Indoor games and recreational activities recommended for spring

Jumping game “Anta gata dokosa” (Where Are You From?)

Where are you from, you folks? ♩

“Antagata Dokosa” is a traditional temari (ball) song.

There’s a game where you jump left-right and forward-back in time with the song.

You draw a large square on the floor, divide it into four smaller squares, and two players stand in opposite squares in a staggered position.

As the song plays, you jump left and right across the grid, but on each “sa” in the lyrics, you jump forward or backward.

If you jump correctly, you and the person in front of you move in contrasting patterns without colliding.

But if either of you makes a mistake, you’ll bump into each other within the squares.

Can you jump properly and succeed?

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utatane

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Bamboo Shoot Nyoki

Takenoko Nyokki (from “The Latest and Most Fun Recreation Games”)

The game often seen on quiz variety shows is “Takenoko Nyokki.” It turns the image of bamboo shoots growing upward into a playful activity, making it a cute game recommended for children.

The game starts by saying, “Takenoko, takenoko, nyokki-kki,” while moving your hands up and down.

Next, at your own timing, raise your hand and say “1 nyokki,” “2 nyokki,” and so on.

If you say it at the same time as someone else, or if you fail to say your nyokki by the end, you’re out! Because the fun lies in quick reactions and outsmarting others, it’s a game that children, teachers, and parents can all enjoy together.

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miyabi

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Trump: “pig’s tail.”

Let's play cards♪ Pig's Tail

This is a card game that uses playing cards called “Pig’s Tail.” Place the deck face down on the table, and everyone takes turns placing one card face up in the center.

If you play a card with the same suit as the previous player’s card, you must take all the cards in the middle.

Continue until the end, and the player with the fewest cards at the end wins.

Mix in just one Joker; drawing the Joker gives you a lucky chance to return all the cards you’re holding to the center.

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utatane

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Birthday chain

Game | Birthday Chain

The game where you line up in order of birthdays without making a sound is called “Birthday Chain.” It’s perfect for playing with a large group, so it’s great for activities at kindergartens, nurseries, and other big gatherings! Without speaking, everyone lines up from January to December, and basically the exact dates must be in order too, which can be a bit challenging for younger children.

It’s fine to give hints together with the teacher.

At the end, announce your birthdays in order, and if someone has a birthday that month, sing the birthday song! Since you use gestures to communicate your birth date to others, it also helps improve communication skills.

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miyabi

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Vinyl umbrella ball toss

Tamaire (using a vinyl umbrella and badminton shuttlecocks) [indoor play]

First, prepare several crumpled newspapers or balls.

Then use an upside-down plastic umbrella as a basket.

Compete to see how many you can throw in within a time limit.

It’s easy to do indoors.

It’s casual and can be played with two or more people.

shrink plastic

Shrinky Dinks: Basic Making and Usage Guide

You can easily and casually make plastic accessories and keychains! Shrink plastic—truly the classic indoor activity.

Just draw your favorite letters, patterns, or illustrations on special plastic sheets and bake them in the oven.

The plastic shrinks and hardens, and voilà—your keychains and accessories are ready in no time! The great thing is you can pick up the materials at 100-yen shops or stationery stores.

Since the plastic is transparent, tracing designs is a breeze.

How about trying it as a first step into DIY you can enjoy indoors with your children?

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Murakami Shinpei

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Ball-carrying relay

Exercises (play) involving handling equipment – such as carrying equipment ⑤ Group challenge: carrying the ball

Split into two teams, and in pairs carry a ball using a towel.

Run quickly without dropping the ball.

You can use various methods, not only a towel—such as using a stick or holding it between your backs to carry it.

You can also set up obstacles with cones, and so on.