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 enjoy with the family (21–30)
Children’s Day exercisesNEW!
@machan.kidsbodyspecialty Do this on Children's Day!Children's Daychildgymnastics teacherTaijiku Taiso (Body Axis Exercises)Parent-child play
♬ Kids & Toys – FASSounds
How about celebrating your child’s growth with a Children’s Day parent-and-child exercise routine? It’s also recommended for busy moms and dads who find it hard to get enough skin-to-skin contact in daily life.
First, press the “development-boosting switches”: around the back of the armpits, the pit of the stomach about four finger-widths above the navel, and the crease where the hip joint begins.
Just doing this is fun and sure to bring out smiles! Parents should squat with feet apart, support your child under the arms, hold them close, make eye contact, and on the cue of “3, 2, 1,” lift them up high with a cheerful “Rocket!” This Children’s Day exercise is packed with moments your child will love—why not give it a try?
Jump Ball RelayNEW!
@waiwaiplus.kids It’s a game where you hop around to carry the ball 💨✨#After-school day serviceAfter-school day servicetranslationPlayNursery teacher / Childcare worker
♬ Original Song – [After-school Day Service] Waiwai Plus – [After-school Day Service] Waiwai Plus
The Jump Ball Relay, a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for team competition, is a great game for families.
Split into two teams and place hoops in front of each team.
Set a box at the starting line and at the turning point, and put colored balls in the box at the turning point.
Players hop from hoop to hoop, grab a ball, then hop back to the start.
Once they drop the ball into the box at the starting line, they pass the turn to the next player.
The team that collects the most balls wins.
It’s a fun game that builds leg strength, core stability, and balance.
Speed CupsNEW!
@ponchan_asobi Details about this analog game…👇 One of our analog games: Speed Cups. A lot of you might have seen this at preschools or children’s centers, right? It’s a fast-paced game that builds quick reflexes and decision-making! Through the game, kids develop many skills like color recognition, sense of order, and finger dexterity. However, it’s a bit unsuitable for children who struggle with suspense or when there’s a big age gap 🤏 On the flip side, kids who love speedy games or groups of the same grade really get into it 🔥 Watch your child, and if it suits them, it’s highly recommended ✨ Check out analog games via the link in my profile 🔗 Rakuten Room → Collection ➡︎ Analog Games 👀❤️ I’m introducing lots of different games 🌈 _____________________________🌱_____ I share play ideas that draw out kids’ “I want to try it!” 😍 Follow to bring out your child’s “I want to do it! This is fun!” → @ponchan_asobi Thanks for the likes and comments ❤️ I’m on YouTube too 💞 ▷ @ponchan_hoiku *･゜ﾟ･*:.｡..｡.:*･･*:.｡. .｡.:*･゜ﾟ･*#AtHomePlay #StayHomeTime #Indoor Play #AnalogGame Translation
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Fast-paced and fun, Speed Cups is an analog game that captivates both adults and kids.
Add it to your family events and you’ll be playing for hours without noticing the time fly by! Be sure to check it out.
Hand out five cup colors—yellow, blue, green, red, and black—to each player.
Players take turns flipping the card in the center and recreate the color order shown on the card.
Once you’ve matched it, ring the bell and claim the card.
Some cards show colors arranged horizontally, while others require stacking vertically, putting your split-second judgment to the test.
It’s a delightful game that also helps develop fine motor skills and spatial awareness as you play.
Super Mario TagNEW!
@kidschallengeclub♬ Super Mario Bros. – Overworld – 8-Bit Arcade
Super Mario is popular with kids.
How about enjoying a Mario-style game of tag with your family? The basic rules are the same as freeze tag: anyone touched by “it” becomes “frozen” and can’t move.
Those who haven’t been tagged yet are “Marios” and should run away from the chaser.
Marios can jump over obstacles, while the chaser can’t, so use that advantage to escape—that’s the key to victory.
Frozen players can be revived when another player touches them.
If everyone becomes frozen, the chaser team wins.
Throw feints at each other and lead your team to victory!
Plastic Bottle Balance GameNEW!
@soramame.sensei Hello! This is Kotoba no Kyōshitsu Soramame Kids! This time, it’s a balance game you can play with a plastic bottle♪ You don’t need a cap—use things you already have at home★ Give it a try! 😊#SoramameKidsChild Development SupportAfter-school day service#KagoshimaRehabilitation# developmental support (ryōiku)Easy to preparetranslation#StayHomeTime#HandmadeToys#Indoor PlayParent-child time
♬ Cute and fun marimba pops(1164847) – zomap
How about a balance game you can enjoy using a familiar scrap material: plastic bottles? Use a utility knife to cut off the top part of a plastic bottle.
To prevent injuries from the cut edge, cover it with tape for protection.
Once that’s done, you’re ready—prepare plenty of bottle caps and start the game.
Do rock-paper-scissors, and in order from the winner, place caps into the bottle turned upside down.
The rule is that the person who makes it lose balance and topple over loses.
Each time you add a cap, it wobbles, making it thrilling! Try incorporating it as a casual game you can enjoy at home.
Koinobori Card GameNEW!
@kty_kids Koinobori Card GameNaha#Nursery school#Company-led childcare centerSmall-Scale Nursery SchoolNaha Hoshi Nursery SchoolOkinawa Nursery SchoolOkinawaHigakawa#IWantToGoViral#KotsuyoshiKidsKoinobori (carp streamers)Children's Day
♬ Athletic Meet “Heaven and Hell” (No Introduction) – Shinonome
When it comes to Children’s Day, we think of koinobori carp streamers.
How about adding a seasonal touch to your family game time with a “Koinobori Card Game”? The rules are very simple: lay out koinobori cards on the table, and arrange the cards to match the pattern on the card drawn by the questioner.
The person who finishes first wins.
It’s an addictive game that both adults and kids may get competitive about.
If you have your child help make the cards, they’ll likely enjoy it even more.
Since it doesn’t take up much space, it’s an easy idea to incorporate and highly recommended.
Children’s Day spot-the-differenceNEW!
Why not enjoy a spot-the-difference game using Children’s Day illustrations? Carp streamers, samurai helmets, Kintaro, and children are perfect motifs for the occasion.
You can use spot-the-difference videos, or take this opportunity to create your own original version.
Besides illustrations, there’s also a fun method where someone stands in front of the participants, briefly hides to change an item or part of their outfit, and the players guess what’s different.
Plan a spot-the-difference activity that everyone can enjoy and have a great time!
Fluttering carp streamerNEW!
When it comes to koinobori, they’re a classic motif for Children’s Day, and their graceful swimming in the sky is so striking.
How about a fun koinobori game that recreates that fluttering, dancing motion? Cut out the bottom of a paper cup, then attach an umbrella bag with its bottom cut off.
Use pens and stickers to add eyes and scales to complete your koinobori.
It could be even more exciting if you prepare a target and add a rule to throw them aiming at it! Since it’s easy to launch without much force, it’s a recommended activity that even small children can enjoy safely.
Apple TwistNEW!
Let’s try a colorful caterpillar-and-apple board game.
The red apple serves as the game board and is divided into five rotating sections.
The front of each section is labeled with numbers 1 to 5, and the back is labeled with letters A to E.
Choose a challenge from the game guide, then place the three caterpillars—light blue, yellow, and yellow-green—on the board by bending them into position.
There’s only one correct solution, so the sense of accomplishment when you solve it is unbeatable.
It’s fun for both kids and adults, making it perfect for family play.
Marble Paint PlayNEW!
The marble paint activity, where kids can freely create patterns, is a fun idea that offers wonderful benefits for children.
It’s easy to try because all you need are items you likely already have at home: an empty box, marbles, paints, and a palette.
Put a few colors of your choice on the palette, drop a marble into each color, and coat them with paint.
Place a sheet of drawing paper in the empty box to secure it, add the painted marbles, and roll them around to enjoy making patterns.
By trying to keep the marbles from falling out, children naturally develop spatial awareness, and watching colors blend can help foster their imagination and sense of color.