Traditional Games: Fun Old-Time Play. Popular Activities Useful in Childcare
Traditional folk games that have long been loved in Japan are packed with timeless charms that captivate children across generations.
Because folk games let us experience old cultures and local traditions, we want to pass many of these games from adults down to children.
In this feature, we’ll introduce a wide variety of such time-honored folk games.
We’ve gathered many activities kids can truly get absorbed in—everything from physical games, to ones using traditional toys like ohajiki (small playing pieces) and stilts, to word- and song-based games like karuta and chachatsubo.
We hope you’ll incorporate them in nursery schools and kindergartens and enjoy them together with the children.
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[Traditional Games] Fun Old-Time Play: Popular Activities for Childcare (11–20)
hopscotch
The traditional game “Kenkenpa” is perfect for kids to play outdoors.
Many of you may have played it by drawing circles in a park or on the road.
It’s also said to help improve children’s motor skills, which are declining as they have fewer opportunities to play outside, so we highly recommend it.
Draw a pattern on the ground combining one circle and two circles.
Land on one foot in a single circle and on both feet in the two circles.
Adjust the spacing of the circles according to age, and try jumping to a rhythm! It helps develop balance on one and two feet, as well as strength, endurance, flexibility, and overall athletic ability.
Spinning a top
When it comes to traditional New Year’s games, many people probably think of spinning tops (koma).
Since it takes a bit of technique to spin a top properly, children might need a little practice before they can play.
Tops come in many materials—tin, wood, plastic, and more—so choose one that’s easy for your child to handle.
The key is how you wind the string.
Depending on which hand is dominant, you may wind it left or right.
Practice is the only way to master a cool spin! Try playing together with friends and family and have fun.
karuta (traditional Japanese playing cards)
When it comes to classic New Year’s games, “karuta” is a staple! Karuta is a traditional game enjoyed by a wide range of ages, from sets for children to competitive play.
Basically, there are reading cards and grabbing cards based on the 46 sounds of Japanese; players race to grab the card whose picture matches the initial sound of the card being read aloud.
In the case of Hyakunin Isshu, which is themed around classical waka poems, the grabbing cards don’t have pictures; instead, they show the second half of each poem.
Because it helps develop letter recognition and quick reflexes, why not incorporate it into everyday play, not just during the New Year holidays?
Chinese jump rope
“Gomu-tobi” (rubber band jumping) is a traditional game that you can play even without a large space.
It’s fun indoors or outdoors for all ages, making it perfect for playtime at home, kindergarten, or daycare.
Prepare a flat elastic band, and have two people hold the ends.
Change the height—on the ground, at the ankles, knees, and waist—and have players jump over it.
As the band gets higher, the difficulty increases and it becomes harder to clear, so if someone catches the band, switch who’s holding it.
For small children or beginners, playing on a mat is a safe option!
I wonder if the rice crackers are done.
A traditional game where you pretend your hands are rice crackers is called “Has the rice cracker finished baking?” Face your friends and hold out both hands facing down.
One person points to each player’s hands in turn while saying, “O-senbe yaketa kana?” (Has the rice cracker finished baking?).
The person whose hand is pointed at on the last syllable “na” flips that hand over.
Then, starting with the next person, repeat the action in order.
If a person whose hand has already been flipped is pointed at again, their rice cracker is done! Anyone whose both hands (both rice crackers) are done is out of the game.
It’s perfect for indoor play—try it at home, in kindergarten, or at daycare during indoor activities.