[Childcare] August Events: A roundup of activities to experience seasonal atmosphere, culture, and customs
At nursery schools and kindergartens, there are activities and events almost every month that let children experience the seasons.
Teachers who plan these may be thinking, “What kind of event should we hold next month?”
In this article, we’ll introduce a range of activities and events that are perfect for this time of year—ones that let children have fun while also exposing them to culture and traditions.
This time, we’re focusing on August, the height of summer.
We’ll cover everything from classic summer activities to some lesser-known customs, so please use this as a reference.
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Summer Fun (1–10)
Making curry and rice
In April, making curry rice with spring vegetables is highly recommended.
Use new-season onions and potatoes to enjoy the flavors of the season.
Let’s cook together with the kids using vegetables unique to spring, full of natural sweetness.
Since knives and other tools are involved, it’s best to have the children take the lead in the cooking process.
For 1–2-year-olds, it’s a great idea to have them help by tearing spring cabbage or red leaf lettuce for a salad.
Be sure to try cooking with spring vegetables!
Watermelon splitting
Watermelon splitting is a game where you’re blindfolded and, relying on the voices around you, you shout “Here goes!” and bring a stick down.
It’s an event that lets you feel the essence of summer with your eyes, ears, and taste buds.
If you have the kids do it, it’s sure to be a huge hit.
“A little farther forward!” “Slightly right—no, too far, go left!” You can just picture everyone getting carried away and shouting.
Once it’s cracked open, you slice it up neatly and share it with everyone.
It’s a great way to experience an old-fashioned Japanese summer.
summer festival
When you think of summer festivals, you picture classic scenes like food stalls, bon odori dances, and fireworks lighting up the night sky.
They’re events that bring smiles to everyone—adults and children alike! Wearing yukata together, uchiwa fans in hand as you stroll around the venue—that feeling really makes you savor the thought, “Ah, it’s summer.” There are so many tempting stalls: tasty yakisoba, takoyaki, shaved ice, and candy apples, plus ring toss, shooting games, and raffles that delight the child in all of us.
If you search on YouTube, you’ll find videos of summer festivals held at preschools and kindergartens all across Japan.
If you’re thinking, “We want to add something new to our own summer festival,” be sure to check them out!
Summer Fun (11–20)
test of courage
A summer event that makes you forget the heat before you know it: the kimodameshi (test of courage).
That thrilling feeling of walking through the dark where there might be ghosts can be addictive.
Some of you may be thinking, “Maybe we should hold one at the kindergarten’s summer festival.” Feeling “scared” is part of the kimodameshi, but when it’s for children, making it too frightening is a no-go.
Consider making the route maze-like to add fun, having teachers accompany the kids, and being mindful of their feelings.
Day of XX (1–10)
Mountain Day
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Mountain Day is a national holiday set on August 11, intended as a day to become familiar with and give thanks to the mountains.
It’s recommended to visit a nearby place with lots of trees, spend time in the shade, and take in the greenery to feel close to nature.
If that’s difficult, you can still appreciate the mountains by going to a park with hills or gazing at distant mountains.
In the spirit of gratitude toward the mountains, you might also touch on products around us made from wood and, together with children, think about how the trees from the mountains help make our lives more convenient.
Pineapple Day
August 17 is known as Pineapple Day in Japan because of a wordplay on the date.
How about serving pineapple at snack time in nurseries and kindergartens to celebrate? You could simply hand out cut pineapple, but preparing Okinawa’s “snack pine,” which can be pulled apart piece by piece, and letting the children pull it apart themselves might make them even happier.
It could also be fun to add other fruits to the cut pineapple and make a fruit punch together with the children.
Toothbrush Day
August 24 has reportedly been designated as Toothbrush Day.
How about using this as an opportunity to share the importance of toothbrushing with children in a fun way? In addition to reading picture books about teeth, you could create and perform a whiteboard theater show so the kids can enjoy learning about the importance of brushing.
You might also take this chance to go a step further with care, such as giving one-on-one toothbrushing guidance using actual toothbrushes.