Popular recreation ranking for toddlers

Kendama50rank/position

Let’s play with a handmade kendama for 1- and 2-year-olds

You can make it with items found at school or home! Here’s how to make a kendama.

You’ll need paper cups or plastic cups or a paper carton, string, construction paper or origami paper or a beanbag, and tape.

To make it, poke a hole in the bottom of the paper cup and thread through the string that’s sewn to the beanbag.

Tape over the bottom to secure it, and you’re done! It’s easier to catch in the cup if it has a bit of weight, but if you don’t have a beanbag, you can substitute a ball made by crumpling construction or origami paper.

Try customizing it with materials you have at school or at home.

Mukkuri Kuma-san51rank/position

[Group Game] “Mukkuri Kuma-san” | How to Play “Mukkuri Kuma-san”

Here’s a game called “Mukkuri Kuma-san” that both kids and teachers can enjoy together.

The rules are very simple: the teacher plays the bear and pretends to sleep.

The children sing as they quietly approach the sleeping bear.

When the song ends, the bear wakes up and jumps to their feet, and the children run away.

The teacher playing the bear chases the children.

The child who gets caught becomes the next bear.

For children who don’t understand the rules, it may help to teach them slowly and carefully while demonstrating each step.

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mayumi

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kotoro-kotoro (onomatopoeic; a light rattling/rolling sound)52rank/position

kotoro-kotoro (onomatopoeic; a light rattling/rolling sound)

“Kotorokotoro” is one of the outdoor recreation games that kids can enjoy.

Four players line up in a straight line with their hands on the shoulders of the person in front.

The key is for everyone to work together so that the tagger doesn’t touch the last person in line.

While making sure hands don’t come apart, you win if you can keep the line intact within the time limit.

It’s fun both indoors and outdoors, so you’re not limited by location.

Another nice point is that everyone can take turns being the tagger.

It’s also a great chance for parents and teachers to share a nostalgic game with children.

circuit play53rank/position

A one-year-old got hooked on an indoor play pillow circuit!

Even on days when you can’t go outside, circuit play is a fun indoor option! By connecting various items to create a course like a circuit, children can use their whole bodies and keep playing without getting bored.

If you want an easy setup, you can link towels or handkerchiefs together, or use crepe paper tape.

Another benefit is how easy it is to adjust the difficulty level to match children’s ages and developmental stages.

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miyabi

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Hula hoop relay54rank/position

Hula hoop relay

Let’s clear the game by cooperating with friends! Here’s an idea for a hula-hoop relay.

It’s perfect for a sports day event for five-year-olds and is a great game for building teamwork.

Everyone holds hands and, without letting go, passes the hula hoop from person to person—working together is the key! Children will learn the importance of cooperation as they value teamwork and call out to encourage each other.

Through this event, they’ll deepen their bonds with friends and experience a real sense of accomplishment.

Mission game55rank/position

[Offline Meetup] Let’s have fun with Miko-chan at the Christmas party! We had a blast with mission games and all-you-can-grab sweets♪ Thanks to all the friends who joined us!

It’s exciting to carry out a mission written on a piece of paper, isn’t it? If you’re doing a “mission game” at a Christmas party, we recommend simple yet slightly nerve‑racking tasks like “stack three paper cups,” “thread a string through a toy needle,” or “quickly change a doll’s outfit.” Think up missions that match the children who will be playing.

And if there are sweets or prizes waiting after they clear the mission, it’s sure to make things even more exciting!

Eurhythmics56rank/position

Midwinter galore! Expressing with sound and movement: snowmen, penguins, polar bears, and skating! [KMA Early Childhood Eurhythmics Class]

With rhythmics perfect for February childcare, I plan to help children enjoy moving their bodies.

How about incorporating pretend activities like bean-throwing and chocolate-making with songs themed around Setsubun and Valentine’s Day? By putting on masks to the beat or handing out handmade hearts, children can experience the fun of events through music.

On days with light snowfall, rhythmics inspired by snowflakes and snowmen are also recommended.

Let’s nurture creativity together with the children by weaving in elements of each season!