Recreation for daycare centers and kindergartens: fun activities for children
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!
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Recreation for daycare centers and kindergartens: Fun children's games (21–30)
The “Say the same thing, do the same thing” game
“Say the same, do the same” is a literal imitation game where you mimic the person giving commands.
You repeat the chant “Say the same, do the same,” and then copy the instructions that follow.
If they say “Stand up,” you stand up.
There’s also “Say the same, do the opposite,” where you still repeat what’s said, but your actions must be the opposite, which makes it a bit more challenging.
Card Flipping Game
In the “Card-Flipping Game,” children split into two teams and flip double-sided cards so that they show their own team’s color.
When the end signal is given, the team with more cards in their color wins.
This game is very popular with kids and is also recommended for parent-child play at community events.
Give it a try!
human disentanglement puzzle
I’d like to introduce a no-equipment game called “Human Knot.” It doesn’t work with too few people, but it can be played with a small to large group.
First, everyone stands in a circle facing inward and uses their left hand to hold the hand of someone who is not standing next to them.
Then, do the same with your right hand, holding the hand of a different person who is not next to you.
At this point, everyone’s arms will be tangled.
Without letting go of hands, untangle yourselves by stepping through gaps and ducking under arms.
You must not let go.
If you manage to form a proper circle in the end, you’ve succeeded.
Signaling Game
This is a “traffic light game” where your movement changes based on the three signal colors: red, yellow, and blue, and you’re out if you make the wrong move.
Blue means you can go, so take one step forward; yellow means caution, so take one step back; red means stop, so freeze in place.
That’s all there is to the three moves.
Speeding it up makes it a bit tricky and more exciting.
You can also add original rules, like assigning a different color—say black—to mean cars are coming, so everyone has to run away.
Hat-taking game
This is the “Hat-Grabbing Game,” where you do your best to run away so the tagger doesn’t take your hat.
Like in tag, you choose someone to be “it.” The tagger’s goal is to grab hats, so everyone else runs to keep their hats from being taken.
The game ends when the tagger has taken everyone’s hat.
You can also set a time limit and say that anyone whose hat wasn’t taken by the end wins—that can make it more exciting.
It’s a recommended game that works both outdoors and indoors.
balloon volleyball
Volleyball is a classic ball game.
It can be dangerous for small children and the fast pace makes it difficult, but using a balloon for balloon volleyball is a great option because there’s no risk of injury.
The basic rules are the same as volleyball, but with a few tweaks—like sitting in chairs or using handheld fans—you can even play it in a classroom.
It’s a recreational activity you can enjoy indoors, even on rainy days.
Sinking Game
Everyone is a crew member on a ship, and the teacher is the shark.
While you’re on the ship, the shark won’t attack, but when the command “We’re sinking!” is given, the ship sinks and you have to run away to avoid being caught by the shark.
The kids know it isn’t a real shark, but they love this kind of thrilling game and really get excited.
The person calling the commands shouldn’t say “sinking” right away—start with “chi, chi, chi,” and mix in other words that start with “chi,” like “chingensai” (bok choy) or “cheese,” to fake them out.