Recommended games for Children's Day, including party games that really liven things up
May 5th is Children’s Day, celebrated as Tango no Sekku! Many families celebrate Children’s Day to mark their kids’ healthy growth.
In this article, we’ve gathered a bunch of exciting games perfect for Children’s Day! There are probably lots of kids feeling bored because they can’t go anywhere despite the holiday.
And parents may be wondering how to keep their children entertained.
Use the games we introduce here as a guide, and be sure to play together as a family on Children’s Day.
These are games that adults can enjoy too, so the whole family can have a great time!
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- [For Kids] Popular party games. Fun games that get everyone excited
- [Childcare] Games and performances that liven up Children's Day
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- Indoor Games for Small Groups: Exciting Recreational Activities
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- [Play Right Away!] Exciting Recreation Games Recommended for Elementary School Students
- Games that get the whole family excited! A collection of ideas you can start right away with no equipment
- Recommended games and activities for five people
Recommended games for Children’s Day. Party games that liven things up, too (11–20)
Crash Ice Game
Careful not to drop the penguin in the middle! Let me introduce the Crash Ice Game.
It’s perfect for when you want to get excited and feel the thrill.
Set up the ice blocks and use the included hammers to tap the blocks little by little.
The rules are simple: whoever makes the penguin placed in the center fall loses! It can be played by 2 to 4 people, and it’s fun for both kids and adults.
Since it doesn’t require special strategies or techniques, it’s easy to jump in and play—that’s part of the charm.
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!
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!
Hide-and-seek in the house
Have you ever watched the video “Moyamoya Hide-and-Seek” uploaded by the YouTubers Fischer’s? It’s a funny video that makes you realize how much fun hide-and-seek can be in a small space.
So let’s all try playing “hide-and-seek at home.” Behind the TV, under the kitchen sink—kids might be able to hide in places that adults would never think of.
But don’t get carried away and hide in dangerous spots.
To keep it fun, set rules beforehand like “the balcony is off-limits” and “no high places.” It also sounds fun to search for the hiding kids while filming with a smartphone!
Adzuki Bean Relay
The azuki bean relay, where you use chopsticks to move azuki beans one by one to another plate, is exciting not only for small children who aren’t yet used to using chopsticks, but also for adults who are supposed to be proficient—because it’s surprisingly difficult.
Holding it every year on Children’s Day would let you enjoy watching your child’s growth.
And since it’s challenging even for adults, turning it into a team competition at year-end or New Year parties is sure to get everyone fired up.
It’s a perfect game for a day that celebrates healthy growth, and something the whole family can enjoy together.
Bingo game
Bingo, a staple at events and parties, is also a great game to enjoy at home on Children’s Day.
If you prepare prizes like foods associated with Boys’ Festival and your kids’ favorite sweets, they’ll get to feel the special spirit of the day.
These days, you can even find packs of bingo cards at 100-yen shops, making preparation easy, which is a nice bonus.
It’s a well-known game with simple rules that can excite everyone from children to adults.
Recommended games for Children’s Day: Party games that really liven things up (21–30)
5 Board Games Where Rolling the Dice Is the Most Fun
Since you can have fun just by rolling dice, why not try a game that groups of all ages—from kids to adults—can enjoy? In the video, games like Sengoku Jidai, where you assault castles, and Camel Up, where you bet on a camel race, are introduced.
Others include Dice Forge, where you collect fragments of the sun and moon; Space Base, where you acquire a variety of starships; and Stone Age, great for those who want a longer play session.
Try choosing based on difficulty level and your interests.