Make cherry blossom viewing even more fun! A collection of recreation and game ideas to play with kids
With the warm spring weather inviting us outside, many of you are probably planning to go cherry-blossom viewing with your children.
At hanami, you don’t just want to admire the cherry blossoms—you also want to include recreations and games that parents and kids can fully enjoy together.
In this article, we’ll introduce a wide range of ideas to make your hanami time even more special, from sakura-themed games and active movement play to simple activities that require no equipment.
Make the most of those spring moments filled with children’s smiles!
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Make cherry-blossom viewing even more fun! A collection of recreation and game ideas to play with kids (11–20)
High TagNEW!
Let me introduce “Taka-oni,” a tag game where you can’t be tagged when you’re in a high place.
The basic rule is that one chaser (the “oni”) pursues the others (“children”), and whoever is tagged becomes the new oni.
In Taka-oni, there’s an added rule: if a child escapes to a high place, they can’t be tagged.
However, being up high doesn’t make you safe forever—each child can stay in the same spot for only 10 seconds.
After 10 seconds, the oni is allowed to tag them, so the child should run away or move to another high place.
Let’s try whistling on a grass blade.
A grass whistle is made by blowing on a leaf pressed to your lips.
Many adults probably played with one as children.
It’s a curious instrument—how does it make sound?—and there seem to be a few tricks to getting it to sing.
First, the type of leaf you choose changes the tone.
Good spring choices include azalea, glossy privet, coralberry, and akebia.
Hold the leaf by pinching both ends between your thumbs and index fingers, and instead of merely touching it to your lips, put it slightly in your mouth as if to hold it gently.
Then blow… and you’ll get a cheerful, high “peeeep!”
With a large group! Relay game
Spring brings warmer temperatures, making it perfect for exercising, doesn’t it? How about trying a relay race at such times? A regular relay is fun, but try turning it into a heated competition with a variety of events—like three-legged relays, hula-hoop relays, or soccer dribbling relays!
Catching Cherry Blossom Petals
Cherry-blossom viewing season has arrived! During this time when sakura petals gently drift through the air, why not enjoy a game with the kids catching falling petals? Have a fun time competing with them to see “Who can catch the most petals?” Stretch out your hands to catch them, or quickly grab them before the wind carries them away, and you’ll fill the moment with laughter.
Through this simple game, share the heartwarming arrival of spring with the children and create special springtime memories together.
Drawing in the sand
Perfect for cherry-blossom viewing! Here’s a fun activity for kids: drawing in the sand with tree branches.
Hanami usually means going to a park, right? Look for a nearby sandbox.
Then, grab a few small branches or sticks.
Give them to the children and let them draw freely on the sand.
Flowers, animals, favorite characters—anything their imagination inspires is fair game.
They can enjoy the festive hanami atmosphere while they play.
Savor the arrival of spring and try this drawing activity together!
Drawing at a cherry blossom viewing!NEW!
A gentle, classic recreation where you can freely express yourself while feeling the beauty of cherry blossoms.
Using crayons or colored pencils to draw cherry blossom scenes, you can capture the colors and shapes as you see them in your own way—something both children and adults can get absorbed in.
The key is to enjoy the atmosphere and what you feel in the moment rather than focusing on drawing well.
Creating art outdoors brings a sense of openness and sparks different ideas than usual.
The finished pieces become memories to keep and enjoy looking back on later.
Spend a relaxed time in nature, letting your heart move freely.
Great for events too! Treasure HuntNEW!
The popular recreation “treasure hunt” is fun for both kids and adults.
Hide small treasures and hint cards in parks or open spaces, and search for them using maps and quizzes as clues.
You can split into teams and compete, or everyone can cooperate to reach the goal—the ways to play are up to you.
By adjusting the difficulty, everyone from young children to adults can get totally absorbed.
It naturally sparks conversations and smiles, making it easy for even first-timers to break the ice.
Since you can enjoy the scenery while being active, consider adding it to your cherry-blossom viewing time.
Making a cherry blossom sensory bottleNEW!
@kichijyo We made sensory bottles using cherry blossoms we found during hanami. The blossoms drifted slowly and sparkled—it was so beautiful!#Nursery schoolSpring#CherryBlossomProduction#Sensory bottleGunmaFujioka CityNursery school lunch
♬ Fun / everyday / cute BGM(947218) – Shinnosuke Shibata
How about taking a relaxing moment during your cherry-blossom viewing to enjoy a sakura-themed “sensory bottle”? Fill a clear bottle with water, glitter, pink materials, and flower petals to create your own little world of spring.
Just watching it sway gently can calm the mind, offering soothing moments not only for children but for adults as well.
The materials are easy to find and can be enjoyed safely, which is another plus.
You can take the finished bottle home as a keepsake, preserving your cherry-blossom memories in a tangible form.
Enjoy making one with family and friends while soaking in the colors of spring.
Blowing soap bubbles while viewing cherry blossomsNEW!
How about a soothing, heartwarming bubble-blowing idea? Bubbles floating gently into the air overlap with the full-bloom cherry blossoms, spreading a dreamlike, magical scene.
There are many ways to play—try making giant bubbles or sending off lots of tiny ones—and people of all ages can enjoy it.
It’s fun to work with the wind’s direction, and because it’s easy to capture in photos and videos, it’s perfect for making memories.
In the gentle spring air, smiles and conversation naturally blossom, making your hanami time even more special and unforgettable.
Give it a try with family and friends.
Vague Memory Drawing GameNEW!
If everyone draws a picture from memory without looking at the prompt and then shares their finished works, the unexpected and funny results will keep everyone laughing.
It’s a game that values ideas and imagination over drawing skill, so people of all ages and skill levels can join in, which is part of its charm.
Doing it under the cherry blossoms, surrounded by nature, adds a sense of openness and makes the atmosphere even more relaxed.
Chatting while looking at the finished drawings and taking photos of the unique creations will make cherry-blossom viewing with family and friends even more fun and memorable.