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 (21–30)
Blind tasting showdownNEW!
The “blind tasting” showdown that livens up cherry-blossom viewing is a simple, exciting game that kids and adults can enjoy together.
With rules where you’re blindfolded and guess the taste or aroma of snacks and drinks, using different senses than usual naturally leads to laughter.
You can adjust the difficulty so even small children can take part, and it’s fun for adults too, who are often surprised by unexpected results.
Turning it into a team match or taking turns makes it even more exciting.
Relying on your senses under the cherry blossoms turns hanami time into a playful, game-like experience you’ll enjoy even more!
Field BingoNEW!
This is an activity that both children and adults can enjoy while observing nature together.
You look for and check off the items on pre-made bingo cards—such as cherry blossoms, spring plants, birds, and insects.
Because it feels like a game, it’s easy to get absorbed even while taking a walk.
Taking photos of what you find and sharing discoveries with everyone also helps spark conversation.
While getting some physical activity, you can nurture observation skills and curiosity, making time for cherry-blossom viewing more enjoyable and educational with family and friends.
Whistling with a petal!NEW!
The “petal whistle” made with cherry blossom petals is a traditional pastime you can enjoy casually during hanami.
Lightly pinch a petal between your fingers and blow, and it makes a gentle peeping sound that brings smiles all around.
Even if you can’t get a sound at first, learning the knack is part of the fun, and it captivates both kids and adults.
Anyone can start right away, and it’s nice that you don’t need any special tools.
Let the sound ring out beneath the cherry trees and savor a springtime moment like no other.
It also sparks conversation and makes your hanami memories all the warmer.
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.
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!
7 park games kids can play without equipment
Park games that everyone from small children to adults can enjoy together without any preparation are great because they can be played with whoever happens to be there.
Hopscotch, hand-pushing sumo, number games, playing house, shadow play, and drawing are all familiar activities that don’t require any equipment.
You can also use natural materials like pebbles and sticks, which makes it easy to invent games and come up with original rules with friends.
Let’s make the most of the wide-open space of the park and have fun moving our whole bodies with games that can only be enjoyed in such a setting.
Rock-paper-scissors game
This is a game that requires quick reflexes.
First, both players choose their positions, then play rock-paper-scissors.
The winner chases, and the loser runs away.
Decide on a safe line beforehand: if the loser reaches the line without being tagged, they’re safe; if they’re tagged before reaching it, they’re out.
Because you must instantly judge whether you won or lost and move accordingly, the rules are simple but it’s a lot of fun.
If you play in teams, discuss in advance and decide whether your team will throw rock, paper, or scissors.
If it’s a tie, shake hands and play rock-paper-scissors again!
Classic and fun! Flag-raising game
When you hear the names Akira Eguchi, Takeshi Kishino, and Rin Maeda, which group comes to mind? If you can answer this, you’re quite the comedy aficionado.
The answer is the Nonsense Trio.
They were essentially the originators of the “Flag-Raising Skit,” famous for the phrase “Raise the red, lower the white.” Let’s have some fun with this “flag-raising game,” which feels fresh to the younger generation.
You can easily make the flags by sewing red and white handkerchiefs onto sticks.
It’s especially fun to line up a bunch of people and compete in a big group.
Since it’s a game where differences in physical strength don’t matter, adults should definitely jump in and play alongside the kids!
Hiragana Bingo for Everyone
Hiragana Bingo is a slightly brain-teasing game that kids can play on their own with just paper and a pen.
You write your favorite hiragana characters on a 4-by-4 grid (16 squares), pass the sheets around, and then, using the card you receive, take turns saying words, aiming for bingo.
It really tests the kids’ vocabulary—how quickly can they open up their own squares?