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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- [Childcare] Full of energy! Indoor activity ideas to get kids moving
- [Parent-Child Rec] Recreational activities and games for parents and children to enjoy together—also great for sports days.
- [Childcare] Recommended for 3-year-olds! Play ideas everyone can enjoy
- [Autumn Activities] Nature Play and Craft Ideas for Fall to Incorporate into Childcare!
- Indoor games for parents and children: fun activities that use the body and the mind
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.
Butt-walking showdown
Let’s try racing by walking on our bottoms! Walking on your butt? It kind of feels like walking…
or hopping—such a strange movement.
Sit on the floor with your knees up, lift your feet, and move using only your butt.
It seems pretty tricky, right? Kids might be able to glide along more easily.
Set a finish line and see who can reach it the fastest! If adults do it, they might end up with sore muscles…
(lol).