Games and activities to enjoy on Children’s Day, including crafts
May 5 is Children’s Day.
It used to be called Tango no Sekku (the Boys’ Festival), but in recent years it has become widely recognized as Children’s Day, a day to wish for children’s healthy growth.
It’s still often seen as a celebration for boys, but in fact it’s a day to celebrate all children regardless of gender and to thank mothers who gave birth to them.
In this article, we introduce play ideas and recreation games perfect for Children’s Day.
We’ve gathered many games related to Children’s Day and koinobori (carp streamers).
Please feel free to use these ideas at home or when celebrating in early childhood settings and give them a try!
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Games and activities to enjoy on Children's Day, including crafts (21–30)
Hula Hoop Koinobori
A simple game where a child holds onto a hula hoop and gets pulled by an adult is likened to carp streamers fluttering from a pole.
Their clothes may get dirty, but since it strengthens the arms, it likely has a positive effect on physical development.
Children love games where they can move without walking, so they’ll probably be delighted to hang onto the hula hoop.
Adults will need to bend at the waist and use strength, so please watch out for back pain and dislocation.
What’s inside the box?
The “What’s in the Box?” game, a staple at recreational events, stays fun without getting old because the prompts change each time.
If you prepare Child’s Day–themed items—like toys kids love or foods associated with Tango no Sekku—it can work well as an event activity.
However, avoid dangerous items or live creatures like those seen on extreme variety shows, as they may scare children and make them fear the game itself.
It’s a great indoor game for times when you can’t go out, offering a unique way to have fun at home.
Games and activities to enjoy on Children's Day, including crafts (31–40)
paper sumo
Haven’t we all played this at least once when we were kids? You place paper sumo wrestlers on top of a box, tap the edges of the box to make them move, and see who wins.
There are many ways to make the ring, from simple to elaborate, but even just a plain box works fine.
Since it’s Children’s Day, you could draw carp streamers instead of sumo wrestlers, too!
Matching game
Prepare two copies of each picture and paste them onto cardboard.
At first, place the cards face up and memorize where everything is.
Then turn them over and flip them while recalling where the matching pictures are.
The person who collects the most matching pairs wins.
It’s also fun to draw the pictures yourself, so you might choose Children’s Day-themed designs like carp streamers, samurai helmets, warrior dolls, or irises!
Koinobori Tag
This is a game of tag themed around koinobori (carp streamers), which are displayed in gardens and elsewhere when May arrives.
It’s best tried in a large space like a kindergarten or nursery school yard or a sports field.
First, draw lines on the ground to create a pattern that suggests the silhouette of a koinobori.
Place the “oni” (tagger) and the runners on the lines, and have them play tag along the lines.
If you’re tagged by the oni, crouch down inside the koinobori drawing and become a “scale.” The rule is that if another child touches a scale, that player comes back to life.
If the runners make it to the end without being caught, the children win.
It’s a game that fosters communication as the kids help each other.
Give this tag game a try to experience the feeling of May while enjoying the warm spring weather.
Koinobori rhythm play
Enjoy rhythm games inspired by koinobori songs! Hold hands and go around together, clap your hands, stomp your feet—let’s make it a fun day with various moves where the children are the stars.
We probably only sing songs related to koinobori and Boys’ Festival (Tango no Sekku) on May 5th itself or in the few days leading up to Children’s Day.
All the more reason to try your usual rhythm and hand-clapping games in a special Children’s Day version—it could feel fresh and fun, don’t you think?
Wreath with a samurai helmet and carp streamers
This is a handmade wreath using motifs that symbolize Children’s Day: carp streamers and samurai helmets.
The wreath features a helmet motif and mini carp streamers.
You’ll make the carp streamer pole and the pinwheel that attaches to the tip of the pole out of origami, then glue all the parts together.
Attach a string for hanging, and it’s done! Each part uses simple folding, so you can make them together with children; for more complex pieces, teachers or guardians can prepare them in advance; or you can prepare all the parts and let the children do the gluing.
Feel free to adapt the process to suit the children.