[Childcare / Physical Play] Fun Activities to Get Moving

Thunder Game

[Exercise & Gymnastics Kids Enjoy] The “Thunder Game” recommended from age 3 / Rule-based movement games and exercise-gymnastics educational videos to improve motor skills together with mom

Kids love thrilling games that make their hearts race—especially ones where they might get chased or caught.

This “Thunder Game” is all about protecting your belly button so the thunder god doesn’t take it.

Children lie on their backs on the floor, looking up.

The person playing the thunder god wanders around them, saying “rumble, rumble, rumble…” The cue is the word “BOOM!” to signal a lightning strike.

As soon as they hear it, the children must quickly flip onto their stomachs to hide their belly buttons, or they’ll get taken.

You can also have fun by faking them out with other words that start with the same sound as “BOOM,” or by speeding up the tempo!

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utatane

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Morning Noon Night game

Indoor games for large groups starting from age 3! Even elementary school kids can have fun while practicing moving quickly!

Here’s an introduction to the Morning-Afternoon-Night game.

You can play it anytime, anywhere, with any number of people, so it’s perfect for filling small gaps of time! When the teacher says “morning,” the children stand up.

For “afternoon,” they sit in seiza (kneel with legs folded under).

For “night,” they lie down right where they are.

The fun is in doing each action as quickly as possible.

Once they get used to it, try adding twists like “duck” or “monkey.” How will the children respond? Will they imitate the animals, get confused, or tell you, “Teacher, that’s wrong!”? That uncertainty is part of the fun of this game.

Ninja Training! ~Circuit Play~

[3-year-olds] Ninja Training! ~Circuit Play~

This is a circuit play activity where kids become ninjas and complete a course! Sprinkle full-body movements throughout the course—like the “Jump Technique,” where they leap down from a step, the “Tightrope Technique,” where they walk along tape on the floor, and the “Wall-Climb Technique,” where they scramble up a mat—and children will dive in with enthusiasm, feeling just like real ninjas.

To draw them in even more, you can spark their interest beforehand with picture books featuring ninja protagonists, or make simple handmade masks so they can fully get into character and enjoy the ninja world even more.

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yuri

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Hat-taking game

Hat-snatching game: preschoolers vs. trainee teachers

If you’re looking for an active outdoor game, how about the “Hat-Grab Game”? It’s a simple game of tag where you run to avoid having your school hat taken.

It’s also a game where you can enjoy a variety of children’s reactions—feeling frustrated when their hat is taken, or not even noticing it’s gone.

Teachers or guardians playing the tagger should watch over the children so they can run away safely and skillfully.

When playing, be sure to share safety tips to keep it fun, such as tucking away the hat’s elastic strap and avoiding the action of holding the hat down.

Range ogre

10. Microwave Demon (Microwave tag) [Exercise play]

Here’s an introduction to “Range Oni,” a variation of the familiar kids’ game freeze tag.

“Range” refers to a microwave oven, and this version turns the classic freeze tag into a cooperative game.

The rule is the same up to the point where a player tagged by the chaser freezes on the spot.

In Range Oni, when you find a frozen friend, two teammates surround them and hold hands.

While saying “Range de chin” (like the microwave’s beep), they lower their joined hands, and the frozen friend is “defrosted” and can move again.

Of course, if the chaser tags them before the defrost is complete, everyone freezes—making it a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat game of tag!

Clapping game until you drop

Let's all compete together! [Applaud until you drop]

It’s a game you can play casually in a compact space, with no special preparations or large area required.

The rules are simple: first, each person takes a sheet of tissue paper and holds it.

Next, raise your hand above your head, drop the tissue, and compete to see how many times you can clap before it falls.

You’ll stretch your body to drop it from as high as possible and move quickly to pick it up, so it becomes a full-body exercise.

The lively clapping sounds fill the room, and it’s great to see everyone smiling and having fun!

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hiyori

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Eurhythmics (immediate response)

Mebae Kindergarten Eurhythmics Class – Violet Group – Immediate Response

Here’s an introduction to “Eurhythmics,” an activity that develops bodily responses, listening skills, and reflexes.

Children enjoy movements that match changes in the music, such as running, stopping, dropping down with a thud, clapping on high notes, turning the opposite way, jumping, swinging, hopping on one foot, and skipping.

Make sure there are no obstacles or tripping hazards around, and move your body rhythmically.

Because children must listen closely for musical cues, their concentration is put to the test.

Enjoy the activity while watching how the children respond.

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kyc

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