Games and activities to enjoy on Children’s Day, including crafts

“Children’s Day” Quiz

Quiz! Children's Day

How about doing a quiz with Children’s Day-themed content that both kids and adults can enjoy? For example, have them fill in the blanks of the lyrics to the “Koinobori” song, or ask simple, cross-age questions like “What do we eat on Children’s Day?”, “When you think of Children’s Day, besides koinobori, what else comes to mind?”, and “What’s another way to say Children’s Day?” Choose questions that are easy to understand and fun for different age groups.

If you read a picture book beforehand that explains Children’s Day well, it might spark their interest and help them enjoy it even more.

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Let’s sing ‘Koinobori’!

♪ Koinobori – Carp Streamers | Carp Streamers Higher Than the Rooftops; The Big Black Carp Is Father [Japanese Song / Shoka]

This is the children’s song “Koinobori.” Many songs share the same title, but isn’t this one the most famous Koinobori song? It’s a relaxed, open-hearted tune.

After putting up the carp streamers, try singing it together as a family.

People of all ages can sing it, so it’s nice that you can enjoy it with grandparents as well.

Carp streamers in wet-on-wet painting

@atsumichan774

Let's make a Koinobori (carp streamer)! We made carp streamers using a coffee filter bleeding art technique—no paints needed♪ All materials are from the 100-yen shop! Color a coffee filter with water-based pens any way you like… then just spray it generously with water! Just using a spray bottle is surprisingly fun for kids on its own, haha. It's also nice to watch and enjoy how the colors bleed! ● Materials: - White coffee filters - Water-based pens - Spray bottle - Double-sided tape - Straws (thicker ones recommended) - Round stickers ● How to make: 1) Color the coffee filter with your favorite colors. Tip: If you draw detailed pictures, they’ll bleed. It’s fine to simply color and fill areas! 2) Spray with water. 3) Shape it into a carp streamer. You can cut with scissors if you like. Double-sided tape works great for attaching parts. Use round stickers to make and attach the eyes. 4) Attach it to a straw, and you’re done! Use double-sided tape here, too! Try all kinds of crafts! Great for play at home and for daycare or kindergarten projects! Atsumi-sensei’s Childcare Journal @atsumichan774 Sound effects: MaouDamashii Children’s Day, 100-yen shop, Koinobori craft, Koinobori making, May, daycare, Koinobori, Daiso, bleeding art, kindergarten

‘Sorry for Being Cute (feat. Kopi)’ – HoneyWorks

Let’s create without using paint! Here’s a “bleeding art” koinobori (carp streamer) activity.

You’ll need white coffee filters, water-based color markers, straws, a spray bottle, round stickers, and tape.

It’s a fun project that uses markers and water instead of paints—highly recommended! The materials are easy to gather, too.

Color the coffee filter with the markers, then mist it with water to let the colors bleed into beautiful patterns.

Children will enjoy watching the colors change, saying things like, “It’s turning [color]!” and “It looks like [something]!” as the hues blend together.

It’s also fun to cut out and display the finished koinobori!

kite flying

Kite-Flying Gathering for Children's Day

People of all ages can join the event! Here are some kite-flying ideas.

Kite flying has long been loved in Japan, and it’s a wonderful event that anyone can enjoy, regardless of age or gender.

Wishing for children’s healthy growth, everyone can fly kites together and have a great time with parents, teachers, and friends.

One important note: choose a wide, open area away from traffic.

Keep safety in mind, enjoy flying kites, and make it a day to remember!

Playing samurai sword-fighting while wearing a helmet

2012-08 Childhood play: pretend sword fighting (chanbara)

Let’s make samurai helmets and tube-shaped swords out of newspaper or wrapping paper and try playing mock sword fights.

If you roll the paper too tightly, it will become hard and hurt when it hits, so be sure to make soft swords.

You can also inflate an umbrella bag with air and use it as a sword.

Boys love to battle, so they’ll get really into it!

Let’s make koinobori (carp streamers)

Let's try making carp streamers by hand using finger stamps!

This is an activity where you stamp paint with your fingertips onto colored construction paper to make a carp streamer (koinobori).

In this video the paper isn’t pre-cut, but if you trim the tip of the paper into a shallow triangle to create the tail fin shape and hand it to the child, it will feel even more like they’re making a koinobori.

Painting with fingers also lets kids enjoy the tactile feel of the paint, so it’s highly recommended.

Squeeze, squeeze, kashiwa mochi.

Let's play with a song♪ Kashiwamochi Gyuggyu

Let’s do a hand play activity to the rhythm! Here are some ideas for “Kashiwa Mochi Gyuu-Gyuu.” What comes to mind when you think of Children’s Day? Things like carp streamers swimming in the sky, cool samurai helmets (kabuto) on display, and kashiwa mochi, which people eat to pray for prosperity and good health.

This time, let’s try a hand play themed around kashiwa mochi! The choreography where you squeeze your hands tightly is adorable and easy to learn, so kids will likely imitate it right away.

Be sure to give it a try!