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! Home festival ideas to enjoy the matsuri vibe (41–50)
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!
shaved ice
Shaved ice has become a craze these days, no matter the season.
Kids and adults alike love it! If you have children, there’s a good chance you’ve got a shaved ice machine at home, right? Having those Styrofoam cups with the “Festival” character on them would make it even more exciting.
Prepare a few types of syrups and let everyone pour on as much as they like—this dream setup is sure to be a hit.
Enjoy flavors and all-you-can-pour syrup in a way you can’t at a shop—because it’s a make-believe festival at home!
Strikeout
It’s the familiar game you often see on TV, where you try to throw a ball with force and punch out a target.
You can adjust the difficulty by changing the target size, the distance, and the type of ball used.
The fun of this game is watching the target pop out cleanly when the ball hits it, so focus on that aspect when making your own.
An ideal setup for strikeout would be a sturdy outer frame that isn’t affected by impacts, with lightweight targets attached to it that the ball can punch through.
Photo spot
Why not preserve your special memories in photos? With that in mind, I suggest creating a photo spot.
You can make it however you like—craft a festival sign with a bamboo screen or hang some paper lanterns.
Using a wall or similar surface as the background helps the photos pop.
Of course, taking pictures with a smartphone works, but disposable cameras or instant cameras like a Cheki add great atmosphere.
And since you’re taking photos anyway, I hope you’ll put some thought into your outfits too.
target practice
It’s similar to a shooting gallery, but the target-throw game uses balls, making it safe even for small children.
You can line up prizes on a table and have players aim at them with balls, or set point values for targets and let the prizes vary based on total points.
There are many target-throw sets available for rent, including panel types and parachute types.
If your festival is large, renting is a good option.
For smaller festivals, consider making your own and adjusting the difficulty based on the ages of the participating children.
