plaything; playing with a toy
Refers to a toy or the act of playing with something in one's hands; often used for simple, handheld amusements.
子供が手遊びに夢中になっている。
The child is absorbed in playing with a toy.
A somewhat old-fashioned or euphemistic term for gambling, implying it is a mere pastime.
昔は手遊びが高じて身を持ち崩す者も多かった。
In the past, many people ruined themselves through gambling.
hand-game; activity using hand gestures
Specifically refers to games or songs involving hand movements, such as clapping games or finger plays, often for children.
保育園で手遊び歌を教えてもらった。
I learned a hand-play song at nursery school.
手遊び歌 is a common compound specifically for songs with hand gestures, while 手遊び alone can refer to the activity itself.
Standard kanji spelling.
Mixed kana spelling, sometimes used for clarity or in children's contexts.
Compound of 手 (hand) and 遊び (play). The gambling sense likely developed from the idea of a pastime done with the hands.