Lovely birthday

[Make It a Day to Remember] A Collection of Ideas to Liven Up a Birthday Party!

Keyboard playerSAKI
I’ve been playing the Electone since I was six, mainly performing Disney music, anime songs, and music from dramas and films. I post performance videos on YouTube and social media, and I also give concerts. Building on my Electone experience, I took up synthesizer and piano during my student years and performed at school-sponsored events. As a writer, I’ve covered not only music-related topics but a wide range of genres, so I hope to draw on my experience to deliver articles that make readers think, “I want to try that!” or “I want to listen to that!”
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!

Here are some ideas to make your birthday party even more exciting!

A typical birthday party has blowing out candles, eating cake, and giving presents.

But don’t you think it would be even more fun if you added surprising twists, performances that wow everyone, and memorable activities?

We’ve gathered plenty of ideas that everyone—from kids to adults—will enjoy, such as handmade items, games everyone can join, and touching surprises.

Feel free to use them as inspiration!

Since birthdays come only once a year, take your time and create unforgettable moments together with everyone!

[A Day to Remember] A Collection of Ideas to Liven Up Birthday Parties! (41–50)

Paper Cup Pyramid

I want to build a pyramid over 2 meters tall using paper cups.

Paper Cup Pyramid

There used to be a toy where you’d stack cups in a pyramid and then clear them away quickly, right? I think the sport was called Speed Stacks.

The idea of seeing how high you can stack them within a time limit is exciting, but don’t you think competing for speed like in Speed Stacks is just as thrilling?

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[Make it a day to remember] A collection of ideas to liven up birthday parties! (51–60)

kamishibai (paper theater)

Omusubi Kororin Kamishibai

kamishibai (paper theater)

Kamishibai, the traditional paper theater that children of every generation have enjoyed.

Times may change, but I’m sure everyone watched all kinds of stories when they were kids.

While kamishibai often features popular tales like old folktales, its real charm is how flexible it is—you can ad-lib and weave in different lines.

Creating your own original story as a kamishibai is wonderful, too.

You could even make a kamishibai based on a birthday theme or turn the story of the day’s star—the birthday person—into a kamishibai.

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Draw a Line

Koshien Stadium, marking the foul lines before the game.

Draw a Line

This is an extremely simple game my friend came up with.

The rules are easy: prepare a piece of paper and a pen, draw a 10-centimeter line freehand, and whoever gets closest to 10 centimeters wins.

Don’t dismiss it as trivial—when seasoned players face off, a difference of just a few millimeters can decide the match, making it a surprisingly deep game.

It’s guaranteed to get more exciting the more people you play with.

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Picture shiritori

[New Game] YouTuber Picture Shiritori!!

Picture shiritori

Pictionary shiritori is a pretty tough game for people who aren’t good at drawing.

You play shiritori by drawing: you look at what the previous person drew and then draw something whose word connects to it.

If the first person isn’t good at drawing, you might have no idea what’s going on until the very end.

That, in its own way, makes it fun and lively, though.

Try adding a time limit—like 30 seconds per drawing! All you need is paper and a pen, so it’s the perfect game when you’ve got a bit of time and want to liven things up.

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Send a celebratory LINE message to everyone at once

Isn’t almost everyone keeping in touch with friends on LINE? Here’s a surprise idea: send a flood of celebratory LINE messages all at once.

The plan is to decide on a time in advance and have everyone send their congratulatory messages simultaneously.

If you send from individual chats, the screens will fill up with celebration messages, boosting the sense of happiness.

Try thinking up warm messages to send.

As a variation, you can also send stickers or gifts.

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Pop-out! Gimmick cake

[Experiment] I Tried Making a Pop-Out Gimmick Cake! [Yocchi’s Birthday Surprise]

Pop-out! Gimmick cake

Pop-out surprise cakes are so exciting, aren’t they? Just when you think it’s a regular cake, you slice it and chocolate spills out—kids and adults alike can’t help but smile.

It’s sure to make any birthday party even more fun! Plus, the ingredients and steps are simple, so anyone can give it a try.

If you make one for friends or family, it’s a great way to show your appreciation, and the sense of accomplishment when it’s done is extra special.

Spending a lively, shared moment on a special birthday is wonderful, isn’t it? Definitely give it a try!

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puppet show

(4) Kobe Anpanman Children’s Museum & Mall Puppet Show

puppet show

Puppet shows—many of us loved them as children, didn’t we? They’re especially easy for little ones to understand, and depending on the story, kids of all ages can enjoy them together.

How about putting on a puppet show at a birthday party? If you use puppets of characters the children love, they’ll surely watch with rapt attention and have a great time.

You can also use dolls or stuffed animals you have at home to create an original story—it’s bound to delight everyone and become a memorable experience.

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