Lovely Play & Recreation

[For Kids] Indoor Games and Activities Recommended for Winter Break

20 years of experience as a nursery teacher / kindergarten teacherhiyoko sensei
I’m Hiyoko-sensei, a former nursery school teacher from Hyogo Prefecture. Ever since I was five, my dream was to become a childcare worker, and before I knew it, 20 years had passed since I achieved that dream. Through singing and playing with the children, I kept working with the spirit of someone in their twenties, even as I increasingly felt my physical limits year by year (haha). From here on, I’d like to share helpful information carefully and thoughtfully, drawing on my on-site experience.
Keyboard playerSAKI
I’ve been playing the Electone since I was six, mainly performing Disney music, anime songs, and music from dramas and films. I post performance videos on YouTube and social media, and I also give concerts. Building on my Electone experience, I took up synthesizer and piano during my student years and performed at school-sponsored events. As a writer, I’ve covered not only music-related topics but a wide range of genres, so I hope to draw on my experience to deliver articles that make readers think, “I want to try that!” or “I want to listen to that!”

We’re introducing indoor activities for kids that are perfect for spending winter break with family and friends!

It’s important for kids to play actively outdoors even in winter, but when it’s too cold, that’s not always possible.

Plus, winter is the season when colds and other illnesses tend to spread, so to avoid getting chilled, indoor play naturally becomes more common.

So in this article, we’ve put together a list of recommended indoor activities for winter to help you when you’re wondering, “What should we do for fun during winter break?”

We’ve picked out a variety of activities, from brain games to those that get kids moving, so be sure to have fun trying them with your child!

[For Kids] Recommended Indoor Games and Recreational Activities for Winter Break (11–20)

Balloon de Bazooka

@soramame.sensei
Inflate a trash bag and transform it into a bazooka! Aim for your opponent’s basket and let’s go! 🌟 Figuring out where to place the ball and how much force to use is trickier than you’d think?! But once you score, it’s so addictive you won’t want to stop! 😆😆 Since the hot days are still continuing, it’s a great option for indoor play, too ❤️#SoramameKids Kotoba no Kyoushitsu Soramame Kids # developmental support (ryōiku)#KagoshimaRehabilitation Garbage bag Child Development Support After-school day service #Indoor Play #IndoorPlay child Recreation
♬ Fun pop music – masa

Here’s a home-friendly game called “Balloon de Bazooka.” You’ll need a large plastic bag, some colorful balls, and a basket.

First, split into two teams and place a basket in front of each team.

When the game starts, put the colorful balls into an inflated plastic bag.

Then slap the bag to shoot the balls toward the opponent’s basket! The team that gets more balls into the opponent’s basket wins.

While playing, kids can naturally develop skills like adjusting the force of their slaps and controlling the direction of the balls.

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Gift hunting

@dori_ismart
It's fun from the moment I start getting ready 🥳#GiftHunt #Sweets #AtHomePlay #Christmas Christmas present
♬ Christmas standard song – 3KTrack

Highly recommended for a party game with kids! Let me introduce “Present Hunt.” First, fill bags with treats or toys the children like.

On each bag, stick a note that tells the next hiding place in sequence.

On the first bag, write where to find the next one.

After writing the clues, hide the second bag at the location written on the first, and so on.

You can make it more exciting by increasing the difficulty with each step.

Kids often come up with surprising hiding spots, so it’s also fun to play adults versus kids.

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karuta (traditional Japanese playing cards)

HOW TO Competitive Karuta (Beginner’s Guide)

karuta (traditional Japanese playing cards)

Karuta is a game everyone can enjoy, and for small children it even helps with language learning.

Let’s boost our concentration and give it a try.

You can buy a set or make your own! If you want something more serious, try Hyakunin Isshu, the classic version famous for being featured in films.

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cat’s cradle

[Ayatori] Easy Way to Make a Star – Perfect for Christmas or Tanabata! [With Voice Commentary] String Figures / Grandma’s Ayatori

cat's cradle

How about enjoying ayatori, the traditional string game you can play with just a single strand? It’s easy to prepare and great even for small children.

You can also play with two people, skillfully taking the string from each other and transforming it into various shapes!

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Sugoroku

Doraemon♪♪ Sugoroku Game Showdown! Aim for the goal while collecting all kinds of Doraemons! You can watch episodes 1–4 all at once♪

Sugoroku

A board game where you roll a die and move your piece by the number shown.

It’s a table game that people of all ages can enjoy.

You can buy a commercially available set or make your own.

How about trying your luck for the new year?

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beanbags

How to Juggle Three Beanbags [How to Play with Beanbags]

beanbags

How about otedama, a classic Japanese game? You play by tossing small cloth beanbags.

You can throw several up and try not to drop any, or set a goal and throw toward it to see who can get closest.

With a little creativity, there are lots of ways to enjoy it.

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[For Kids] Indoor Games and Recreational Activities Recommended for Winter Break (21–30)

Bozu Mekuri

Unexpected excitement during the Bouzu Mekuri game.

Bozu Mekuri

Bozu Mekuri is a game played using the picture cards from the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu and the corresponding reading cards.

You place all the cards face down, divided into a few piles, and everyone draws one card at a time.

The action you take depends on the picture on the card you draw.

The player who ends up with the most cards in hand wins.

While rules vary by region and household, the basic idea is that cards with men are called “tono” (lord), cards with women are “hime” (princess), and if you draw a “bozu” (monk)—a card depicting a monk—you have to forfeit all the cards you’re holding.

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