Part 2: Indoor Play in September — Autumn Recreations to Enjoy with Children

[Panel Theatre] What was that thing you decorate for the moon-viewing festival?

[September] What do we offer for Moon Viewing? Panel Theater [Full Moon Night/Mid-Autumn Festival]

Moon-viewing is the tradition of admiring the beautiful moon floating in the autumn night sky.

This panel theater, “Otsukimi Kazaru no Nandakke,” teaches in a fun and playful way about the offerings made for moon-viewing.

Many children know that rice dumplings (dango) are offered, but quite a few may not know about decorating with pampas grass (susuki).

With its catchy, memorable melody and familiar, repetitive lyrics, children can get excited and deepen their interest in moon-viewing.

It’s also recommended to use before moon-viewing crafts or pretend play related to the festival.

[Hand Play] Moon-Viewing Pattan

[September October Autumn Moon-Viewing Hand Play] Otsukimi Pettan 〈Must Read〉 Tips and variations for using it in childcare are listed in the description below. Lyrics/Music: Boku to Kimi.

Let us introduce “Otsukimi Pettan,” a perfect hand-play song for autumn! The lyrics describe a bunny living on the moon pounding mochi, making it a fun way for children to enjoy the moon-viewing season.

Become the bunny, clap both hands with a peta-peta sound, and then munch, munch on the finished mochi! The key is to exaggerate the actions as much as possible.

You can also adjust it to the children’s age—speed up the tempo during the mochi-pounding part, or pretend to use chopsticks while eating the mochi—to make it even more fun.

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miyabi

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Making ohagi for the equinoctial week

Ohigan: Various ways to make Ohagi (sweet rice balls)

Speaking of holidays in September, there’s the Autumnal Equinox Day.

It’s the day when daylight and nighttime are equal, and in Buddhism it’s believed to be a time when our feelings reach our ancestors more easily.

People make offerings using red beans harvested in autumn.

Red azuki beans are said to ward off evil, and by offering them to our ancestors, people prayed for everyone’s health and happiness.

While regular azuki bean ohagi are the most common, if you’re making a lot, it might be nice to add some variety in flavors.

Please try making them together with everyone.

Let’s make clacking naruko (clappers)

[Kindergarten/Daycare] September: Make It with Milk Cartons! Clack-Clack Naruko Craft/Instrument

Here’s a craft project recommended for kindergarteners.

At this age, more children tend to become interested in sound-making instruments.

After making it, they can have fun shaking it to a rhythm like a percussion instrument, or using it as a cheer item at sports day to liven things up.

Add your own unique design on the outside to create a one-of-a-kind naruko.

It’s also great that it can be easily made using recycled materials—specifically plastic bottle caps.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Karaoke on a smartphone

Singing my heart out with a karaoke mic on my smartphone!!

I think there are many people who love karaoke.

During the Silver Week holidays in September, a lot of people go to karaoke, so the shops might be crowded.

Also, if you want to sing after having a dinner gathering at home but don’t feel like going out, there are microphones you can connect to your smartphone and sing with.

They even have proper echo functions, so it feels like real karaoke.

Just be mindful of the neighbors and have fun singing!

movie watching

7 Personally Recommended Anime Movies

People have long called autumn the season for reading, but with the rise of video recently, there may be fewer children who read.

There are also plenty of great movies and anime that seem easier to watch than reading.

Japanese anime in particular is wonderful and highly regarded overseas.

I hope families and friends will watch various such works together and help children grow up with rich hearts.

There are also older foreign animations that are still enjoyable today.

Please try having a family movie time.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Play around picture books

[For toddlers] The Harvest Moon is coming soon! Play activities inspired by picture books

When it comes to indoor activities, reading is the go-to, and autumn means reading, doesn’t it? I think many preschoolers love read-alouds and picture books.

Here, we won’t just read books about moon viewing; after reading, we’ll have fun making the items that appear in the stories using clay or colored paper.

Since it’s right after reading, their imagination and motivation to create might be higher than usual! You can make classic moon-viewing dumplings out of paper clay, craft rabbits, or create a perfectly round moon with yellow paper—I can just picture everyone giggling and having a great time.

Be sure to prepare moon-viewing-themed background music to set the mood.

It should be fine for children ages 4–5 and up.