[For Kids] Fun Activities for Cherry-Blossom Viewing: Recreation and Games
When we think of spring, we think of cherry blossoms—and cherry blossoms mean hanami, right?
In this article, we’ll introduce games and activities that are perfect for kids at hanami!
Hanami often takes place in parks or small open spaces.
Parks are great because they have playground equipment for children, but not all hanami spots are equipped with play structures.
We’ve gathered activities and games that kids won’t get bored with anywhere, and that the whole family and friends can enjoy together!
We’ll introduce a variety of ideas, from classic outdoor games that require no equipment to activities that make use of nature.
Be sure to check them out!
- [For Adults] Fun Games to Liven Up Your Cherry-Blossom Viewing: Recreation and Party Games
- Fun! Spring activities for children: recreation and hands-on play
- Outdoor games and recreational activities recommended for children
- [Play Right Away!] Exciting Recreation Games Recommended for Elementary School Students
- [For Kids] Today's Recommended Recreation Idea Collection
- Fun nature activities that children will love. Recreational games.
- Nostalgic games that were popular when we were kids
- Indoor games and recreational activities recommended for spring
- A collection of simple indoor recreational games
- [For Kids] Let’s Play in English! A Collection of Fun Recreational Activities and Games
- A roundup of fun games and recreational activities using balloons
- [Elementary School] Games and Recreational Activities to Enjoy at a Forest School Camp
- Backyard play ideas: Easy ways to have fun with kids! How to make use of your garden
[For Kids] Recommended Games for Cherry-Blossom Viewing: Recreation & Games (1–10)
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.
Easy DIY! Ring Toss Game
When you’re relaxing and enjoying cherry blossom viewing in a warm park, how about trying a simple ring toss as a little game? All you need are an empty plastic bottle and some newspaper to get set up.
Kids love ring toss, don’t they? You could also line up some snacks instead of plastic bottles to give it a festival vibe—it’s sure to be a hit.
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!”
[For Kids] Fun Activities for Cherry-Blossom Viewing: Recreational Games (11–20)
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!
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.
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.
Soap bubble
These are soap bubbles you can play with outdoors—perfect for cherry blossom viewing.
They’re such a timeless classic that they hardly need an explanation, but they add a charming touch that enhances the beauty of hanami.
Lately, there are lots of products like bazooka-style bubble makers and giant bubbles, so it’s fun to play with those, too!