In this article, we introduce recreational activities for preschoolers in a ranking format!
These activities can be used at daycare centers, kindergartens, and certified childcare centers, and can also be incorporated into everyday play at home.
If you want to know which games are popular with preschoolers, are looking for recreational activities you can use for preschooler-oriented events, or want to make everyday play with your child more fun, be sure to check out this article.
You’re sure to discover games that kids will love!
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- Indoor games and recreational activities recommended for daycare and kindergarten
- Useful for childcare! Today’s recommended recreational activities, including fingerplay and games!
- [Childcare / Physical Play] Fun Activities to Get Moving
- [Childcare] Play Right Now! Recommended No-Prep Games
- [For Kids] Indoor Fun! Large-Group Recreational Activities and Games
- Indoor Games for Small Groups: Exciting Recreational Activities
- Let's play with a big group! A collection of fun children's recreational activities
- Parent–child interactive play. Fun activities popular in childcare settings and at parent–child observation days.
- Recreation for daycare centers and kindergartens: fun activities for children
- Fun activities with newspaper! Recreation games kids will love
- Indoor games that different ages can enjoy! Ideas for fun everyone can get excited about together
- [Children’s Club] Easy and fun indoor games. Exciting party games
Top 10 Popular Recreational Activities for Toddlers
Wolf, what time is it now?1rank/position
Let’s try to escape from the hungry wolf! Split into one wolf and the rest as children.
The children ask, “Mr.
Wolf, what time is it?” If the wolf says “Two o’clock” or “Six o’clock,” the children reply, “Phew, that’s a relief.” But if the wolf says “Three o’clock,” which is snack time, the wolf starts chasing them.
Anyone caught becomes the next wolf.
There’s also a variation where you split into a wolf and little goats, ask “Mr.
Wolf, what will you eat?” and when the wolf answers “Little goats!” everyone runs away.
It’s a highly recommended game that people of all ages can enjoy in a big group.
Thunder Game2rank/position
Let me introduce a thunder-rock-paper-scissors game where moving your body to the chant is lots of fun.
Have the children lie down on their backs.
The teacher says, “Goro goro goro—DOkkaaan!” and the children should quickly roll their bodies to hide their belly buttons by turning over onto their stomachs.
The key is to roll fast so your belly button doesn’t get ‘taken.’ You can make it even more exciting by changing the volume of your voice or the speed of the chant.
Once everyone gets used to it, try switching the direction they roll to keep it fun!
Bomb game3rank/position
The excitement just won’t stop! Here’s a fun idea for a bomb game.
It’s a great way to build concentration and decision-making skills while playing.
All you need is a device that can play music and a ball or balloon.
Have the participants stand in a circle facing each other.
While the music is playing, pass the ball to the person next to you.
When the music stops, whoever is holding the ball loses—simple as that.
It’s sure to be a hit with preschool classes!
Drop the Handkerchief4rank/position
A traditional game loved for generations! Let’s introduce “Drop the Handkerchief.” All you need is a handkerchief.
How to play: Choose one child to be “It” and give them the handkerchief.
The other children sit in a circle facing inward.
It’s good if they close their eyes at this time.
“It” walks around the outside of the circle and drops the handkerchief.
The child who has the handkerchief dropped behind them chases “It” and tries to tag them.
If “It” is tagged, they remain “It” for another round; if not, the person holding the handkerchief becomes the new “It.”
Gesture Game5rank/position
Move your body to match the theme! Here are some gesture game ideas.
Gesture games are a great way to have fun while staying active indoors.
Imitate gestures based on a theme to act out animals, vehicles, everyday actions, and more! Through play, kids can develop communication skills and creativity.
Once they’re comfortable with simple gestures, try making the themes a bit more complex.
You can just picture children laughing and playing together with friends, teachers, and parents.
Human Othello6rank/position
This is a large-group recreation game that uses the rules of Othello, the classic board game everyone knows.
Divide participants into two teams and assign each member a number.
Decide which team goes first, then let everyone move freely within a designated court for a preset amount of time.
When time is up, everyone must stop where they are.
Starting with player number 1 on the first team, players take turns moving three steps to sandwich members of the opposing team.
If a player gets sandwiched by the other team, their color flips just like in Othello.
You win by either eliminating the opposing team or having more members of your color when the time limit ends.
Use both brains and bodies—enjoy the excitement with the kids!
PET bottle darts7rank/position
How about planning a “PET Bottle Darts” game for your festival stall that anyone can enjoy anywhere? All you need are plastic bottles and chopsticks! Place plastic bottles with the caps removed on the floor, aim, and drop a chopstick.
If it lands in the bottle’s mouth, you win! You can adjust the difficulty by changing the size of the bottles.
Decorate the bottles cutely to match the festive atmosphere.
Since this game uses quite a few chopsticks when there are many participants, prepare plenty by splitting each pair into two sticks.
