Lovely Play & Recreation

Liven up your children’s club event! A collection of ideas everyone can enjoy

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
Keyboard playerSAKI
I’ve been playing the Electone since I was six, mainly performing Disney music, anime songs, and music from dramas and films. I post performance videos on YouTube and social media, and I also give concerts. Building on my Electone experience, I took up synthesizer and piano during my student years and performed at school-sponsored events. As a writer, I’ve covered not only music-related topics but a wide range of genres, so I hope to draw on my experience to deliver articles that make readers think, “I want to try that!” or “I want to listen to that!”

Children’s club events tend to end up feeling the same every time, which can be a real headache.

Even when you try to get creative, there are limits like budget and venue, plus the kids’ ages are all over the map.

So here, we’re sharing ideas for children’s club events that have actually been well received—from bingo tournaments to handmade festivals to seasonal parties.

They’re fun for both kids and adults, and relatively easy to prepare.

You’re sure to find tips for creating wonderful memories filled with smiles!

Get the Crowd Going at Kids’ Club Events! Fun Ideas for Everyone to Enjoy (21–30)

Quiz tournament

[Black-and-White Quiz] Try to remember the original colors of the ice cream boxes and bags! #Quiz #IceCream #KillingTime

Quiz tournament

A classic activity for recreation games and fun gatherings: a quiz competition.

It’s a recommended game because you don’t have to worry about the number of participants, you can choose questions that fit the situation, and it works for both short and long time slots—perfect for many different occasions.

You can give kids their favorite riddles, or, if you have a screen, try quizzes that use images or videos.

Buzz-in, raising hands, or having participants run up to press an answer button are all great options too (haha).

If you have a large group, making it a team competition really amps up the excitement and lets mixed ages enjoy it together.

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Thousand-string Fishing (Senbon-tsuri)

Perfect for summer festivals and events☆Senbon-tsuri (lucky fishing game)

Thousand-string Fishing (Senbon-tsuri)

The festival game Senbon Tsuri that everyone loves—I’ve heard some regions call it “Senbon Biki.” What about in your area? In Senbon Tsuri, you pull a string that’s connected to a prize, and you get whatever you hit.

It’s fun precisely because it’s so simple: you just pull a string.

I wonder if old-fashioned candy shops still have small lottery games modeled after Senbon Tsuri.

If the prizes are candy and snacks, it’s an activity everyone can enjoy, from little kids to slightly older boys and girls.

At a large venue, a jumbo Senbon Tsuri could even be the main attraction!

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Taki no namida pin ku

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Candy fishing

I tried doing a candy fishing game at home!

Candy fishing

How about trying a candy fishing game using treats that kids love? Gather candies in various shapes and sizes—from small sweets to big bags and boxes—and try fishing for them! For the fishing rod, attach a string to the end of a stick and put a sturdy magnet at the end of the string.

Using adhesive sheet magnets on the candies will make preparation easy.

You can assign points based on how easy the candies are to catch and their size, and compete for the total score to make it more exciting.

When you’re done, everyone can enjoy the candies they caught!

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Festivals and temple fairs

[Festival] I went to the PTA festival and got to interact with lots of students!

Festivals and temple fairs

Recommended for summer events! Introducing festivals and fair stalls.

In summer, local festivals and fireworks displays often feature traditional fair booths.

How about an event where you enjoy the festival and fair together with the children? It would be great if each booth were planned by parents so that both kids and adults can have fun.

For example, serve dishes like curry and yakisoba, and offer activities like origami and puzzle-solving.

Let’s create a handmade festival with a variety of ideas and make lasting memories.

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Christmas party

Christmas party

Christmas party

December’s big event! Let’s introduce a Christmas party.

Many of you may be planning to host a Christmas party at a kindergarten, nursery, after-school program, or at home.

For a PTA event, try organizing a large-scale Christmas party! For example, explaining the origins and meaning of Christmas in a way that’s easy for children to understand can deepen their learning about the holiday.

Of course, it’s also great to have Santa Claus make an appearance and hand out presents.

Let’s make it an event that everyone can enjoy, even with a large group, through songs and crafts!

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dance

[Dance] Jamboree Mickey [Tried Dancing!]

dance

How about trying a dance that creates a sense of unity? When it comes to dance, there are many styles—hip-hop, jazz, ballet, ballroom, and more.

For a PTA event, why not have parents and children dance together to lively routines set to music that kids are familiar with? Just seeing their parents having fun will warm the children’s hearts.

Adding choreography that involves parent–child cooperation could make for wonderful memories.

Let’s arrange something using popular trending songs and give it a try.

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bazaar

Scenes from the PTA bazaar

bazaar

An event that’s also eco-friendly! Let me introduce a bazaar.

A bazaar is an exhibit-and-sale event where people bring items and sell them on the spot.

Participants can sell vegetables or accessories they made, or items they no longer need from home—feel free to try selling all sorts of things.

At a bazaar, you might have unexpected encounters or find items you’ve been wanting, making it enjoyable for both children and adults.

It’s ideal to hold it in a spacious venue like a community center or hall.

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