Fun for adults and kids alike! Home festival ideas to capture the lively spirit of a Japanese matsuri
Triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have probably found fewer opportunities to fully enjoy themselves outdoors or spend time in crowded places.
There are plenty of fun things to do at home, but lots of kids still look forward to festivals and fair-style events.
However, sometimes festivals aren’t held, or it’s difficult to go where there are crowds.
In times like these, why not host an at-home “Ennichi” fair that you can enjoy with family and friends? Prepare classic festival-style foods and games, and have fun with attractions that are every bit as appealing as the real thing! It’s not just for summer—doing it for your child’s birthday, for example, is sure to make them happy!
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[Fun for adults and kids alike!] Home festival ideas to enjoy a festive atmosphere (21–30)
Strikeout for kids
@nami_aidakko Voice LibraryStrikeoutCardboard artShooting GalleryHashtag-like
♫ Dear Boy — Hump Back
This is a cardboard craft project for a strikeout game that’s super popular at festivals! First, choose a piece of cardboard sized to fit the children.
Cut out a 3×3 grid, then decorate the cut-out pieces.
Finally, adjust the cut-outs so they fit nicely into the frame.
It’s easy to make, and since it’s cardboard, it’s also great for use as a shooting game target! Share ideas, get creative, and have fun together—kids and adults alike!
Target shooting game with an air cannon
Fun for kids and adults alike! This is a shooting game you can enjoy indoors.
Punch a hole in an empty snack box, tie off a balloon’s mouth, and cut off the tip.
Stretch the cut balloon over the hole in the box, then put the original lid back on and secure it with vinyl tape.
Decorate the outside with origami paper, and your air cannon is complete! For targets, you can cut cardboard into any shapes you like and start playing right away, just like a shooting gallery.
It’s easy fun for both kids and adults, so try customizing it for different events and enjoy!
Target game with paper cups and cardboard
This is a handmade cardboard target game that even little kids can enjoy! First, decorate a paper cup however you like, then cut four slits in it.
Secure two rubber bands into the slits.
Make holes in the cardboard that will serve as the target.
For small children, be careful when using scissors or other tools.
You can launch crumpled paper balls for fun, too.
Beyond paper cups, you can also try things like stick-and-rubber-band launchers—feel free to get creative and adapt it to your environment so kids and adults alike can enjoy it!
Cannon cardboard target practice
An idea recommended for those who want to make serious cardboard crafts: the “Cannon Cardboard Target Game.” Both the targets and the cannon are made by assembling pre-cut cardboard parts.
The cannon is a fully featured build with adjustable angles, and inside it has a rod set up to push out a ball using rubber bands.
You pull the rod back and release it to launch the ball with force.
It’s also fun that if you hit the target just right, Bowser falls down.
Why not try making it with your favorite character?
festive decorations
If you want to enjoy a make-believe festival, the first thing to do is get excited about decorating the venue! There are plenty of ways to make it look like a festival site: build stall frames, hang lanterns on the walls and ceiling, play festival-style BGM, and more.
These days, 100-yen shops have an amazingly good selection, so there’s no reason not to take advantage of them.
We also recommend using bamboo blinds (sudare) as a quick way to create a festive vibe.
It’s also a great idea to write the day’s menu on red-bordered POP paper and post it up on the wall!
Hashimaki
One of the joys of recreating festival food at home is getting to eat things you wouldn’t normally find at a typical fair.
That’s why I recommend making hashimaki.
Many people may not be familiar with it.
Hashimaki is essentially okonomiyaki (savory pancake) wrapped around disposable chopsticks.
It’s a staple at festivals in Kyushu and is designed to be eaten while walking.
If you’re from Kyushu, it will bring back the familiar festival atmosphere, and if you’re not, it will feel like you’ve stopped by a festival on your travels.
Use paper cups and plastic containers, etc.
When enjoying a festival or fair at home, a common mistake is serving food on plates.
If you think about it, that’s something you’d never see at a real festival, and it instantly kills the mood.
So when recreating it at home, I recommend using paper cups or plastic containers.
Even foods that you’ve only reheated in the microwave will look like authentic street stall items if you put them in a paper cup.
You can also prepare plastic spoons or straws to suit your taste.