Ideas for games and crafts to enjoy on Children’s Day: a roundup of fun activities
As Children’s Day approaches, many of you may be thinking about doing something special to make it exciting for the kids.
Carp streamers, samurai helmets, and kashiwa-mochi—things that evoke Children’s Day—actually make perfect tools for games and crafts, too.
In this article, we’ll introduce a wide range of game and craft ideas that are perfect for Children’s Day and will have parents and kids, as well as friends, completely absorbed.
They’re all easy to incorporate at home, in daycare, or in kindergarten, so use them as tips to make Children’s Day even more fun and colorful!
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Ideas for Games and Crafts to Enjoy on Children's Day: A Roundup of Fun Activities (41–50)
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.
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 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.
The Lost Koinobori
Here’s an introduction to a Children’s Day story perfect for kamishibai or read-aloud time: “The Lost Koinobori.” It’s humorous because the protagonist isn’t a real carp (koi) but an actual koinobori that follows a blimp.
For example, you could make a child’s handmade koinobori the main character and draw pictures or tell a story about it.
With a bit of creativity, this work could be a great way to give children an even more fun impression of koinobori and Children’s Day.
The carp streamer swallowed it.
Let’s all enjoy a panel theater themed around Children’s Day! I’ll introduce an idea called “What Did the Carp Streamer Suck In?” Set it to a fun rhythm and friendly melody, and let’s see what the carp streamer has swallowed! If you give hints and build in a short time for the kids to imagine the answer, they’ll be eager to join in.
There are also clever tricks and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, so why not present it at an event? Be sure to give it a try!
Koinobori cracker
The perfect Children’s Day carp streamer cracker is a craft activity using a paper cup.
Decorate the cup with origami paper and round stickers to create a koi-nobori pattern.
Make a small hole in the bottom of the cup, tie a rubber band to a toothpick, and hook it through the hole.
Wrap aluminum foil around the rubber band to create a launching mechanism.
Finally, place small origami decorations inside the cup as the confetti, pull the rubber band, and they’ll burst out colorfully.
The fun part is that you can actually launch the finished cracker.
It’s an ideal craft for a festive Children’s Day event.
A soccer game you can make with straws
How about making a simple toy out of straws so you can enjoy soccer at home? It’s a fun, engaging game you can play together with friends or family! Another great point is that you can make it using familiar materials like an empty box and some straws.
Use the empty box to create the field and the straws to build the goals.
Attach straws to the player pieces you cut out from the box, and control them as you play.
It could be even more exciting to model the players after your favorite stars! This toy is sure to help kids develop dexterity and concentration.
We’ve shared detailed instructions in a video, so check it out and give it a try!
Crafts you can play with
In this Reiwa era, where digital devices have surrounded us since the day we were born, it’s nice to enjoy some analog play from time to time.
So here’s a summer craft you can make and play with right away: the “Wobbly Tree.” Glue a branching tree onto half of a toy capsule.
Hang rubber bands from the branches one by one, and the person who knocks the tree over loses.
If you substitute the toy capsule base with something else, you can make an even bigger tree.
There are also videos introducing other playable crafts, so if you’re interested, be sure to check them out.