Wonderful school festival / cultural festival

[Casino at the School Festival] Introducing classic casino games like cards and dice

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

Want to try a casino at your school festival? Still not sure which games will really get everyone excited? If you choose interactive games that anyone can enjoy—from small groups to large crowds—your classroom is sure to be buzzing with energy.

With some creativity, you can create a realistic atmosphere using darts, bingo, medal/ticket games, and more.

Here, we’ll show you how to set up a casino that will liven up your school festival—from classic, money-free games to ideas for authentic interior design.

Classic and Interactive Casino Games (1–10)

Money Wheel

How to Play: Money Wheel

Money Wheel

The money wheel, which has a strong element of luck and a thrilling feel, pairs well with effects using projectors or apps and makes for an exciting game in classrooms or gymnasiums.

Numbers are arranged on the wheel, and players bet by predicting which number it will stop on.

If the wheel stops on the predicted number, players earn points based on the amount they wagered.

Although it looks simple, there’s more strategy than meets the eye, and it’s fun to calculate probabilities and returns.

It also highlights each player’s style—whether they spread their bets or go all-in on a single number.

Having someone act as a dealer adds a more authentic atmosphere and helps the whole audience get into the excitement.

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Origami poker chip

Origami Poker Chip

Origami poker chip

We’ll show you how to make poker chips used in casino poker games out of origami.

Fold while making crisp creases as you go.

Fold it into a pinwheel shape, then inflate the pocket section to form the round disk shape of a poker chip.

By using origami paper in your favorite colors or with patterns, you can create original poker chips.

Once you tidy up the shape at the end, it’s done! The steps are simple and easy to follow, so give it a try.

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Classic and hands-on casino games (11–20)

slot

How to Play and Strategy for the 'Las Vegas Casino' Slot Game (Beginner Edition)

slot

You’ve probably seen slot machines at arcades and might have even played them.

The basic rule is to match the same picture across three positions horizontally or diagonally.

Since it’s hard to get a real slot machine, try making one out of cardboard or use a craft kit—they’re available for purchase.

To keep things simple, don’t create lots of diagonal or other matching lines; just make it so that matching one horizontal row counts.

That way, the rules stay simple and even small children can enjoy it easily!

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medal game

[Dream Home Arcade Complete] A full reveal of how to build a medal game out of cardboard! Ideas for easy, exciting play at home

medal game

This is a medal game you can make by customizing cardboard and set up in classrooms or hallways for a school festival.

If you get creative with the lever and coin slot, you can build a realistic, three-dimensional machine.

When you insert a medal, it travels down slopes and through dividers; it’s a success if it lands in a scoring zone or a prize zone.

To ensure the medals slide smoothly, it’s important to fine-tune the slope angles and the widths of the dividers.

By setting rules for how to play, you can tally points and rank players, enhancing the gameplay.

Not only is it fun to play, but the building process itself becomes a collaborative class activity, making it a memorable idea for the school festival.

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Handmade billiards table

[DIY] Handmade Billiards Table

Handmade billiards table

How about livening up your school festival with a handmade billiards table? It’s said that the world’s first billiards table was made for Louis XI in 1469.

I had no idea it was such a historic sport—how surprising! For the table, use materials like plywood and 2×4 lumber.

If you connect the sections with hinges, you can fold it in half for easy storage.

For the balls, buy round wooden pieces, paint them, and write the numbers on them.

Set a tea strainer or mesh under the pocket openings to catch the balls.

Once you cover the entire surface with felt, it’s complete.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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