Fun winter activities: Recreations that children can enjoy

Christmas Ball Toss Game

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Merry Christmas!After-school day serviceStep Support#Christmas

♬ Jingle Bell Rock – Bobby Helms

Here’s how to play a Christmas ball-toss game that’s perfect for the holidays.

First, split into one Santa and several reindeer.

The person playing Santa walks around pulling a sled made from cardboard or similar.

The reindeer players throw balls aiming to land them in the sled.

In the video, there’s one Santa, but increasing to two or three would likely make it even more exciting.

You can adjust the difficulty based on age by having Santa move faster or by using a smaller sled box.

Playing Christmas background music will help boost the festive atmosphere! Give it a try for your holiday fun.

Finger-knitted scarf making

Papa’s Style Teppan ☆ 1 Minute: “Kids Will Love It! Easy! How to Make a Finger-Knitted Scarf”

If you’re thinking, “It’s cold outside, and I want activities the kids can really enjoy indoors,” this is a must-see.

How about knitting your own scarf, a winter essential, this cold season? Knitting can seem difficult, but as long as you have yarn, there’s an easy method that uses just your fingers.

There aren’t any complicated steps requiring fine finger movements—it’s a simple, repetitive process, so kids quickly get the hang of it and can keep knitting more and more.

A scarf they make themselves is sure to be a favorite! It would be wonderful for parents and children to make matching scarves together, too.

They also make great gifts for friends.

Create a scarf you love and enjoy a warm, cozy winter.

rubbing against each other; barely touching/scrapingKeropons & Ryuzo Fukuda

[Play Song] Rub, Rub (Keropons & Ryuzo Fukuda)

“Kosure Kosure” is the perfect song for a chilly day that warms both heart and body.

When skin rubs against skin, you feel warmth from body heat and friction, right? In this song, to the lyrics “kosure kosure” (“rub rub”), you can rub your hands together or even rub a friend’s back, so you can enjoy not just moving yourself but also interacting with friends.

The lyrics and movements are very simple, and the tempo is easy to pick up, so even first-time listeners will be smiling in no time! It’s a short song, so it’s great to use before outdoor play or to fill a little bit of spare time.

Making ice

[For 5-year-olds] Make ice and do experiment play

Recommended for anyone who wants to enjoy winter-only play with children! Make the most of the cold and try creating different kinds of ice to play with.

The method is super simple: fill a bucket, play dishes, or food storage containers with water, then let the kids add leaves and petals however they like, and leave it outside for a day.

By the next day, the water in the containers will have frozen, and you’ll have unique, original ice creations full of the children’s personalities! Kids can touch the ice they made to enjoy its chilly feel, use it for pretend play, or even try little experiments—there are so many ways to play.

They’ll be excited to come to school the next day wondering, “Did our ice freeze?” Be sure to try making all kinds of ice with the children.

Non-melting snow play

[STEAM Early Childhood Education] Let's Make Snow — Bringing More STEAM Learning into the Early Years

A must-see for anyone who wants to enjoy snow-themed play with kids in the cold winter! Here’s a fun, melt-free snow activity with a fascinating, mysterious texture.

It’s super easy to make! First, put 100 g of baking soda on a tray.

Next, add a little hair conditioner to the tray bit by bit—use about the size of a 100-yen coin as a guide.

Be careful not to add too much conditioner.

Finally, squeeze it firmly in your hand; if it holds its shape, it’s done.

It’s great that you only need two ingredients.

Unlike real snow, it doesn’t melt, so kids can play with it over and over.

They can squeeze it to make dumpling shapes or rice balls, enjoy the crumbly texture, or even try adding color with paint—it all sounds fun.

Give it a try!

Battledore and shuttlecock

[Nursery/Kindergarten] New Year Indoor Play [How to Make a Handmade Battledore] The shuttlecock spins and is easy to hit / New Year Games / Origami

Perfect for the New Year! How about enjoying hagoita, a traditional Japanese New Year’s paddle game, together with the kids? First, cut cardboard into the shape of a paddle.

We recommend using slightly thicker cardboard.

The shuttlecock can be easily made by folding origami paper.

It’s nice that you can enjoy it with everyday materials.

Try lots of play: two people can face each other and rally the shuttlecock back and forth, or one person can keep tapping it without letting it fall.

This is also a great chance to tell the children about the origins of hagoita.

Wishing you a wonderful New Year.

Tag

Tag (playing chase) with four elementary school kids

When it comes to the simplest games kids can enjoy, tag is probably at the top of the list, isn’t it? Tag doesn’t require any equipment and has no complicated rules, so even young children can have fun with it.

And unlike hide-and-seek, it’s a game that warms you up even in the cold winter, so it can be considered a good activity—almost a sport—from a health perspective for children.

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Frozen soap bubble play

When the temperature is really low and it’s freezing, it’s tempting to just stay cozy indoors, isn’t it? But there are activities you can only do on cold days.

Why not head outside precisely because it’s cold and try making frozen soap bubbles? If the temperature is below freezing, even soap bubbles will freeze.

Just prepare regular bubble solution and a straw, then gently blow a bubble over ice or on fresh snow.

Normally, bubbles pop the moment you touch them, but when they’re frozen you can set them on your palm or even hold them.

Imagining how kids will react is exciting, isn’t it? Their perfectly round shape and shimmering colors look so magical—be sure to give it a try!

Christmas Curling

[Christmas Activity] Curling Game! Easy to make once and use forever! A game you can play even during the COVID-19 pandemic! (Elderly care activity / Kids activity)

Highly recommended for anyone looking for a perfect, crowd-pleasing Christmas activity! Try making and playing Christmas Curling! First, line up three sheets of white drawing paper vertically and tape them together.

Draw a Christmas tree, then decorate freely by pasting on more paper, etc.

Be sure to write the point values clearly with a marker at this stage.

Next, cut out circles of drawing paper to match the size of plastic bottle caps, stick them onto the caps, and draw faces on them.

Finally, write “Splash!” at the top of the tree and set a basket there to finish.

The rules are simple: flick the caps with your finger and compete based on the points where they stop.

This game requires fingertip strength and delicate control, and it’s easy to make—give it a try!

Marathon race

Children of the wind dash at full speed despite the cold! Marathon event at a nursery school: “We did our best to the very end” [Kochi] (01/19/23 19:20)

Many of you probably experienced marathon events in kindergarten, daycare, or elementary school when you were children.

Running doesn’t require special equipment and is easy to start, making it perfect for those times when you want to move your body and warm up on a cold day.

Marathon running not only warms you up, but with consistent practice it helps build both explosive power and endurance, leading to improved overall fitness.

Aiming for a single goal and reaching the finish line also fosters children’s perseverance and a never-give-up attitude.

Start with short distances suited to children’s development and athletic ability, and gradually increase the distance.

If parents and children take it on together, it’s sure to deepen your bond even more.

Give it a try!