Recreation for daycare centers and kindergartens: fun activities for children

Soap bubble play

[1- and 2-year-olds] Let’s play outside to our hearts’ content! Bubble play!

Wrapped in the warm, pleasant weather and with more days at comfortable temperatures, spring makes you want to head outdoors and play to your heart’s content with the kids, doesn’t it? How about incorporating bubble play into those outdoor activities? Fill a basin with plenty of bubble solution and use things like fans or hangers to enjoy making big, dynamic bubbles.

In the spring sunlight, the bubbles will likely sparkle and shine.

I can just picture the children happily running around with the bubbles.

Give it a try for some inspiration!

Churippu sharippu

tulip sheriff

Hold hands with your friends and play while calling each other’s names! Let me share the idea for “Churippu Sharippu.” There’s nothing to prepare, so just hum the song together and play.

There are moments in the song where you call out names, which makes it great for learning your friends’ names.

It’s especially recommended for classes with new or transferring children! You can adapt the way you play, so it’s an idea that children from infants to preschoolers can enjoy.

Be sure to try it in your activities.

Rock-Paper-Scissors Train

Buu’s Visit to the Nursery School (Rock-Paper-Scissors Train)

A classic kids’ game: the Janken 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 (janken).

The person who loses lines up behind the winner and places both hands on the winner’s shoulders.

Repeat this, and the person who ends up at the very front at the end is the winner! It’s a simple game, but before you know it, everyone’s totally into this fun recreation.

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sasashina

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Paper Sumo (Tonton Paper Sumo)

Tonton Paper Sumo Wrestling

Let’s play a nostalgic game: paper sumo! The video uses a ready-made paper sumo set, but you can also make one with origami.

Create wrestlers out of origami paper and use an empty box as the ring.

At the cue “Hakke-yooi, nokotta!” lightly tap the box to move your wrestler.

Depending on where and how hard you tap, the wrestlers may clash, topple over, or even go out of the ring.

The key to paper sumo is mastering the force and the way you move them—so gather everyone and give it a try!

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hiyoko sensei

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Tunnel play

Childcare Magazine Hiroba December 2017 Issue: “It’s Time for Movement Play! — Exciting! Thrilling!! Tunnel Play! Part 2”

Kids love active play, don’t they? Let’s try some tunnel play using various items found in daycare or kindergarten! You can cut holes in newspaper or use the frame of a vaulting box, and add variety by arranging them vertically or horizontally.

You could also make lots of tunnels out of things like string or plastic bags and set them up like an obstacle course—kids are sure to love it.

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utatane

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