Lovely childcare

[Childcare / Physical Play] Fun Activities to Get Moving

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
Nursery Teacher Mom Writertsukada moe
After working for five years at an after-school childcare club and three years at a nursery school, I began working as a freelance writer. I’m a mother of two children. Inspired by playing the flute in the school wind ensemble in elementary school, I joined a jazz club at university. I’ve also incorporated ukulele and piano performance into childcare. Playing, laughing, feeling sad, feeling frustrated—through all kinds of experiences, I want children to grow.

Physical activity play is essential in early childhood education, isn’t it?

Here, we introduce ideas for outdoor play and activities you can do indoors.

Use these examples to incorporate a variety of movement games and help children grow strong in both mind and body.

Many of the activities don’t require special equipment, so you can feel at ease even without preparation.

When adults join in the fun, everyone can enjoy a great time together.

Create joyful moments filled with laughter.

Let both children and adults move their bodies a lot and play with energy!

[Childcare & Physical Play] Fun Activities to Get Moving (111–120)

Hoop Musical Chairs

[Nursery Teacher | Outdoor Play] Hula Hoop

Hoop Musical Chairs

Let’s play using both our bodies and brains! Here’s an idea for a hula hoop musical chairs game.

Prepare about 10 small hula hoops in various colors.

As everyone hums a song with a deserted island theme, walk around the hula hoops.

When the teacher calls out “1, 2, 3,” everyone jumps into a hula hoop island.

It gets more exciting if you gradually reduce the number of hula hoops! Once everyone gets used to the game, try specifying which color hula hoop to enter, or call out items related to a color to decide which hoop to use.

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Tail-tag game

Physical activity play to improve children's motor skills: 1-2. Tail Tag

Tail-tag game

Let’s play a tag game with a twist: the “Tail Tag Game”! Children wear tails made from paper tape, ribbons, or similar materials.

Place a box with spare tails in the middle of the play area.

At the signal “Ready, go!” everyone chases each other and tries to grab other people’s tails.

It’s also important to run carefully to keep your own tail from being taken.

If someone loses their tail, they attach a spare one and jump back in.

The winner is the person who collects the most tails.

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Copycat game

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

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!

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body percussion

Body percussion education

body percussion

Body percussion helps develop rhythm and reflexes.

You express yourself by striking different parts of your body in time with various rhythms.

Try matching fast tempos, slow tempos, and medium tempos—experiment with different versions.

Once your level improves, it’s also great to take on as a dance.

When everyone can synchronize their rhythms, you’ll feel a strong sense of unity, and the excitement is guaranteed! Since it requires no equipment, it’s perfect to include when you’re unsure what to do for recreation.

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In conclusion

We introduced recommended physical play activities for childcare.

There was a wide variety, including ones for outdoors and ones that can be enjoyed indoors.

For children, moving their bodies is one of the essential activities.

Teachers, please try to find ways to enjoy them together and help the children exercise energetically.