[Childcare / Physical Play] Fun Activities to Get Moving

S-ken

S (Es) Ken

Territory battles while hopping on one foot! Introducing S-Ken, a game you play with one-legged hopping.

Divide the children into two teams.

Draw a large S on the ground, place treasure in each team’s territory, and surround each treasure with a half-circle.

Set up several islands around the S as safe zones, and make an out area—then it’s time to play! When attacking the other team, you must challenge them while hopping on one foot.

Battles are like hand-push sumo, and always one-on-one.

If both feet touch the ground, you’re out and must watch the outcome from the out area.

Who will snatch the other team’s treasure first? It’s sure to get exciting!

Ninja Play

[Exercise & Gymnastics for Kids] Recommended Rule-Based Game for 4- and 5-Year-Olds: 'Ninja Play' / Rule-based active games, exercises, and gymnastics educational videos to improve motor skills together with Mom

The “Ninja Game,” which children can enjoy from age four, is a simple game where they must freeze whenever the teacher turns around and says, “Who’s there?” The children sneak behind the teacher, imitating ninjas.

When the teacher gives the cue “Who’s there?” and turns around, the kids stop and hide their presence.

In the “Shuriken Game,” if a shuriken is thrown at the head they crouch, and if it’s thrown at the feet they jump—letting them enjoy a variety of movements.

It’s fun even with a small group, so it’s great for morning care or after the late afternoon as well.

Mr. Crane, Mr. Turtle, spin and pop!

Childcare Magazine Hiroba, June 2017 Issue: “It’s Exercise Play Time! ~Mr. Crane, Mr. Turtle, Spin and Pop!~

“Crane and Turtle: Spin and Clap” is a game that starts with pairs of two.

After striking a crane pose and a turtle pose, you spin and clap hands together on “pon.” It’s also great for preschools and kindergartens to form one big circle as a class and clap on “pon.” You can add variations, like doing rock-paper-scissors after “pon.” It’s a rhythmic activity that uses the body—bending and stretching arms and legs, and spinning.

It’s also important to watch your partner closely and sync your movements.

Children can learn to cooperate and play together with friends.

Core training exercise

Hoiku Magazine Hiroba, September 2017 Issue: "It’s Time for Movement Play! — Core-Training Exercises Part II (Pairs Edition)"

This is the “Core Roll Exercise,” a game you can play using toilet paper cores.

In pairs, you roll the cores back and forth or blow on them to make them roll.

You can also keep holding hands while you play, or spin around with the core at the center—there are lots of ways to move your body depending on your ideas.

Toilet paper cores are easy to prepare as recycled materials, so it’s something you can start right away when you want indoor activity on a rainy day.

This game also lets friends enjoy communicating with each other.

It’ll be exciting to play a lot and get the hang of it!

Wolf, what time is it now?

Mr. Wolf, what time is it now?

“What’s the time, Mr.

Wolf?” is a game where players take as many steps as the number the Wolf calls out.

For example, if the Wolf says “Three o’clock,” everyone moves three steps forward.

Players gradually get closer to the Wolf, and when someone touches the Wolf, a game of tag begins.

The Wolf tags the next Wolf, and one round ends.

It’s similar to “Red Light, Green Light,” but the changing number of steps each time is part of the fun.

You can also enjoy interacting with the Wolf and practicing counting, so everyone can get excited together with a mix of thrills and anticipation.