Recreation for daycare centers and kindergartens: fun activities for children

staring contest

Warabe-uta Selection No. 42: “Daruma-san Staring Contest” by Theater Group ZERO Kawabata Kei

“Niramieko,” the face-off game everyone’s played at least once.

At the end of the song, you make a funny face, and if you can make the other person laugh, you win.

Try it with kids or as a parent-child activity.

One of the best parts is how the funny faces escalate more and more with each round!

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Bomb game

[Indoor Play] A Game Enjoyable Across Ages [Bomb Game]

First, have the kids sit in a circle with their friends.

While the music is playing, pass a ball—pretending it’s a bomb—to the friend next to you.

When the music stops, the child holding the ball has the bomb explode and loses.

It’s a simple game, but it gets everyone excited.

If musical chairs is too difficult for the age group, try this game instead.

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Copycat game

Let's try it with the teacher! Copycat Game♪

Let’s have fun with body mimicry! Here are some ideas for a copycat game that’s sure to make everyone smile.

While copying the teacher’s movements, strike unique poses like animals or heroes and play together.

You’ll find yourselves laughing and saying, “What is this?!” as you move your bodies.

While playing, kids build flexibility and balance, and the best part is learning through fun—“Can you really do this pose?” You might even discover some unexpected moves!

Let’s Play with Nursery Rhymes (Cloth Edition)

Let's play with nursery rhymes! — Games using fabric

Traditional Japanese nursery rhymes, passed down since long ago, are perfect for play that gets children moving their hands and bodies.

They may not be used as often in child-rearing today, but try teaching them as play songs in daycare or kindergarten.

Among them, hand-play games that use a small cloth like a handkerchief are especially fun because children can enjoy the cloth’s movement and texture, so even kids who don’t know the song will love them.

What shall we make with rock, scissors, paper?

What shall we make with rock, paper, scissors? ♪

It’s a game where you use only “rock,” “scissors,” and “paper” from rock-paper-scissors to make all kinds of animals and objects! Two scissors make a “cat,” two papers make a “pigeon,” and two rocks make a “gorilla.” Of course, your two hands can be different, too.

Use your creativity and try making all sorts of things!

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Dance: “Obake no Bakechama”

Obake no Bake-chama / Keropons [A fun ghost exercise “Obake no Bake-chama”! ]

“Obake no Bakechama” is a dance by Keropons that’s popular with children.

This ghost-themed dance is perfect for summer and could be great for events like sleepovers at preschools.

Many kids may think ghosts are scary, but “Obake no Bakechama” has very cute choreography, so it’s totally fine! Keropons’ dance songs are not only rhythmic but also use fun, catchy language, making them easy to remember—highly recommended!

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Dance “Jamboree Mickey!”

[Official] Tokyo Disney Resort Kids Dance Program “Jamboree Mickey! Let’s Dance!” (1) Let’s dance with Disney friends! | Tokyo Disney Resort

This is the dance from Jamboree Mickey!, a kids’ dance program at Tokyo Disneyland.

With dances by Disney characters like Mickey Mouse—whom children love—it’s guaranteed to be a hit.

Its uptempo music and lively choreography make it a perfect choice for performances at preschool or kindergarten events.