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)
Bottle Flip Tic-Tac-Toe
@familyfuniq Mother’s Day Bottle Flip Tic Tac Toe! ❌⭕ #games#tiktok
♬ original sound – FamilyFunIQ
Here’s a tic-tac-toe game that incorporates bottle flipping, where you toss a water-filled plastic bottle, make it spin in the air, and try to land it upright.
When the game starts, both players attempt a bottle flip at the same time.
Whoever succeeds first gets to mark an O or an X in a square.
Repeat this, and the first person to line up three in a row wins.
It’s easy to get flustered when your opponent is one move away, but stay calm and focus on landing your flip.
The rules are simple, so it’s fun for everyone from kids to adults!
Balloon Popping Game
This is a game the whole family can enjoy while getting active.
Once everyone attaches balloons to both of their ankles, you’re ready to go! At the starting signal, try to pop the balloons tied to other people’s ankles.
Do not use needles or any tools.
The only way to pop them is by stepping on them with your foot.
If both of your balloons get popped, you’re out.
The winner is the person who still has at least one balloon left when everyone else’s balloons are gone.
The popping sound might be startling, so please take care with small children.
Koinobori airplane throwing
The spinning “koinobori airplane” is perfect for Children’s Day play.
All you need are three paper cups and a marble.
Place the marble in a paper cup, then attach another cup over the opening to close it, and secure with tape.
Attach the third cup to the bottom on one side, and for the tail fin, cut the mouth side into eight equal sections.
The trick to making it spin and fly well is to fold these eight tail fins slightly diagonally in the same direction.
Add tail fins and eyes to create your original koinobori.
It’s a fun activity that sparks curiosity with the question, “Why does it spin?”
Children’s Day exercises
@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 Relay
@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 Cups
@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
♬ Upbeat, fun and bright rock’n’roll(1368783) – $PHIN35
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 Tag
@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!