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)
Daikon Game
It’s a game also known as “Daikon Pulling.” Typically, the children play the daikon (radishes) and the teacher plays the puller (the “oni”).
The children acting as daikon lie on the floor and hold hands tightly so they won’t be pulled out.
The goal is to keep holding hands for a set amount of time.
Children can also take the role of the oni, but be careful to avoid injuries.
Thunder Game
In Japan, there’s a long-standing saying that thunder will steal your belly button.
Many people probably heard this from nearby adults when they were children.
This is a game where you protect your belly button from the thunder.
The thunder rumbles—“goro goro goro”—as it approaches.
Children lie on their backs and keep their belly buttons covered with both hands.
When the thunder shouts “Dokan!” (boom!), your belly button will be taken—so quickly roll from lying on your back to lying on your stomach.
Recreation for Nursery Schools and Kindergartens: Fun Children's Games (31–40)
It fell, it fell.
Let’s try playing the hand-clapping song “Ochita Ochita.” Little kids love hand-play songs, don’t they? In this song, things fall from above, and you make gestures to match each item.
For example, when it’s an apple, a thunderbolt, or a shooting star, you can do movements like picking something up or hiding your belly button to match what’s falling.
The difficulty changes depending on how fast you sing.
Finger Catch Game
Everyone stands in a circle.
Make your right hand into a fist with your index finger sticking out, and shape your left hand like a tube.
Put your right index finger into the tube formed by the person next to you.
When the signal ‘Catch!’ is called, try to pull your right finger out so it doesn’t get caught, and quickly close your left hand to catch the other person’s finger.
Can you avoid being caught while catching someone else? Watch out—there might be fake calls other than ‘Catch!’ to trick you!
Monster Hunter Game
This is a singing game called “Mōjū-gari Game” (Wild Animal Hunt Game) that you can play while singing.
You sing along, repeating after the leader to the song “Let’s go on a wild animal hunt.” Then the leader calls out the name of a wild animal—like tiger, lion, or giraffe.
Players must quickly form groups with the same number of people as the number of syllables in that animal’s name and crouch to be safe.
For example, for “raion” (lion), you make a group of four.
If you can’t form a group with the correct number, you get eaten by the wild animal.
Dance ‘Karada☆Dandan’
The exercise routine from NHK’s popular preschool program “Okaasan to Issho” is a staple of children’s recreation, and the routine that began in April 2019 is “Karada☆Dandan.” Its dynamic movements incorporate a variety of actions, which kids absolutely love.
Since the music is also a big favorite among little ones, even children who aren’t fond of exercise can enjoy it.
Various number-taking game
https://www.tiktok.com/@bear_kids_official/video/7524629709666290952It’s a game where you use various cards—numbers, symbols, illustrations, and more—to find 1 through 10! While becoming familiar with numbers and letters, kids develop number recognition, concentration, and the ability to follow rules.
By cooperating or competing with friends, their communication skills improve too.
It’s full of clever ideas that naturally lead to learning through play.
Even adults watching will want to join in.
Give it a try—children and adults can play together and enjoy a great time.
