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[Childcare] Recommended for Tanabata party! Fun and exciting performance/activity ideas
In the lead-up to Tanabata on July 7, nursery schools and kindergartens decorate bamboo branches and hold Tanabata gatherings together.
For those wondering, “What kind of performance should we do for this year’s Tanabata event?”, here are a variety of ideas! From songs and picture books to paper puppet shows, black theater, and even a planetarium, there are many special activities that children will enjoy.
Use these suggestions for your program, and have a wonderful Tanabata that both children and adults can enjoy.
[Childcare] Recommended for Tanabata events! Fun and exciting performance/activity ideas (1–10)
Tanabata Circuit
If you want to add a slightly different activity to your Tanabata party, the “Tanabata Circuit” is a great choice.
It’s an activity where preschool and kindergarten children can move their bodies and have fun while experiencing the world of Tanabata—jumping to reach Orihime and Hikoboshi’s stars, crawling through the Milky Way tunnel, and more.
With simple props and decorations, you can create the perfect atmosphere, and the kids will be thrilled! They’ll enjoy it like a game, naturally get some exercise, and feel a sense of accomplishment, too.
You can also adjust the difficulty based on age, which is another plus.
It’s an idea that makes your Tanabata event even more fun and memorable.
The origin of Tanabata
To make the Tanabata gathering more meaningful, why not share the origin of Tanabata with the children? If you introduce the story of Orihime and Hikoboshi using illustrations or a picture-story show, it will really draw them in.
It’s also fun to present tidbits like: Why do we hang tanzaku (wish strips)? Why do we make wishes to the stars? Why do we eat somen noodles?—in a quiz format.
Even very young children can participate intuitively, and everyone will get excited together.
After each correct answer, add a brief explanation so the significance of the event is clearly conveyed.
This idea, which blends learning and play, is likely to become the new standard for Tanabata gatherings.
Tanabata Paper Puppet Show
If you’re unsure what to perform for a Tanabata event, a “Tanabata paper puppet show (peepshow)” is highly recommended.
Hugely popular with preschool and kindergarten children, this performance is a story-style puppet show using characters made of paper.
Add a bit of humor and some songs to the tale of Hikoboshi and Orihime, and the kids will be thrilled.
The story becomes even more enjoyable depending on the teachers’ expressions and tone of voice, creating a sense of unity throughout the venue.
It’s easy to prepare, low-cost, and if teachers share the roles, you can broaden the staging possibilities.
It’s a top-notch idea that captures the season and lets everyone have fun together!
Tanzaku Panel Theater
Here’s a panel theater with wish slips (tanzaku) that will liven up your Tanabata event.
When you think of Tanabata, many children write their wishes on tanzaku, right? In this story, those tanzaku appear on the panel.
There’s a tanzaku filled with wishes but no name written on it.
Whose tanzaku could it be? As you read the wishes, encourage the children to guess who wrote it.
Using a piano or guitar to boost the excitement is also recommended.
At the end, ask the children what kind of wishes they would like to make!
Tanabata Sketchbook Theater
The biggest advantage of a “sketchbook theater” is, without a doubt, how easy it is to carry around.
Once you’ve made it, you can enjoy it with the children not only at a group Tanabata gathering, but also in the classroom, much like reading a picture book.
With a Tanabata story theme, you can swap characters in and out and bring out the Milky Way to match the flow of the story.
If you make Hikoboshi and Orihime slide, it’s easy to show them being together and then becoming separated.
It’s also easy to store and can be used year after year, so definitely give making a sketchbook theater a try.
The Story of Tanabata
As an introduction to Tanabata, we recommend telling “The Story of Tanabata.” Instead of just having the children listen, weave in questions as you go to fully capture their interest.
For example, ask: “What was Hikoboshi doing again?” or “Why were Orihime and Hikoboshi separated?” Adding these questions draws them into the tale and sparks their curiosity.
Using a picture-story show (kamishibai) or paper puppets helps them enjoy it visually and makes it easier to maintain their attention.
If you finish by singing the song “Tanabata-sama” together, you can bring the event to a warm, gentle close.
Connecting the lyrics to the story deepens the children’s understanding and creates a memorable Tanabata moment.
Tanabata school lunch
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_Czrd3h2PF/Many teachers are probably thinking about creating a special school lunch that lets children feel the spirit of Tanabata.
If you decorate somen noodles with star shapes made using cutters, you’ll have Milky Way-style somen.
Add shredded omelet and sliced boiled okra to complete the star-shaped decorations.
Incorporating summer vegetables that the children have grown into the menu may increase their interest in food.
By getting creative with school lunch for the event, you can deepen the meaning of the celebration and make it even more enjoyable!