Lovely Play & Recreation

Fun for adults and kids alike! Home festival ideas to capture the lively spirit of a Japanese matsuri

Keyboard playerSAKI
I’ve been playing the Electone since I was six, mainly performing Disney music, anime songs, and music from dramas and films. I post performance videos on YouTube and social media, and I also give concerts. Building on my Electone experience, I took up synthesizer and piano during my student years and performed at school-sponsored events. As a writer, I’ve covered not only music-related topics but a wide range of genres, so I hope to draw on my experience to deliver articles that make readers think, “I want to try that!” or “I want to listen to that!”
lighterutatane
A person from the melodic hardcore boom generation who loves music, photography, and eating. I’ve been going to live houses for over 20 years. I’m at the age where summer festivals are starting to feel tough physically. I sometimes try shooting live photos and videos for MVs. I’m not great at English, so I often listen to straightforward Japanese rock that hits directly, but if someone recommends something, I’ll listen to anything—Western or Japanese—broadly and casually. I like cooking while listening to music; it’s a nice way to relieve stress.

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!

[Fun for adults and kids alike!] Home festival ideas to enjoy a festive atmosphere (21–30)

Cardboard Frisbee

@yuri_mama4254
Done in 1 minute! Super-flying cardboard frisbee Got a pile of cardboard? In that case… A cardboard frisbee you can make in one minute that flies amazingly and is so fun! ❣️ My daughter could launch it too ✨ Kids build problem-solving skills by experimenting to make it fly well 👏 Materials: • Cardboard • Rubber bands • Stickers, markers (for decoration) Tips for playing: • If the slits are cut at too wide an angle, the rubber band won’t catch well—be careful. • When launching, it flew better when the slits weren’t too far to the back (on your side). Check the video 😊 I’d be happy if you leave a comment saying, “We played!” 💕 Thanks for watching till the end ❤️❤️ Try making one yourself 😆 ☆－－－－☆－－－－☆－－－－☆－－－－☆ Hello 😊 I’m Riyu, an active nursery school teacher 🌷 I share at-home play ideas to solve “What should I do with the kids?” ✨ Instagram → @riyu_asobi There are posts only on Instagram too 😊 Come take a look 🎶 ☆－－－－☆－－－－☆－－－－☆－－－－☆#AtHomePlay　#AtHomePlay　#StayHomeTime　Ideas for at-home play　#HandmadeToys　Craft play　Craft Play　Play ideas　
Sakur a, Gently Fluttering – Southern All Stars

After cutting the cardboard into a circle, make a triangular notch in one spot.

Decorate the cardboard with stickers or drawings using a pen.

Hook a rubber band onto it and let go of the cardboard—it will fly.

You can make the target out of cardboard as well, or simply stack paper cups for an easy option.

The frisbee’s size is up to you, but if it’s too big or too small it can be hard to handle, so around 10 centimeters is recommended.

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Lucky Ball

When I ran a game with a 0.0% success rate at the summer festival... the unexpected happened... [Annual Summer Festival Volunteer]

Lucky Ball

Lucky Ball is a game whose play style and format vary by region.

You’ll find similar booths—or attractions—at places like Disneyland and Universal Studios Japan.

You set up cups or use a board drilled with holes in a grid, then toss baseball-sized balls to play.

Decide your own rules: aim to land balls in designated colors, line them up vertically or horizontally like bingo, and so on.

As long as you can throw a ball, anyone—young or old—can enjoy it, making it perfect for a school festival with a wide range of attendees.

And don’t forget the big plush toy prizes to steal the show!

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[Fun for adults and kids alike!] Home festival ideas to capture that matsuri vibe (31–40)

Takoyaki Ball Toss

@yumelabo
Hello, this is Yume Labo! Here’s Part 2 of the second installment introducing the summer festival corners from the Kannon Classroom⭐️ We’ve made a small improvement to the takoyaki machine, adjusting it so it goes from a slant to a flat surface. It’s now easier for children to put them in! The staff member from last time is making a comeback—how many will fit this time!? The summer festival is finally happening this weekend! We hope parents and children will enjoy it together 😊#YumeLab Praise-based therapy Child Development Support Child Development Support Yume Lab #HandmadeToys A child's potential is limitless.Aki District, Fuchu Town Nishi Ward, Hiroshima City #Minami Ward, Hiroshima City #Parent-Child Event #TherapeuticSupportGoods Exercise Therapy Summer Festival Takoyaki
♬ Make-it-somehow Fanfare – Appare!

Let’s have fun throwing balls! Here’s an idea for a Takoyaki Ball-Toss game.

When you think of summer festivals, delicious food stalls are the highlight, right? This time, let’s try a ball-toss game decorated like a takoyaki stall.

Cut nine holes into a black cardboard panel.

It’s cute if you color the balls to look like takoyaki.

The key is to control your strength so the takoyaki balls land in all the holes! Be sure to include this at your summer festival.

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mini basketball

@brechojuribas
Construímos um jogo de Mini Basketball para a festa junina, querem tutorial? #tutorial #festajunina #arraia #festajunina2025 #minibasketball #basketball #jogo #minijogo #vaipraforyou #foryoupage #fyp
♬ som original – Ju Ribas

Let’s make something with items you have at home! Here are ideas for a mini basketball game.

These are great for anyone who wants to set up a basketball-like corner.

You’ll need cardboard or boards, paint, construction paper, plastic cups, double-sided tape or glue, clothespins, and balls made by crumpling paper.

The appeal is that you can make it with materials found at home or in a classroom! Give it a try.

You can also adapt it by changing to a hand-thrown ball method to suit the child’s age.

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Turtle scooping

I'm going to scoop turtles. #TurtleScooping #turtle #shorts

Turtle scooping

Try scooping up turtles that are floating and swimming around! Here are some ideas for a turtle-scooping game.

Fill a plastic pool or tub with water and float plastic turtles in it.

You can adjust the tools to match the children’s ages, using scoops or paper scoops (poi), and enjoy the turtle-scooping fun.

Decorating the area with light-blue plastic bags or raffia tape to create an ocean theme will help set the mood.

Give it a try and create a game corner that gets kids excited!

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Play footage of fireworks

Fireworks that beautifully color the night sky are the grand finale of a festival, leaving you with a real sense that it was a fun celebration.

Since actually launching fireworks yourself is difficult, how about getting into the mood by watching them on video? It’s a good idea to be selective with your video choices and to watch in an environment that makes the visuals stand out even more.

After experiencing powerful footage, you might feel an even stronger desire to go there in person and feel the sound and vibrations of the fireworks yourself.

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baby castella (mini Japanese sponge cakes)

Fluffy and Chewy: How to Make Baby Castella with a Takoyaki Maker! Super Easy with Pancake Mix [Home Festival]

baby castella (mini Japanese sponge cakes)

Baby castella, often seen in the snack aisle at supermarkets, have a gentle sweetness that makes them easy to eat one after another.

So why not add baby castella to your at-home festival? Make the batter by mixing pancake mix, raw cane sugar, mirin, olive oil, and two eggs, then cook it in a takoyaki maker.

Since you stack two pieces baked in the takoyaki maker, it’s also recommended to sandwich your favorite fillings between them to add variety to the flavors.

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