Indoor games and recreational activities recommended for summer

Ball games you can play alone

[Indoors OK] Solo Ball Games: 5 Recommended Picks Even Toddlers Can Do

Here are five ball games you can play by yourself! First: kick the ball yourself, run, and pass it through your legs.

You’ll use your head, too, as you think about how hard to kick.

Second: toss the ball up and pass it through your arms—moving your body is the key.

Third: balance one ball on top of another and keep it still.

Fourth: hold the ball above your head, bend your body backward, pass it through your legs, and catch it—great for flexibility.

Finally, a game using a hula hoop: while the hoop is spinning, move the ball.

You don’t need to throw or kick hard to have fun with any of these, so give them a try!

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kepiko

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Making crispy slime

KOHAKUTO GUMMY SLIME DIY — Looks real!? I tried making slime like crispy Gummytzel.

Irresistible to look at and touch! Here are some ideas for making crackly slime.

When you think of slime, many people probably imagine something soft that stretches and droops.

This time, let’s transform slime into a crisp, crackly version and have some fun.

You’ll need molds, a melamine sponge, candle wax, parchment paper, and toothpicks.

Be sure to work together with a parent or teacher when making it.

The finished crackly slime looks almost like a tasty treat, but be sure to play with it—don’t put it in your mouth.

target practice

Target practice with toilet paper rolls! Let's hunt some ghosts.

Here’s a target-shooting game you can make with toilet paper rolls.

Create the targets as a craft and have fun playing.

Wrap colored paper around the toilet paper rolls that will be your targets.

You can turn them into ghosts or ogres and knock them down.

For the “gun,” make a slit at the top of a toilet paper roll and hook a rubber band onto it.

For the “ammo,” cut another toilet paper roll into rings about 1 cm wide, then cut a small triangular notch at the top.

Hook the rubber band into this notch and launch the ring so it flies and knocks over the targets.

Boys especially love games where you shoot and defeat enemies, right? It’s a great activity for when you want to have fun at home.

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Yuuko.S

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Home festival

A perfect idea for kids interested in summer festivals: an at-home fair.

Going to a real festival is fun, but the great thing about an at-home fair is the freedom—you can play your favorite games as much as you want, pour on as much shaved ice syrup as you like, and enjoy it your way.

There are lots of handy items available these days, so you might be surprised how easily you can set one up at home.

Try planning it with ideas kids love, like shooting games, yo-yo fishing, and lucky string pulls.

Put on some festival background music and transform your room into a festival venue!

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sasashina

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Water mat play

You can play with water indoors! Here are some ideas for water mat play.

On hot summer days, you might want to enjoy water play but find it difficult for various reasons.

That’s when a water mat comes in handy.

Just fill a vacuum storage bag (like the kind used for bedding) with colored water and toys, and you’re done! Kids will be captivated by the cool feel of the water and the toys gently floating and moving inside the mat—no doubt about it! It’s also lovely to spend time relaxing while watching the soothing movement of the water.

pretend nagashi-somen (playing at flowing somen noodles)

@mammybear_

We played pretend nagashi-somen. It looks just like the real thing!#FunNurserySchoolSummer activities#Nagashi SomenRole play

♬ Fun comical busy busy – SOUND BANK

Try this before the nagashi-somen event! Here are some ideas for playing “pretend nagashi-somen.” Speaking of nagashi-somen, you catch the flowing noodles with your chopsticks at just the right timing and eat them, right? This time, let’s enjoy a pretend version using milk cartons and yarn.

You’ll need items like milk cartons, tape, clothespins, rubber bands, a bucket, and yarn.

It’s recommended as an introduction to teach first-time kids the rules and guidelines before they try real nagashi-somen!

Marble Chicken Race

[Indoor Play] A Thrilling, Edge-of-Your-Seat Game Using Marbles

Will it fall or won’t it?! Here’s an idea for a marble chicken race.

When you think of marbles, many of you probably imagine rolling them to play, right? This time, let’s try a chicken race using marbles.

You’ll need cups, tissue paper, rubber bands, and marbles that have been wet with water.

Place the tissue over the cup and secure it with a rubber band, and you’re ready to go! Each person, one by one, places a water-wet marble on top.

If the tissue tears and the marble falls, it’s game over.