Indoor games and recreational activities recommended for summer
We’re introducing indoor games and activities perfect for kids in the summer! When you think of summer, many people probably picture outdoor fun like swimming at the beach, playing in rivers, or going camping.
However, it’s not realistic to go out every day during the holidays, and in recent years the extreme heat has made it difficult to spend time outdoors.
Considering children’s safety, it’s not easy to just say, “Go play outside!” For parents in that situation, we’ve gathered a list of indoor activities that are perfect for summer and fun to enjoy together with your kids.
With a bit of creativity, you can enjoy all kinds of play even indoors.
We hope you find these ideas helpful!
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Indoor activities and recreation games recommended for summer (21–30)
Kendama
With kendama, moving the sword in sync with the ball helps develop both the optic nerves and the body’s nervous system together.
It also gradually builds concentration.
Because you play with proper posture, your posture improves as well.
After practicing to a certain extent, if you teach them to use their knees in time with the kendama’s movements, their motor skills will improve even further.
Chimney Balloon-Flying Game
Soft, floating balloons don’t hurt even if they bump into you, making them a perfect toy for little kids.
Here, we’ll introduce a game where you use a fan to send balloons flying.
First, tie a string to a plant stand you can buy at a 100-yen shop, wrap an A3-size PP sheet around it, and stand it upright to make a tube.
Stuff balloons into the tube, and your setup is ready.
At the count of “Ready, set, go!”, everyone fans upward from below to launch the balloons and play.
Try turning it into a game by asking, “Who can get the most balloons out?” and have fun!
What comes to mind when you think of ◯◯?
It’s a game called “What comes to mind when you hear ◯◯?” The rules are very simple: if everyone’s answers to the prompt match, you succeed.
If the answers don’t match, the game won’t end.
For example, with a prompt like “What comes to mind when you think of sea creatures?”, people might think of jellyfish, sharks, and many others.
Everyone needs to give the same answer.
The more people you have, the harder it is to match answers—and that makes it more exciting.
It’s a fun, highly recommended game to liven up a summer hangout at home.
100-yen store sticker book
Here’s an introduction to sticker books you can buy at budget-friendly 100-yen shops.
Kids really do love stickers, don’t they! Since they tend to stick them all over the place, letting them use a sticker book is a great idea.
There are also sticker books geared toward girls, like pretend-play sets and dress-up dolls, which are sure to spark your child’s fashion sense and love of style!
Thunder Game
Let’s move our bodies while having fun! Here’s a thunder game idea.
If you’re spending time indoors, you might worry about not getting enough exercise.
That’s when this thunder game is perfect.
Children should lie down on their backs.
Make sure to leave enough space so they don’t bump into furniture or other people.
While a parent or teacher says “goro goro” (rumble), the children stay lying down.
When they hear the cue word “dokan” (boom), they quickly flip to put their stomachs on the floor.
Try whispering or speeding up the cues to add variety and keep it fun.
Balloon badminton
The great thing about indoor play is that it isn’t affected by the weather and you can play comfortably inside.
Especially in summer, heatstroke is a concern, so we might end up playing indoors more and more from now on! Balloon badminton is a gentle activity that everyone can enjoy together, from little kids to grandparents.
Just replace the badminton shuttlecock with a balloon and play the same way you would badminton.
If you don’t have a badminton racket, you can substitute something like a plastic desk pad!
Indoor water play
Let’s play a color-water game using baking parchment and colored water.
As preparation, draw several cups in different colors on the baking parchment.
Use a waterproof marker.
Next, make a few kinds of colored water and drop them onto the parchment with a dropper.
Touch the dropped colored water with a chopstick and move it gently—like magic! The colored water moves.
The goal is to keep moving the colored water and gather it into the cups.
Because this involves fine motor work, it isn’t suitable for large groups in childcare.
Why not try it as a special treat when there are fewer children, such as in the late afternoon or during extended care?
