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 Family-Friendly Ideas (51–60)
Hyakunin Isshu
It’s a game where you try to grab the card with the recited waka poem before your opponent does.
While it’s a traditional pastime, it’s also a popular competitive sport with national tournaments.
It’s a two-for-one game that’s fun as a contest and doubles as a way to learn history.
Umaibō Sommelier
How about trying a “Umaibo Sommelier” game you can enjoy as a quiz? Umaibo is famous for its wide variety of flavors.
In this game, you eat a randomly selected Umaibo while blindfolded and try to guess the flavor.
It gets even more exciting if you include some less common flavors.
You can also consider getting the official item released for flavor-guessing games, “Stick Party.” Since one stick can be shared among multiple people, you won’t need to buy a large quantity.
Funny eye mask
Blindfold the participants and have them march in place energetically for one minute.
After a minute, the person who moved the least from their original spot—the one closest to it—wins.
To make the game even more fun, use a funny eye mask as the blindfold! Watching people drift away from their starting point is sure to make everyone laugh.
Spiral Straw Speed-Drinking Showdown
We’re going to have a speed-drinking contest using those long, twisty glasses-shaped straws you can buy at variety shops as party goods.
The straws are longer than you’d think, so it looks like you’ll need some suction power.
Colored drinks are more fun than water because you can easily see where the liquid is going.
It might be a game that gets the spectators more excited than the people actually drinking!
Zoo game
Let me introduce a fun zoo game that will fill the room with lively animal sounds.
The rules are super simple! Put on a blindfold and imitate the sound of the animal you’re assigned.
Using only your ears, try to find others making the same animal sound as you.
If you meet someone with the same animal, you win.
Keep making your animal sound until you find your match.
Some children might be scared of wearing a blindfold, so it can also be fun to play without one.
Even just thinking about which animal you want to be makes this game exciting!
Anything Basket
The way you play “Anything Basket” is the same as Fruit Basket, but instead of calling out fruit names as the signal to switch seats, you can say anything—like “People wearing pants,” “People with their hair tied up,” and so on! If you’re playing on Children’s Day, try prompts related to the holiday, such as “People who saw a koinobori (carp streamer) today,” to set the mood.
You could even change the all-move signal from “Fruit Basket” to “Children’s Day”! It’s a classic game that everyone from preschoolers to adults can enjoy, so be sure to try it with everyone!
Balloon Battle
Attach balloons with strings to both feet.
Inflate the balloons as much as possible.
At the signal to start, everyone tries to pop each other’s balloons! It’s a thrilling game where the excitement of a balloon about to pop is irresistible.
It’s nerve-racking whether you’re popping someone else’s balloon or having yours popped.
While you’re aiming for your opponent’s balloon, yours might be targeted too.
Just be careful not to step on your opponent’s feet!
Balloon volleyball
It’s a communication sport that people of all ages can enjoy, from small children to adults and seniors.
You play volleyball using a balloon as the ball, and the distinctive rule is that once the balloon enters your court, every team member must touch it at least once before returning it to the opponent’s side.
Its appeal lies in the fact that anyone can play together regardless of age, and because teamwork is essential, it helps children foster a sense of empathy.
It’s safe and fun to play indoors, so please give it a try!
Pig’s tail
Let me introduce a card game called Pig’s Tail.
Spread the playing cards face down in a circle.
Decide the order of play, then flip cards in turn and place them in the center.
If the same suit appears as the previously placed card, the player who flipped it must take all the cards that have been placed so far.
Then resume the game and repeat the same process.
If a Joker appears, the player who flipped it may return the cards in their hand to the center pile.
Keep drawing until all cards have been played; the player with the fewest cards at the end wins.
Give it a try!
Card-flipping race
Here’s a fun, active card-flipping race.
Prepare 20 to 30 round cards made by sticking white paper on one side and black paper on the other.
Split into two teams—White and Black—with equal numbers of players.
Lay the cards out randomly, then within a set time limit, flip the cards to your team’s color.
Since the goal is to flip as many cards as possible within the time limit, the team that flips more cards wins! You can also increase the number of cards or change the colors to make it even more exciting.