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 excitement going at your kids’ club event! A collection of fun ideas for everyone (31–40)

An ensemble with kitchen utensils

[Ensemble with Kitchen Utensils!!] “The Parade of the Tin Soldiers” [Flower Beat]

An ensemble with kitchen utensils

If you want to play in an ensemble but don’t have instruments, this is a must-see! How about enjoying a group performance using kitchen utensils? There are all sorts of items in the kitchen—cutting boards and knives, ladles and frying pans, rice paddles and mixing bowls.

Since each is made from different materials, combining them lets you create unique sounds! It’s also great that most households already have these items.

If everyone synchronizes their timing like in the video, you’ll get a real sense of unity and a polished ensemble.

Give it a try for inspiration!

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Clapping Fantasy

Fun March: Clapping Fantasy Music Festival

Clapping Fantasy

Let me introduce a lively performance that uses your own hands: Clapping Fantasy, which is also featured in elementary school music textbooks.

You’ll clap along to the instruments.

Try getting everyone to clap in unison, or split into clapping and non-clapping parts for variety.

The instrument can be a piano, a recorder, or a keyboard harmonica.

You can even swap handclaps for castanets or bells to make it even more fun.

When the clapping and instruments come together, both the audience and the children performing will feel their excitement rise.

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Tambourine Ensemble Piece

[Tambourine Ensemble Piece] For upper elementary grades – Music recital: “Happiness Tambourina” [Composed by Akiko Yamamoto]

Tambourine Ensemble Piece

A tambourine makes sound in simple ways, like hitting or shaking it.

While keeping the rhythm on a tambourine, try striking a pose together with everyone.

It’s also fun to play the tambourine while doing a wave—sitting or standing in a line one after another.

If all the children perform with smiles, a cheerful atmosphere will fill the venue.

Watching such a tambourine ensemble is sure to lift people’s spirits.

Having someone on drums as well would make it even more exciting.

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reading drama

“Peter and the Wolf” through music, animation, and narration (for upper elementary students)

reading drama

Even if you have opportunities to read stories in Japanese class, you probably don’t often read them aloud with feeling.

How about trying a dramatic reading—delivering the story with emotion so the scene comes to life—and presenting it as a performance? You’ll read not only the dialogue but also the narrative parts that convey the situation, so you can try out various techniques.

It’s important to determine whether someone excels at narration or at dialogue and assign roles for the whole piece accordingly.

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English play

[English Education at a Private Elementary School] Full Coverage of an All-English Drama Performance! Kyoto Notre Dame Elementary School

English play

To communicate with people around the world, English has become indispensable, hasn’t it? Instead of focusing on reading and writing, how about trying an English play that emphasizes speaking? Performing a play while speaking English tests your ability to concentrate on doing two tasks at once.

To make it easy for the audience to follow, we recommend choosing a well-known story, like a folktale, and letting them notice how much the impression changes when it’s performed in English.

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Get the Crowd Going at Kids’ Club Events! A Collection of Fun Ideas for Everyone (41–50)

Balloon Show

[Kane-san] [Balloon Show] ＼(◎o◎)／‼🎈 Recommended for elementary schools, kids’ clubs, nurseries, and kindergartens! 🎈 GIANT BALLOON CHALLENGE 🎈 [Kane-san’s Balloon Art]

Balloon Show

We see balloon-based shows in many different settings, but can amateurs do them too? They look glamorous, and it would be wonderful to put on a show using balloons that kids love.

Jumping straight into performing inside a balloon is probably difficult, so I recommend balloon art made by twisting and spinning handheld balloons.

Start with this and gradually increase the difficulty! You’re sure to become a hit with the kids!

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projection mapping

[Mapping at the Kindergarten] Overnight Nursery Camp Mapping at Akatsuki Kindergarten [SHADECOR]

projection mapping

Projection mapping has recently become popular as a winter illumination.

It’s a well-loved program projected onto large structures like the Tower of the Sun, Osaka Castle, and Nijo Castle.

How about trying such projection mapping at a kindergarten or nursery school? It seems like it would make a wonderful memory.

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