Lovely childcare

[Childcare] Recommended for Tanabata party! Fun and exciting performance/activity ideas

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
9 years of experience as a nursery school teacherShibata Risa
I am an active nursery school teacher with 9 years of experience. After graduating from university, I worked at a daycare center. The time I spent happily with children—playing piano, singing songs, and doing finger-play—are priceless memories to me. Currently, while raising three children of my own, I work at an after-school day service, engaging with children and providing individualized developmental support. Drawing on my diverse experiences as a childcare worker and as a mother, I hope to express and convey my thoughts through writing.

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 Eurhythmics

[July Eurhythmics 🎵 Tanabata Rhythm Play ☆彡] For ages 3–5 ✨ Let’s play with the rhythms of Tanabata! ✨ Parent-child eurhythmics, also usable in childcare settings

Tanabata Eurhythmics

Here’s a Tanabata-themed eurhythmics activity you can enjoy even in a limited space.

Walk along to the Tanabata song while preparing hula hoops, scarves, bells, and colored construction paper.

Along the way, move your body freely to the music and gently sway the scarves to enjoy the eurhythmics.

By changing the size of the colored paper, children can visually enjoy the differences in stiffness and also vary their movements, which may make the activity more engaging.

Adding castanets or maracas is also recommended.

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Staff Play: The Tanabata Story

[Childcare] Tanabata Story [Staff Play]

Staff Play: The Tanabata Story

How about putting on a play to share the Tanabata story with children, performed by preschool or kindergarten teachers? Assign roles for Orihime, Hikoboshi, and the deity, and follow the storyline.

It’s helpful to prepare simple props—like a cow or a loom—made from cardboard, so the children can visualize the story more easily.

While sewing costumes from scratch is great, if you’re short on time, try making them using colored plastic bags.

If you include songs or quizzes along the way, the children will stay engaged and enjoy it right to the end!

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playing planetarium

Sequel: “Tanabata Play – Pretend Planetarium” [5-Year-Olds] | Minami Senrioka Yui-Ken Nursery School [Daycare/Kindergarten Event]

playing planetarium

Here’s a make-believe planetarium activity everyone can enjoy.

After buying handmade tickets, move to the room prepared as the planetarium.

The night sky projected on the screen shows stars.

A key point is to help children relate by comparing the shapes of lines connecting the stars to familiar foods, and similar ideas.

Finally, have the children draw their own original constellations and hold a planetarium screening.

By punching holes around their sketched drawings, light will shine through the holes when the room is dark, creating a wonderfully charming planetarium.

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[Childcare] Recommended for Tanabata parties! Fun, crowd-pleasing performance ideas (11–20)

[Introductory fingerplay] Tanabata Bata-BataLyrics by / Music by: Boku to Kimi

[July Tanabata hand play] Tanabata Bata-Bata ≪Must read≫ Tips and arrangements for use in childcare are listed in the description below ↓ Lyrics/Music: Boku to Kimi.

[Introductory fingerplay] Tanabata Bata-Bata Lyrics by: / Music by: Boku to Kimi

A must-read for teachers wondering how to introduce Tanabata crafts.

Try enjoying the hand play song “Tanabata Bata-Bata” with the children—it answers their question, “What kind of event is Tanabata?” The song expresses Orihime and Hikoboshi’s feelings and situations in words that are easy for kids to understand, helping them picture the story and get excited while deepening their understanding of Tanabata.

It would also be fun to work on the craft while humming the song! Let’s boost the children’s excitement and connect it to their motivation to create.

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Ideas for introducing Tanabata to children

[Event] How to introduce Tanabata for children [Nursery School/Kindergarten]

Ideas for introducing Tanabata to children

If you’re introducing Tanabata to children, a presentation that combines seeing, listening, and making is effective.

Start by presenting the story of Orihime and Hikoboshi using picture-story cards or paper puppets.

Then explain the meanings behind the decorations.

For example, you could say, “The streamers represent the threads woven by Orihime, and they carry the wish to become skilled at sewing and work,” while showing illustrations or the actual decorations to make it easier for children to understand.

After that, shift to “Now let’s try making them!” By following this flow, children will understand that Tanabata isn’t just an event, but a meaningful, special day—and it will surely stay in their hearts.

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Tanabata Play

Part 1: Making Tanabata Decorations & Tanabata Games [Ages 3–5] | Minami Senrioka Yui-en [Nursery/Kindergarten Event]

Tanabata Play

Here are some exciting Tanabata activities.

In the Tanabata relay, where you work together to carry summer vegetables and race to the goal, the key is to match your pace with your friends and cheer each other on so you don’t drop the veggies.

For the star hunt, children attach magnets to the stars they made, then find and fish them up.

Let’s decorate the Milky Way with the sparkly stars we find.

Hop over obstacles that represent the Milky Way, make little bamboo-leaf boats, and race to the finish! Through these games, kids just might learn about Tanabata in a fun way.

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Evening Cool-Off Gathering and Bon Odori

[Bon Odori] Pokémon Ondo - FY Reiwa 5 Evening Cool-off Party - Chidori Nursery School: Chiba City Licensed Nursery School #BonOdori #PokemonOndo #NurserySchool #dance

Evening Cool-Off Gathering and Bon Odori

Speaking of summer, it’s got to be Bon Odori! You often see it at summer festivals, right? So how about hosting an evening cool-off event in hot July and trying Bon Odori with the kids? Put on cute yukata, hold fans in your hands, and dance like it’s a fun routine.

There are surprisingly many Bon Odori songs for children, including ones themed around popular characters.

If you prepare cold drinks and snacks, it’ll become one of your wonderful summer memories.

And starting the event in the evening might feel fresh and exciting for the kids, too.

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