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

Sinking Game

[For Childcare Workers] Teacher Rio’s Active Play That Gets Kids Excited [The Sinking Game]

Have you heard of the Sinking Game? In a large space like a hall or gym, place several mats around.

These mats become the “boats.” The children split into groups and stand on the mats, while the teacher plays the role of a shark.

When the teacher shouts, “The ship is sinking!” the children must move from their current mat to another one.

If they get caught by the shark while moving, they’re out! If they make it without being caught, they’re safe.

It’s also fun to use other words that start with the “chi” sound instead of “chinbotsu da” (“The ship is sinking!”).

It’s a heart-pounding game that’s perfect for after-school programs.

It can be played indoors on rainy days, so give it a try!

Wiggly Tail Tag

We’d like to introduce a wiggly tail-tag game that also requires some clever footwork while running.

Use triangular red cones or blocks to create a winding path.

When players face each other, the person closer to the winding path is the runner, and the one farther away is the chaser.

Once they’re facing off, if the runner taps the chaser’s hand, the runner starts escaping along the winding path.

Because the path twists and turns, it’s hard to predict how the tail will move—that’s the key point.

It’s fun to focus, watch the tail’s movement, and think about the timing to grab it.

Once you get used to it, you can make the winding path longer to increase the running distance and make the game even more exciting.

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Hoop Tail Grab

Let me introduce a thrilling hoop tail-tag game.

Attach a tail to your backside and try to escape within a hula hoop so it doesn’t get taken.

If your tail is taken, the game is over.

Since the space inside the hula hoop is limited, the key is to move your body cleverly to avoid having your tail grabbed.

It may be even more exciting if you set a time limit or prepare extra hula hoops.

If you increase the number of hula hoops, it’s also recommended to add more taggers.

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chantAdo

Rhythm Jump Rope “Shō”

Rhythm jump rope set to Ado’s song “Show” seems like it would be even more exciting, with the uptempo, powerful vocals boosting the energy! Before you start jumping, try some light body loosening to ease tension—this will help you enter the rhythm smoothly when you begin.

During the slower parts of the song, incorporate crisscross jumps by crossing your arms.

It’s easier if you cross the rope slightly lower, near your lower body.

For the challenge section, add your favorite signature tricks to finish in style!

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lilacMrs. GREEN APPLE

Rhythm Jump Rope “Lilac”

Mrs.

GREEN APPLE’s “Lilac” is a perfect fit for rhythm jump rope.

During the chorus, when doing two-beat jumps, it’s easy to look down and lose your posture, so try to keep your gaze forward and jump while feeling the rhythm.

The challenge section is the main highlight of rhythm jump rope! Incorporate double unders, focus on spinning the rope quickly and jumping high, and give it your best.

If you’re up for it, adding moves like backward double unders or the Hayabusa is also recommended.

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Growth Janken

[Rock-Paper-Scissors] Let’s have fun from preschoolers to elementary schoolers! Great for large-group indoor play.

Grow bigger when you win at rock-paper-scissors! Here’s an idea for a Growth Rock-Paper-Scissors game.

Start in a crawling pose like a baby! Each time you win, you “grow”: from a crouching child to a standing adult.

You can play one-on-one, of course, but it’s also great fun with a large group.

To keep it fresh, try tweaking the pose you strike when you level up, or set rules like not playing rock-paper-scissors with the same person consecutively.

That way, everyone can enjoy it without getting bored!

triathlon

Let’s clear the challenges set at each station and aim for the finish! Here’s a triathlon-inspired idea.

A triathlon is a race where you swim, cycle, and run in sequence to reach the goal, right? This time, let’s try playing a game where you aim for the finish by overcoming a series of continuous challenges, just like a triathlon.

In the video, it looks like pairs are cooperating and playing together.

How about incorporating this into your activities with some adaptations?