entertaining too.

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hiyoko sensei

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Color hunt to the rhythm

[Find the Colors! Play Song] Eurhythmics + Educational Play to Get Familiar with Colors from 0 Years Old

This is a game where you look for colors posted on the wall and point to them.

Move your body to the music and announce the colors during the song.

While singing, move to the rhythm and look for the colors on the wall.

Even if you find where they are, pointing is not allowed while the music is playing.

When the music stops, everyone points to the colors on the wall together on the count of “Ready, go!” If you post lots of colors and increase the number, you can play longer.

It’s a game that’s fun with small or large groups.

It’s especially recommended for children who are just starting to learn colors.

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utatane

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Range ogre

10. Microwave Demon (Microwave tag) [Exercise play]

Here’s an introduction to “Range Oni,” a variation of the familiar kids’ game freeze tag.

“Range” refers to a microwave oven, and this version turns the classic freeze tag into a cooperative game.

The rule is the same up to the point where a player tagged by the chaser freezes on the spot.

In Range Oni, when you find a frozen friend, two teammates surround them and hold hands.

While saying “Range de chin” (like the microwave’s beep), they lower their joined hands, and the frozen friend is “defrosted” and can move again.

Of course, if the chaser tags them before the defrost is complete, everyone freezes—making it a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat game of tag!