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 hanami even more fun! A collection of recreation and game ideas to play with kids (1–10)
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!
Cherry Blossom Torn-Paper Collage
Tearing tissue paper is fun! Here’s a craft idea for making a cherry blossom tree using tissue paper.
What you’ll need: tissue paper, construction paper, a brown crayon, and glue.
First, tear the tissue paper into small pieces.
Next, use the brown crayon to draw a tree on the construction paper.
Apply plenty of glue where you want to stick the tissue paper, then press the torn tissue pieces on top—and you’re done! It’s also great to make these outdoors with children while viewing real cherry blossoms.
Feel free to add your favorite decorations, or even try using real cherry blossom petals you pick up during hanami.
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.
Make cherry-blossom viewing even more fun! A collection of recreation and game ideas to play with kids (11–20)
Let’s break off a cherry blossom branch.
How about making cherry blossoms using just origami paper and scissors? After going flower-viewing and being moved by the beauty of the blossoms, some children may want to enjoy cherry blossoms at home too.
But you can’t exactly take real blossoms home.
So why not make cherry blossoms out of origami and decorate your house with lots of them? The folding is a bit unusual, but you only make straight folds, and then you use scissors.
When you cut and unfold it… it becomes the shape of a cherry blossom.
With one final touch—a few small folds—the flower becomes three-dimensional.
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!
Fun! Ninja play
How about trying a game that gets you moving during a warm cherry-blossom viewing? In this “Ninja Play,” kids become ninjas together with adults, listening carefully to instructions, freezing on cue, and striking poses like throwing shuriken.
If everyone gets into character as ninjas and plays together, it’s sure to be a hit.
Tag
How about playing tag, the classic recreation game? It’s a great choice regardless of group size—fun with just a few or with many—and people of different ages can all enjoy it together.
Kids who are bored with adult chatter can suddenly get moving, and it would be fun for adults to join in as well.
If you have a large space, it’ll be even more exciting.
Let’s move our bodies to the fullest and soak up plenty of fresh air outdoors.