Fun for Children’s Day! A Collection of Performance and Play Ideas Recommended for Early Childhood Education
As Children’s Day approaches, many preschool teachers may find themselves wondering what performances or activities to prepare.
You want to make it a memorable day filled with fun events that bring out the children’s brightest smiles.
Here are plenty of engaging ideas perfect for preschools, such as making carp streamers (koinobori), active group games, and seasonal quizzes.
They’re all easy to incorporate with minimal prep and can be adjusted for different ages, so feel free to use this as a reference!
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Fun for Children's Day! A Collection of Recommended Performances and Play Ideas for Childcare (21–30)
Let’s Share the Origins of Children’s Day! Sketchbook Theater
Children’s Day is a time to pray for both boys and girls to grow up healthy and strong.
Originally, it was called Tango no Sekku and was a holiday for boys.
Since the Kamakura period, when the samurai class rose to power, people have displayed warrior dolls and helmets in their homes, and the celebration became widespread.
Essential to Children’s Day are carp streamers (koinobori) and kashiwa-mochi.
Carp streamers are displayed because of a Chinese legend that a carp becomes a dragon after swimming up a waterfall.
The oak leaves used for kashiwa-mochi stay on the branch until new buds appear in spring, so they are seen as a symbol of prosperity for one’s descendants.
Why not share the origins of Children’s Day in a fun and easy-to-understand way using a sketchbook theater?
Children’s Day Quiz
Each unique custom of Children’s Day carries a deep meaning.
By correctly understanding traditional culture—such as the flowers displayed for the Boys’ Festival (Tango no Sekku), the order of carp streamers (koinobori), and the sentiments behind chimaki and kashiwa-mochi—you can enjoy Children’s Day to the fullest.
If you find yourself wondering, “What exactly is the Boys’ Festival?” or “Why do we eat kashiwa-mochi?”, try taking the quiz! Families with young children can turn it into a game by quizzing the kids so everyone can have fun together.
Raise the carp streamers.
Enjoy Children’s Day events! Here are ideas for “Let’s Raise the Koinobori.” Some preschools and kindergartens may display large koinobori in their yards every year.
Working together with the children to raise the koinobori sounds fun and memorable, too.
The hand-play activity “Let’s Raise the Koinobori” is perfect for building excitement for the event, and it also helps children stay mindful about not letting go when raising the koinobori, so it’s highly recommended!
Interactive read-aloud
Kids love pop-up books packed with excitement—characters springing out of the pages, containers that reveal hidden treasures when opened, and so much more! If you usually read regular picture books aloud, why not treat your child to a slightly different, more thrilling experience on Children’s Day? There are plenty of store-bought options, but making one by hand for the occasion is also a great idea.
Try getting creative so kids can really enjoy it—use not only paper but also fabric and other materials to craft something special.
A balloon that inflates on its own
Pour vinegar into a plastic bottle, then place a balloon filled with baking soda over the mouth of the bottle.
When you let the baking soda from the balloon fall into the vinegar, they react chemically and the balloon inflates.
Even adults who haven’t seen it before will go “Wow!” Kids are sure to get excited by this mysterious phenomenon!
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?
Hand dance
It’s a dance where only the hands are shown, as if from a puppet-theater-style stage.
Create highlights by, for example, changing the color of the gloves partway through.
It’s only hand movements, but if they aren’t precisely synchronized, it will look sloppy, so practice hard! When everything is tightly in sync, the tempo feels good and it becomes a very satisfying dance to watch.