![[Childcare] Games and performances that liven up Children's Day](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/ptkg6KgfBBg/maxresdefault.webp)
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] Fun Activities and Performances for Children’s Day (1–10)
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!
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.
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?
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?
Koinobori Pattern Search Game
A carp streamer pattern-hunting game themed for Children’s Day is sure to get everyone engaged and excited! Let’s add patterns to the laminated carp streamers.
Draw a card and find the specified pattern.
It’s best to start with easy tasks and then try more difficult ones.
If you’re playing with a group, decide the order and take turns.
Searching for a designated pattern among many different ones helps improve concentration, making it a highly recommended activity.
4 Balloon Art Ideas
Celebrate the kids with an impactful performance! Here are four balloon art ideas.
Balloon art is the craft of creating various shapes and designs using balloons.
After inflating the balloons, twist and tie them to make animals or flowers.
It’s great to interact and communicate with the children during the making process so everyone has fun together.
From simple to complex pieces, it can be enjoyed at various levels, making it a highly recommended idea.
Let’s make a kabuto (samurai helmet)
Let’s make a special craft just for Children’s Day! Here are some ideas for making a samurai helmet (kabuto).
Even if you’ve finished your main craft for Children’s Day, this is a great idea for something fun to make and play with on the day itself.
Use construction paper in your favorite colors to make a kabuto, then decorate it with stickers and pens.
If you attach string or elastic to the finished kabuto, kids can wear it and enjoy it even more—guaranteed excitement! Be sure to give it a try.