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 Exciting Activities (61–70)
Origami: Kashiwa-mochi
Let’s combine it with your crafts for Children’s Day and put it on display! Here are some ideas for making kashiwa-mochi out of origami.
You’ll need 7.5 cm white and green origami paper and glue.
If you lift the oak leaf slightly, there’s a space to write a message, so it’s great for exchanging notes or attaching to a small gift.
We also recommend adding facial expressions to the finished kashiwa-mochi with a permanent marker or colored pencils.
It’s also perfect as an introduction to food education, letting kids experience seasonal, event-themed foods!
sumo
How about spending a fun Children’s Day with sumo, a sport beloved by many as Japan’s national sport? When you think of sumo, the folktale hero Kintaro comes to mind, right? Kintaro is also the model for May dolls, so sumo is the perfect activity for Children’s Day! Set up a suitable ring and try sumo with family and friends.
If Dad is big, it could be fun for all the siblings to team up and try to topple him together! Be careful to avoid injuries, and do your best with all your might like Kintaro.
Koinobori icing cookies
Let’s try making carp streamer icing cookies! Baking is an activity kids love.
Knead the cookie dough together, have them help cut and shape it into carp streamers, and enjoy making cookies as a team! If icing feels too difficult, you can try a simpler variation.
Let’s celebrate Children’s Day with cute icing cookies!
Treasure Hunt
A treasure hunt game that uses the entire home is something that both children and adults can get completely absorbed in.
For younger children, it can be as simple as searching the room for their favorite toys, while if adults are joining in too, a puzzle-solving style where you crack codes to advance the game can really liven things up.
One advantage of doing it at home is that you’re free to move around as you like.
However, if you’re using the whole house as the field, be sure to put away anything that would be a problem if a child were to break it before you start.
Making Koinobori Hanging Decorations
This is an irresistibly cute hanging carp streamer decoration! When we hear about hanging carp streamers, we tend to picture the grand ones you see in public squares or at schools, but this one is a charming miniature—small enough to fit in a single cup and perfect for displaying on a desk or study table.
You can make it creatively with everyday materials like origami paper and straws that are easy to gather.
Feel free to use any colors and designs you like, and craft your own carp streamers more freely, boldly, and adorably!
Bingo game
Bingo, a staple at events and parties, is also a great game to enjoy at home on Children’s Day.
If you prepare prizes like foods associated with Boys’ Festival and your kids’ favorite sweets, they’ll get to feel the special spirit of the day.
These days, you can even find packs of bingo cards at 100-yen shops, making preparation easy, which is a nice bonus.
It’s a well-known game with simple rules that can excite everyone from children to adults.
Go for it! Takino-bori!
“Why are the carp streamers swimming in the sky?” A puppet show is a great way to answer this simple question children often ask! It’s said that the carp streamers that swim in the sky are inspired by a Chinese legend: a carp that climbed a raging waterfall transformed into a dragon and ascended to the heavens.
With the message, “Even a little carp worked hard and made it up the waterfall, so let’s all try taking on new challenges,” why not put on a play using handmade puppets and props for children who are about to experience many things?
In conclusion
We’ve shared plenty of game and craft ideas to make Children’s Day extra special. They all use familiar, easy-to-find materials, so parents and kids can jump right in together! Both playtime and making time are sure to be moments filled with children’s smiles. Find your favorite idea and make Children’s Day an unforgettable, super-fun day!