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 the Fun Going Indoors! Winter Activities That Kids and Adults Alike Will Enjoy (41–50)

finger knitting

No knitting needles needed! Finger-knit scarf [Easy knitting, hand knitting, yarn]

finger knitting

For those who say, “It’s cold, but I want to play! I don’t want to go out though!” how about finger knitting? Knitting with your fingers is easier than conventional knitting.

If it’s something simple, even small children can make it, so it seems perfect for parents and kids to enjoy together.

It also helps you learn the challenges of making things, so it’s a recommended activity from an educational perspective too.

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Get the fun going indoors! Winter activities kids and adults can enjoy (51–60)

aquarium

30 minutes before closing! Speed-running the aquarium on a super lightning tour!! Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium ☆ himawari-CH

aquarium

Aquariums are an activity you can enjoy all year round.

Inside, the temperature is kept comfortable, so you can have a pleasant time even in the cold winter.

It’s also great that you can see a variety of fish regardless of the season.

This is a recommended activity for those who want to stay warm while leisurely watching sea creatures.

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Making stone-baked sweet potatoes

Easy stone-baked sweet potatoes!!

Making stone-baked sweet potatoes

When the weather turns cold, I start craving stone-roasted sweet potatoes.

They’re a hallmark of winter, aren’t they? That said, many people probably don’t know how they’re actually made.

So here’s an idea for making stone-roasted sweet potatoes at home.

It’s an easy, DIY approach.

First, prepare a can of a suitable size.

Put stones inside, heat them, and let them dry.

Next, add the sweet potatoes, burying them among the hot stones.

After some time, they’ll be done.

It’s such a treat to enjoy freshly made stone-roasted sweet potatoes.

By the way, using other vegetables also turns out delicious.

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work experience

An event in Sapporo with over 100 booths, including job-experience activities, where visitors can learn the importance of eating

work experience

You often see news announcing rankings of jobs that children admire, right? But we want them to have various experiences, to broaden their horizons even a little, and to try out different possibilities, don’t we? Nowadays, at career experience facilities, kids can thoroughly and carefully try their hand at detailed tasks and learn from them.

Even jobs they weren’t that interested in can become intriguing once they try them, leading them to look into them more and broaden their perspective.

Makes adults want to try it too, doesn’t it? (lol)

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Snowball fight

Snowball fights have evolved this far—don’t fall behind!

Snowball fight

Let’s forget the cold and work up a good sweat with a snowball fight! There are even tools sold for making lots of snowballs, so check them out if you’re interested.

In some areas, tournaments are held, too.

Forming a team and giving it a try could be fun!

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In conclusion

We’ve introduced plenty of winter-only ways to have fun—from indoor activities you can enjoy in a warm room to traditional games that get big groups excited.

Whether you want to move your body without worrying about the cold, relax in cozy comfort, or play together as a group, the style is entirely up to you.

Use these ideas as a guide and make the most of a winter that warms both your body and your heart!