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)
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?
Make Cherry Blossom Viewing Even More Fun! A Collection of Recreation and Game Ideas to Play with Kids (31–40)
A clover flower crown
When you go to a park or riverbank where lots of flowers like white clover and dandelions are in bloom, kids can have fun just by picking flowers.
Since you’re there, gather plenty of blossoms and enjoy a springtime activity by making crowns and rings together.
The children will be thrilled with their lovely crowns and rings.
It’s also nice to keep them on display until they become dried flowers.
My dress
It’s the season when many flowers bloom in full glory—cherry blossoms, dandelions, white clover, and more.
Why not pick some of these flowers and create your very own dress? The idea is to draw a person wearing a dress on paper, then complete the dress’s pattern by gluing real flowers onto it.
All you do is gather and paste—so it shouldn’t take much time or effort.
If you do this each season and take photos to keep a record, it will become a yearly keepsake.
Isn’t it a wonderful idea to fully enjoy spring?
Karaoke Contest
A classic recreational activity: karaoke.
It’s something everyone can enjoy, from kids to seniors.
Not long ago, karaoke required bulky equipment, but these days you can have fun with just a single microphone—there are models with built-in speakers, and even smartphone apps that let you enjoy karaoke.
While it could be a nuisance in crowded areas where picnic sheets are close together, karaoke would likely be a big hit at a private hanami gathering with just your group.
coyote
Perfect for cherry blossom viewing! Let me introduce the card game “Coyote,” which both adults and kids can enjoy together.
First, each player sticks a card to their forehead without looking at it, so only the other players can see it.
On each turn, everyone totals the numbers on the visible cards, and you must call out “Coyote!” without going over that total.
If the total is exceeded, you’re out.
The last person remaining wins.
For hanami, it’s also a great idea to prepare some prizes! Make your cherry blossom outing one to remember.
Tissue Catch Game
A game you can play with just tissues: the Tissue Catch Game.
One way to play is to drop a tissue from up high as it flutters down and try to catch it.
But in this version, everyone participating holds a single tissue.
While moving around as usual—walking, sitting, and so on—someone suddenly drops their tissue.
The others try to react instantly and grab it.
If no one reacts and it hits the ground, that’s a miss.
The player who collects the most tissues wins.