[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 (51–60)
Treasure Hunt Game
@kichijyo Treasure hunt game 🔑✨ Find the key and get the treasure ✨✨✨.#Nursery schoolNew fiscal yearTreasure HunttranslationAdvancement to the next gradeCongratulationsPresentGunma PrefectureFujioka City#Kichijo Nursery School
♬ Peach Story – Ren Chen & Yu Xing
Let’s go on a hunt for a special treasure! Here are some treasure hunt game ideas.
These ideas will give kids an exciting, heart-pounding adventure! Follow clues to find the hidden treasure while exploring the playground or the room.
It’s so much fun to team up with friends and search, thinking, “Maybe it’s hidden over there!” As a variation, you can hide treasures and give out stickers or small gifts each time a treasure is found to make it feel extra special.
It’s a wonderful game to play with friends and teachers, enjoying the sense of accomplishment together!
Ball-carrying race with a plate
Use a headband, such as a katyusha-style headband, to secure a paper plate on top of your head.
Place a ping-pong ball (or similar object) on it, and race from the start to the finish without dropping it.
It doesn’t have to be a ping-pong ball—for example, you could use an apple or other fruit, which might look cute.
Carrying ping-pong balls with chopsticks
Chopsticks are a “tool” that symbolizes Japanese cuisine.
Let’s also feature them as an item that can boost the fun for Children’s Day, which is connected to traditional Japanese events.
The basic action is picking up a ping-pong ball with chopsticks.
The method is simple, but it’s surprisingly difficult when you try it.
For example, prepare two plates, each with about ten ping-pong balls, and have two players use chopsticks to pick up balls and place them into the other person’s plate.
When time is up, the player with fewer balls left on their own plate wins.
This is one way to enjoy it.
Dizzy Bat & Shoot
How about a game where, after doing a “guruguru bat”—placing your forehead on a baseball bat standing upright on the ground and spinning your body around it—you then try to shoot a soccer ball into the goal? It kind of fuses baseball and soccer, and it might be welcomed by fans of both…
[Childcare] Games and Performances That Liven Up Children’s Day (61–70)
Spot the difference
Doesn’t spot-the-difference make you feel nostalgic, remembering how often you played it as a kid? When I was little, there were two illustrations and you had to find the differences between them, but these days there are tons of spot-the-difference puzzles available even in free videos.
In connection with Children’s Day, how about trying a spot-the-difference featuring carp streamers and the like? You could also compete by giving 1 point for each difference found and tallying up totals.
Adults might end up getting more fired up than the kids!
Making koinobori (carp streamers) with handprint stamps
“We don’t have a koinobori at home…” Don’t worry! Let’s make one at home.
With 94 cm-wide shoji paper, a pencil, a utility knife, a rice bowl, glue, a ruler, colored paper, paints, thick paper, and a stapler, anyone can quickly make a koinobori.
The key point is the koinobori’s eye.
Place a rice bowl on the colored paper and trace it with a pencil.
Use bowls of three different sizes—large, medium, and small—to make three circles, and you’ll have a pop-out koinobori eye! Prepare black, red, and blue paints.
Paint the entire koinobori, then add leftover colored paper or handprints on top to create colorful scales, and your koinobori is complete!
water gun
Speaking of Children’s Day, it’s the season of fresh greenery—early summer.
The days are warm, and sometimes even hot.
It’s the time of year when we start longing for the water’s edge.
If the weather is pleasant enough that getting a little wet feels good, how about playing with water guns? These days you can even find fancy water guns at 100-yen shops.
The type of water gun and the rules are up to you.
Get creative and tailor them to the time, place, and the people you’re with.
In conclusion
We’ve introduced lots of ideas, from games everyone can enjoy to activities for adults to showcase, but did any spark your interest? On Children’s Day, we want to make as many of the kids’ wishes and play ideas come true as possible.
Here’s hoping it becomes a day everyone can enjoy—one that leaves wonderful memories for both adults and children.