[Childcare] Games and performances that liven up Children's Day
May 5th is Children’s Day.
Also called Tango no Sekku, it’s a day to celebrate children’s healthy growth.
Many preschools and daycare centers, as well as families at home, likely celebrate Children’s Day.
As they gaze up at the carp streamers on display, the children eagerly look forward to the festivities.
So this time, we’ll introduce plenty of games and performances that will liven up Children’s Day.
From activities performed by teachers, such as panel theater and plays, to ones children can join and enjoy—like dance, choir, and puzzle-solving games—we’ve gathered a collection of perfect Children’s Day fun!
Amid the exciting, enjoyable time, we also want to share with the children the origins and traditions of Children’s Day.
Be sure to make good use of these ideas!
- [Entertainment/Performances] Ideas for Performances to Introduce at Kindergartens and Nursery Schools—Great for Children and Staff
- Games and activities to enjoy on Children’s Day, including crafts
- [Childcare] Entertainment that excites a birthday party
- [Childcare] A quiz about Children’s Day in childcare! Learn about traditions and customs
- [Childcare] May Activities: Spring Outdoor & Indoor Play
- [For Preschoolers & Kids] Game, Play, and Craft Ideas to Enjoy on Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Day)
- [Children's Day] Let's make and display! Children's Day wall decoration special
- [Craft] Make and Display! A Special Feature on Ideas for Making Koinobori (Carp Streamers)
- Recommended games for Children's Day, including party games that really liven things up
- [Childcare] May events and activities at nursery schools and kindergartens
- Fun quizzes that liven up parties and performances
- [Children’s Club] Easy and fun indoor games. Exciting party games
- [Childcare] Fun for Hinamatsuri! Performance ideas perfect for the event
[Childcare] Games and Performances That Excite on Children's Day (41–50)
true-or-false quiz
Let’s try running the quiz contest in a true-or-false format.
That way, both small and large groups can enjoy it.
I think it would be really exciting if there were a small prize for the winner.
Adults and children can enjoy it together, and it can be fun even if everyone runs around in a large open space.
[Childcare] Games and Performances That Excite on Children's Day (51–60)
Choral Song “Koinobori”
The children’s song “Koinobori,” which everyone has sung at least once in childhood, was first included in the music textbook “Jinjō Shōgaku Shōka: For Fifth Grade” used in 1913, and was sung as a Ministry of Education song.
The lyricist is unknown, and the composer was Ryūtarō Hirota, a musician from Kōchi Prefecture.
The lyrics are based on the Chinese legend “Tōryūmon” (the Dragon Gate), and the song portrays a carp vigorously climbing a waterfall to become a dragon.
The melody is simple, so once you remember the lyrics, you can sing it right away.
Let’s all sing it together on Children’s Day!
Childhood Photo Quiz
It’s a quiz often seen as entertainment at wedding receptions and parties: you show childhood photos in a slideshow and have everyone guess whose childhood picture it is.
While it’s of course fun and lively for adults too, it might feel especially fresh and exciting for kids.
Normally, they don’t get many chances to see what the adults they know looked like as children.
Why not pick some hilariously silly photos and go for big laughs from the kids?
Love Dance
This dance has become so famous that when people say “party dance,” they think of the Koi Dance.
Even little kids know it, right? It’s a bit tricky, but practice hard and give it a try! It’s adorable when little kids dance it.
Let’s all have fun and get excited together.
Who is eating the wasabi?
It’s a game where you guess who is actually eating food with wasabi.
Out of everyone, only one person is really eating something with wasabi; the others are just pretending to.
I think it’s fun and exciting to watch adults overreact and make a big fuss.
Mystery Puzzle Treasure Hunt Game
Let’s try a treasure hunt game that’s full of excitement and anticipation about what you’ll find! First, hide some treasures around the house or within the kindergarten/daycare.
Then prepare missions—like quizzes—to help find the treasures.
By solving them in order, the players will reach the prize.
Make the puzzles feel like a mystery game, but simple enough for children to solve.
Basically, let the kids try on their own, and if they seem stuck, give them a small hint.
Be sure to prepare a wonderful treasure that will delight the hardworking children!
paprika
The song “Paprika” has become so popular that there might not be a child who doesn’t know it now.
It was created as the theme song for NHK’s “2020 Support Project,” a project aimed at cheering on people working toward the future.
There’s also a version sung by Kenshi Yonezu, who wrote, composed, and produced the song, and it’s well known from programs like NHK’s “Minna no Uta.” It’s adorable when kids dance to it, and it’s wonderful when adults perform the dance to show the children, too.