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. Craft activities too (41–50)
Ayatori: Kabuto (string figure: samurai helmet)
Here’s an idea for making a kabuto (samurai helmet) with ayatori, the traditional Japanese string game played using both hands.
Take the string with your fingers so that it crosses between both hands, then carefully release and re-take the loops, repeating the motions to gradually shape it.
The key is to make sure the triangular pattern shows clearly on the hand side.
Try adjusting the movements of your fingertips as you create the shape.
Once the kabuto is finished, you can display it as is or try other shapes to expand the ways you play.
It not only develops concentration and finger dexterity, but also deepens connections when you play together with family and friends.
Koinobori Matryoshka
This is a cute craft activity that makes use of empty candy boxes in various sizes.
Wrap construction paper around paper cups and decorate them with round stickers to create carp streamer patterns.
By combining large and small paper cups, you can make a nesting structure that stacks like matryoshka dolls.
For the smaller cups, cut the sides and bottom, then tuck the cut edges in to make them compact.
You can stack or line up the finished carp streamers and play with your child.
They’re also great as decorations for Children’s Day, and you can fill them with sweets to give as gifts.
Felt windmill
This is a cute craft activity using colorful fabrics.
Cut felt and patterned fabric and glue them together with a hot glue gun.
After attaching a piece of white fabric in the center, cut it into a pinwheel shape and attach a paper straw to the back.
You can also use it as a gift decoration by tying a ribbon to a wire tie and placing sweets in a bag.
The simple steps make it a fun project for kids and parents to make together, resulting in a piece that feels warm and handmade.
The finished pinwheel can be enjoyed as a decoration for Children’s Day or as a gift to hand out along with treats.
Let’s make kashiwa-mochi.
Traditional Japanese wagashi kashiwa mochi is a treat you can enjoy making with family and friends.
Roll the sweet red bean paste into five equal portions and set aside.
Steam a dough made by mixing rice flour with boiling water until fluffy.
Add sugar and potato starch, then mix well to create a smooth dough.
Flatten the dough by hand, wrap it around the bean paste, shape it, and steam again for about 5 minutes.
Finally, gently wrap each piece in an oak leaf to finish.
With the aroma of the oak leaf and a delightfully chewy texture, kashiwa mochi is even more fun to make with children.
Celebrate Children’s Day by adding homemade kashiwa mochi to your table.
Adzuki Bean Relay
The azuki bean relay, where you use chopsticks to move azuki beans one by one to another plate, is exciting not only for small children who aren’t yet used to using chopsticks, but also for adults who are supposed to be proficient—because it’s surprisingly difficult.
Holding it every year on Children’s Day would let you enjoy watching your child’s growth.
And since it’s challenging even for adults, turning it into a team competition at year-end or New Year parties is sure to get everyone fired up.
It’s a perfect game for a day that celebrates healthy growth, and something the whole family can enjoy together.
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.