Games to Play on Children’s Day: A Collection of Family-Friendly Ideas
Children’s Day is a day to celebrate and wish for children’s healthy growth.
There are many ways to spend it, such as displaying carp streamers and samurai helmets, or eating kashiwa-mochi.
But since it’s a special occasion, why not try incorporating games that everyone—family and friends—can enjoy together? In this article, we’ve gathered a wide range of game ideas perfect for Children’s Day.
From activities themed around carp streamers and kashiwa-mochi to ones you can enjoy with minimal preparation, they’re all games you can play excitedly indoors.
These are games that both kids and adults can get absorbed in, so be sure to check them out!
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Games to Play on Children’s Day: A Collection of Ideas to Hype Up the Whole Family (11–20)
Forehead Biscuit
Tilt your head up and place a cookie on your forehead.
Without using your hands, move your facial muscles and mouth to bring the cookie down to your mouth—the first person to finish eating wins.
If you drop the cookie off your face along the way, start over from the forehead.
Also, be careful not to choke if you eat too quickly!
Candy fishing
Candy Fishing is a game where you “fish” for treats just like regular fishing! Put the candies in a kiddie pool or a large box, and attach either magnets or looped strings that a hook can catch.
You can use a store‑bought toy fishing rod, or make one yourself by tying twine to a pair of disposable chopsticks.
For younger children, prepare larger candies; for older kids, use smaller, more numerous treats to adjust the difficulty.
Since kids love candy, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
Gesture Game
Back in the 1950s and ’60s, when television was still in its infancy, NHK’s variety show “Gesture” became hugely popular.
Come to think of it, we still often see gesture games as segments on TV shows today.
Their simple, instantly exciting nature is probably why they’re so widely used.
This Children’s Day, let both adults and kids have fun and liven things up with a gesture game.
Prepare prompts in advance by writing them on slips of paper.
To make it even more exciting, you can give kids a handicap, like allowing onomatopoeia such as “wan-wan” (woof-woof) or “zaa-zaa” (the sound of heavy rain).
Try working in characters from kids’ favorite anime as prompts, too!
play sword-fighting (make-believe)
Old-fashioned ‘samurai swordplay’ pretend battles! If you’re a boy, you’ve probably played it at least once, right? Many kids enjoy mock battles on a daily basis, but on Children’s Day it would be extra fun to make a paper samurai helmet, put it on, and play! For the sword, rolling up newspaper into a stick is inexpensive and recommended.
If you’d like a sword made for play-fighting, there are commercial options too, so check them out.
Since children can’t always control their strength well, use soft swords to prevent injuries!
Let’s pretend to be koinobori!
“I wonder what feelings the carp streamers have as they swim through the sky.” With that in mind, it’s fun to pretend to be a carp streamer and play! You can imitate a carp streamer’s movements by yourself, line up with friends and copy them together, or combine it with counting games—there are so many ways to enjoy it.
Once Children’s Day is over, you won’t see carp streamers again until the same time next year.
“Let’s all energetically imitate the lively carp streamers again next year!” With that sentiment, why not incorporate it into your play?
Jagarico Panic
Jagabee, one of Calbee’s most popular snacks.
Of course, it’s delicious as is, but instead of just eating it, why not turn it into a playful experience with Jagabee Panic? Set the Jagabee container into the Jagabee tray, lift the “Jaga-o Head,” and everyone takes turns eating one stick at a time.
Nothing might happen—or a Jagabee stick might suddenly jump out and surprise you! Enjoy easy, heart-pounding excitement at home!
Bomb game
The “Bomb Game” is a game where you pretend the ball is a bomb.
First, everyone sits in a circle and one person holds the ball.
Play music on a smartphone or boombox, and while the music is playing, keep passing the ball to the next person.
Whoever is holding the ball when the music stops loses.
If someone loses three times, they have to do a penalty! You can adjust the rules and penalties, so try tailoring them to the children’s ages.
Play songs the kids like for the music!
Piñata
A piñata is a “kusudama doll” that became widely known after being featured on the hugely popular TV show “Itte Q! (The Quest to the Ends of the World).” In the show, when Imoto smashed the kusudama, it burst open with toy bugs and lizards she dislikes, which made everyone laugh.
Even today, in many Latin American countries, it’s considered an essential event at children’s festivals.
The game involves hanging a candy-filled ball from the ceiling and having a blindfolded child break it—basically the kusudama version of watermelon splitting.
It could also be fun to make kusudama for each other, exchange them, and take turns breaking them.
Target shooting game
Let’s make it using balloons and paper cups! Here’s an idea for a target-throwing game.
When the weather is bad or someone in the family isn’t feeling well, it’s hard to go play outside, right? This target game is perfect for making and playing at times like that! What you need: paper cups, balloons, pens or colored pencils, tape, balls made by crumpling paper, and scissors.
Draw your favorite illustrations on the paper cups to complete the targets! Then tape the paper cups and balloons together, and enjoy your target game!
Human Spot-the-Difference Game
It’s a game where you try a human version of “spot the differences,” like comparing two pictures.
The presenter appears with prepared outfits or accessories, and the players memorize their appearance.
Then the presenter returns with changes to their outfit, accessories, or pose, and the players have to identify the differences.
You won’t get it unless you look closely and remember well! It’s a game that works with small or large groups.
Try switching roles between presenter and player, using a point system to compete, and experimenting with different ways to play!