Lovely Play & Recreation

Get the excitement going indoors! Winter activities that both kids and adults can enjoy

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

Precisely because it’s a cold winter, it’s nice when kids and adults alike can gather and enjoy games that warm both body and soul.

There are plenty of ideas—from lively activities you can play indoors with a big group while staying cozy, to games that incorporate winter-only experiences.

Here, we’ll introduce a wide range of options: from classic tag, to family-friendly venues, to indoor ways to enjoy winter traditions.

Spend a special time with friends and family, making the most of what only winter can offer!

Get excited indoors! Winter activities that both kids and adults can enjoy (21–30)

Drawing song: challenge without looking at anything

I tried drawing a 'drawing song' from memory without looking at anything.

Drawing song: challenge without looking at anything

Let’s try a drawing-song game you can enjoy while sitting indoors.

The person giving the challenge chooses a theme and plays a drawing song.

The person answering does not watch the video—only listens to the song—and draws the illustration.

When the song ends, try to guess what you’ve drawn.

To help everyone around enjoy it, prepare large sheets of paper and draw in a way that’s easy to see.

It’s important for both the viewers and the person drawing to keep that sense of excitement as you go.

Choosing easy-to-recognize subjects—like famous characters or seasonal fruits and flowers—will make the game more lively.

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heated pool

This should give you the feel of the Summerland indoor pool! We’ve summed up the three main spots | Family Pools in Tokyo

heated pool

Even in winter, many people want to stay cozy and keep active, or still want to go for a swim.

If that sounds like you, an indoor heated pool is the way to go.

Many facilities offer fun features like lazy rivers and slides that plunge down from as high as 40 meters, so do a bit of research and give them a try.

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oshikura manju (a children’s pushing game)

oshikura manju

oshikura manju (a children’s pushing game)

A traditional game to warm up your body, “oshikura manju.” Be sure to gather a big group and play! It’s great fun for everyone, from adults to children, regardless of age.

You don’t need a special place—you can even play indoors.

Just be careful not to overdo it and get injured.

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A dry ice rink

A ‘not cold’ skating rink opens for a limited time in Aichi, prompted by the closure of a rink beloved for over 50 years

A dry ice rink

One thing that has been drawing particular attention in recent years is ice-free skating rinks.

It used to be taken for granted that skating meant gliding on an ice rink, but lately rinks that aren’t made of ice have been appearing in various places.

Since you don’t get wet even if you fall, it isn’t cold.

Beginners and children can enjoy it with peace of mind!

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yuzu bath

[Ages 3–5] “Winter Play (Winter Solstice)” | Minami Senri Oka Yui-Kindergarten [Nursery/Kindergarten Event]

yuzu bath

Many people may remember having yuzu in their baths during winter.

Some children might have experienced a yuzu bath at home or while traveling.

Yuzu baths are said to promote circulation and help with shoulder stiffness and lower back pain, but for children, let them enjoy the scent and feel.

The warm sensation of the water, the refreshing aroma of yuzu, and the gradually loosening texture of the peel’s fibers—all of these offer discoveries just by touching the yuzu in the bath.

You can put a whole fruit in, or place cut pieces in a mesh bag—prepare different yuzu variations for them to enjoy.

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Playing in the snow indoors

Playing in the snow ⛄️✨ Kirari Nursery School, Tagajo

Playing in the snow indoors

Kids get super excited when it snows, don’t they? Children touching snow for the first time are surprised by how cold it is, and they’ll be fascinated by how quickly it melts.

So why not enjoy some snow play indoors? Outside, there’s the worry of catching a cold, but indoors they can play as much as they like in warmth, so it’s reassuring.

Buckets and shovels are great, of course, and it also sounds fun to use sand-play toys that can make pretend ice cream.

When there’s no real snow, you can make snow that doesn’t melt just by mixing conditioner and baking soda.

Be sure to have fun playing with snow indoors!

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9-square tag

[Viral Overseas] I tried playing the game that’s trending on Shorts and TikTok, and here’s what happened!

9-square tag

Here’s a game of 9-square tag that you can enjoy even in a small space.

First, use tape on a hardwood floor to create a grid of nine squares.

Once about three players and one tagger have stepped into the grid, you’re ready to start.

From here, the tagger tries to catch the players, but there’s one rule: both the tagger and the players may move only one square per turn.

If you move into the same square as the tagger, you’re caught.

It’s fun because it’s about strategy rather than foot speed.

People of all ages can enjoy playing together.

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