A big hit at after-school childcare! A special feature on group games and activities you can play without any equipment

How to Make a Block Puzzle to Strengthen Shape Skills

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This time it’s a “Lego puzzle that boosts shape sense.” Making it and solving it both really work your brain. Even adults feel a real sense of accomplishment when they solve it! It’s a great brain-training activity. How to make it: (1) Stack plates to make the base. (2) Flip it over and add a frame. (3) Leave one small opening in the frame to make it easier to take pieces out. (4) Combine two-stud-wide plates to make the pieces. (5) It’s tricky to make the pieces fit perfectly. My 4th-grade older son can both build and solve the puzzle. My 1st-grade younger son had fun solving it! It’s compact, so you can pop it in a bag and take it with you. Great for passing time outdoors too—highly recommended. －－－－－－－ We share fun, brain-boosting activities that elementary schoolers get more hooked on than the Switch—and that grow their talents! Check out our other posts! －－－－－－－Elementary school kids' playBrain-boosting playSTEAM educationTranslation#legoLEGO puzzle

♬ A cute pop and bouncy song(1526882) – sanusagi

With these easy-to-copy, one-minute activities, you can make mornings fun and smooth.

We introduce simple and entertaining games like “Janken Champion,” where you face off in rock-paper-scissors and advance by winning; “Name Toss,” where you pass a ball while calling a friend’s name; and the “Yamanote Line Game,” where players link words to a beat based on a given theme.

We also feature classics like Finger Suma, Acchi Muite Hoi, and Green Peas.

None of the ideas require any preparation, so the moment you feel like it, you can start playing right away.

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sasashina

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3 fingerplay activities that engage first graders

[A Must-See for Teachers] 3 Hand Games That Captivate First Graders

The first is the classic “after-the-fact Rock-Paper-Scissors.” The leader says “Rock, paper, scissors, shoot!” and throws rock, scissors, or paper.

Participants watch and then play after the leader, aiming to win.

The second is a game called “Pachi-Pachi.” You clap only when the leader’s hands overlap.

Adding feints makes it more exciting.

The third is a game called “How Many Fingers?” The leader quickly shows a number with their fingers, then hides their hands behind their back.

Participants answer the number the leader showed.

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sasashina

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Ball games you can play with two people!

[Game] 2-Player Ball Games: 8 Recommended Activities Even Lower Grades Can Do

Balls are very familiar playthings for children, and the ways to enjoy them are limitless! This time, we’re introducing eight ball games for lower-grade students.

In addition to balls, items like hula hoops are used to help kids improve their physical abilities while having fun.

Basically, children pair up in twos and play by throwing or rolling the ball, or dodging a bouncing ball.

There are also games with sport-like elements—such as Copycat Dribble, Hoop Pass Tennis, and Marker Hockey—so we hope even kids who feel uneasy about ball sports will take this opportunity to get interested.

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sasashina

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Rhythm play with words

Music_Elementary School_Rhythm Play with Words (2)

Word Rhythm Play is a game you can enjoy while moving your body, building vocabulary and a sense of rhythm, and training skills like quick thinking and problem-solving.

Listen to the beat and match your words to it.

Any words are fine, but the key is to stay on rhythm.

Start with an easy beat and gradually increase the difficulty.

Once you get used to it, adding handclaps while playing can make it even more exciting.

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mayumi

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Fun music play in nature

Fun music play in nature

Let’s move our bodies together and enjoy playful music activities in nature while taking in the scenery and sounds around us.

Placing ourselves in nature and listening to the wind and the sounds of insects stimulates the five senses and helps refresh the mind and body.

As we sing, let’s wave colorful scarves and try moving them while imagining what the wind might sound like.

It’s also fun to sway the scarves with varying strengths, like a gentle breeze or a strong gust.

One of the charms of this play is being able to move freely and express yourself while sensing a variety of sounds—like leaves rustling and water flowing.

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mayumi

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7 park games kids can play without equipment

Must-see for childcare workers: Hands-free! 7 park games that don’t require equipment

Park games that everyone from small children to adults can enjoy together without any preparation are great because they can be played with whoever happens to be there.

Hopscotch, hand-pushing sumo, number games, playing house, shadow play, and drawing are all familiar activities that don’t require any equipment.

You can also use natural materials like pebbles and sticks, which makes it easy to invent games and come up with original rules with friends.

Let’s make the most of the wide-open space of the park and have fun moving our whole bodies with games that can only be enjoyed in such a setting.

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Aiko, then go!

Rock-Paper-Scissors Twist Kids Can Enjoy: Aiko de Don!

Let’s enjoy a reflex-based game! Here’s an idea for Aikode-Don.

This is a one-on-one game where you face each other and start in a seiza (kneeling) position.

With rock-paper-scissors, people usually focus on winning or losing, but in this game the key moment is when it’s a tie! The instant you both throw the same hand (a tie), try to stand up faster than your opponent! Once you get used to the game, try changing the sitting style to gym sit (hugging knees) or long sit with legs extended.

You can also increase the difficulty by adding a rule that you must stand up without using your hands!