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)

[Tag] Oni Tag: Kotoro Kotoro

kotoro-kotoro (onomatopoeic; a light rattling/rolling sound)

[Tag] Oni Tag: Kotoro Kotoro

Have you heard of Kotorokotoro, a game of tag with a history of over 1,300 years? First, an “it” (the tagger) is chosen, and the other players line up in a single file.

The players in line hold the shoulders of the person in front, linking together like a train.

Then the player at the end of the line runs around trying not to get caught by “it.” It really puts teamwork to the test.

There’s no limit on the number of players, so it gets exciting with a big group forming a long line.

By the way, it’s also sometimes pronounced “Kotoro-kotoro.”

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Ofuro Cafe

The bathhouse cafe where you can laze around all day was heaven! #shorts

Ofuro Cafe

The trendy Ofuro Café is highly recommended, too.

An Ofuro Café is a bathhouse facility that feels like a café, where you can take your time enjoying baths and saunas.

They provide comic books and board games, so you can have plenty of fun as well.

It’s also nice that they offer detox water and coffee.

For example, adults can relax in the sauna while the kids have a blast with board games.

What’s more, you can even stay overnight at an Ofuro Café.

If everyone stays together, it’ll feel like a mini getaway.

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Get the party going indoors! Winter activities for kids and adults to enjoy (31–40)

Building a snow hut (kamakura)

Brothers make an appearance! We built a giant igloo behind my parents’ house!

Building a snow hut (kamakura)

In recent years, extreme weather has continued, and even regions that don’t usually get much snow sometimes see heavy snowfall.

When the snow paralyzes transportation and you can’t go anywhere, why not try building a kamakura (a snow hut)? It’s not widely known, but the inside of a kamakura is actually quite warm.

If you manage to make a big one, it might be nice to put a kotatsu inside and get cozy.

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kite flying

[Experiment] We tested the maximum height a kite can reach—and the results were pretty amazing

kite flying

Kite flying is a New Year’s tradition.

You have to run to get the kite up, so like it or not your body warms up.

There are many kinds of kites, so it’s fun to agonize over which one to choose.

If possible, you want to send it far and high, right?

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Winter Canoe

Winter canoeing & marshland watching

Winter Canoe

Winter canoeing is all about paddling down a river in the colder months.

The paddling motion engages your whole body, warming you up nicely.

Enjoy the winter to the fullest while taking in the beautiful scenery! If there’s a place nearby where you can try it, definitely give it a go.

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Airboard

Strike a cool turn on the airboard♪

Airboard

It’s an activity where you ride a boat-shaped sled down a snowy slope.

You can enjoy a different sense of speed and thrill from skiing or snowboarding.

It’s a fresh, winter-only sport—give it a try!

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Curling

Winter Sports School in Summer, Part 3: FY2018 Curling & Skating Trial Event – Curling Trial Event Video

Curling

Curling is a winter sport that has been attracting attention as an Olympic event.

Because it’s not an intense physical activity, even elementary school children can enjoy it.

The thrill of sliding a stone exactly where you aim is quite something.

Forming a family team and entering a tournament also sounds like fun.

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