Ideas for Childcare Quizzes to Enjoy in January
This time, we’re bringing you a fun quiz themed around January.
When you think of January, the big event is New Year’s, right?
From kagami mochi and omikuji to osechi cuisine, there are probably lots of things you’ve heard of but don’t fully know.
Why not learn while having fun by trying a quiz on them?
We’ve also included plenty of quizzes related to January beyond New Year’s, so be sure to give them a try!
By the time you’ve finished all the questions, you’ll surely know more about January than anyone else!
I want to enjoy January! A collection of childcare quiz ideas (1–10)
What is the spinning toy that people play with during the New Year?
- kite flying
- spinning tops
- pinwheel
See the answer
spinning tops
Spinning tops during the New Year is considered auspicious. You can easily make them using scrap materials around you, so it’s also fun to craft and play with them. With a traditional string-powered top, once you get the hang of spinning it, you might even learn tricks like balancing it on your hand!
What is something you draw at a shrine during the New Year?
- omikuji (a Japanese fortune slip typically drawn at Shinto shrines or Buddhist temples)
- piano
- cold
See the answer
omikuji (a Japanese fortune slip typically drawn at Shinto shrines or Buddhist temples)
When the New Year comes, we go to a shrine for our first visit, right? That’s where we draw omikuji, fortune slips. It’s exciting because by drawing one, you can find out your luck for the year. “Daikichi” (great blessing) is said to be the best fortune, while “kyo” (bad luck) and “daikyo” (great bad luck) are considered unfavorable. But even if you draw “daikyo,” it’s said that good things are actually waiting for you from then on!
On January 7th, we eat rice porridge with vegetables; how many kinds of vegetables are in it?
- 5 types
- 7 types
- 10 types
See the answer
7 types
Rice porridge made with seven kinds of vegetables is called “Haru no Nanakusa” and is also known as “nanakusa-gayu.” The vegetables—suzuna, suzushiro, seri, nazuna, gogyo, hakobera, and hotokenoza—have names that may sound unfamiliar. On January 7, let’s eat it while praying that we will not have accidents or illnesses throughout the year!
Which of the following is a very fun New Year’s game that soars through the sky?
- fried squid
- kite flying
- karaage (Japanese-style fried chicken)
See the answer
kite flying
Kite flying is done to pray for children’s growth and health, and it also carries the meaning that children place their wishes on the kite and send them up to the heavens. Normally you run to launch a kite, but if you make good use of the wind, you can send it soaring high into the sky without running!
Which of the following is the appropriate greeting for the New Year?
- Happy New Year, good morning.
- Happy New Year!
- Congratulations, everyone!
See the answer
Happy New Year!
“Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu” is a phrase used to celebrate the New Year. It is said to be a joyous greeting that shares the happiness of safely welcoming the New Year deity. When you meet people or friends during the New Year, greet them with “Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu” and share the joy of the new year!
What do you call the first dream you have in the New Year?
- first dream of the year
- New Dream
- late dream
See the answer
first dream of the year
Hatsuyume refers to the dream you have on the night of January 1. Among those hatsuyume, it’s said to be especially auspicious if it includes “ichi-Fuji, ni-taka, san-nasubi” (Mount Fuji, a hawk, and an eggplant). You wouldn’t usually expect to dream about Mount Fuji, a hawk, or an eggplant, but they’re said to bring good luck if you see them on January 1—so I’d love to have such a dream!
How many tiers are stacked in the kagami mochi displayed for New Year?
- Level 1
- two-tier
- 10th Dan
See the answer
two-tier
A kagami mochi has a two-tier shape, with a smaller rice cake stacked on top of a larger one. The reason it has two tiers is that it carries meanings like “to age well” and “good fortune piling up.” While two tiers are common, in some regions or depending on where it’s displayed, there are also three-tier kagami mochi.