Games that liven up festivals. Ideas that children can enjoy.
Festivals and fair days are fun events that kids can take part in, aren’t they? In addition to local festivals, many kindergartens, nursery schools, and elementary schools also plan summer festivals, don’t they? In this article, we’ve gathered ideas for festival games and activities recommended for those who want to find games that kids will love or want to know about events beyond food stalls.
It’s packed with fun ideas you can enjoy both indoors and outdoors, so please use it as a reference.
If you’re making the games by hand, having the children help will make great memories!
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Games that liven up festivals. Ideas that children can enjoy (41–50)
Ping-pong ball cup-in
This is a game where you line up clear cups and throw ping-pong balls into them.
It can be enjoyed by people of all ages and genders.
Set rules such as a time limit or the number of balls to throw, and award prizes based on how many balls land in the cups to make it more exciting.
Empty Can Fishing Game
Introducing an “Empty Can Fishing Game” that kids will want to try over and over.
Just attach paper clips or rings to empty cans and use a fishing line with a magnet or hook to lift them—simple rules that even adults can’t help getting absorbed in.
It takes concentration and a bit of technique, making you want to keep trying.
Add point values to the cans or sort them by color to make it more game-like and even more fun.
Adjust the can sizes and distances to suit the child’s age so it can be enjoyed safely.
It’s easy to prepare, low-cost, and perfect for game corners at festivals and summer fairs.
Gem scooping
Shops with scooping games—like goldfish scooping, yo-yo balloon scooping, and super ball scooping—really spark that urge to take on a challenge.
Part of the appeal is how easy they seem: you find yourself thinking, “I could do that,” or “Even I can get one.” That’s why I recommend the glittering “gem scooping.” You’re scooping toy gems, of course, but combined with the festival atmosphere, you somehow end up wanting them.
You can probably source fake jewelry that looks real at a low cost, so it’d be nice to mix a few in as prizes.
Candy shaped like rings would likely be a hit, too!
New Year’s gift game
First, make a tray-like shape using a piece of cardboard.
Cut a hole in the center that’s slightly larger than the balls.
Put in ten or more balls, and compete to see who can drop all of them through the hole the fastest.
At first, since there are many balls, they fall quickly, but once there are only a few left, it gets quite tricky.
You’ll need to tilt it deliberately to aim, or they won’t drop easily.
Do your best and try not to get frustrated!
Pocky & Pretz Game
Let me introduce a heart-pounding Pocky & Pretz Game where you’ll be on edge wondering if it will topple over.
For the Pocky sticks, roll sheets of newspaper into long, thin rods and use yellow and black duct tape to make them look like Pocky.
For the Pretz sticks, roll newspaper the same way, wrap them with yellow tape, and use colored pens to draw toasted patterns.
The key is to keep the length and thickness as uniform as possible.
Since you’ll be working with your hands while seated, you can enjoy the activity from the preparation stage.
Once you’ve set the Pocky sticks in a ring, take turns removing one stick at a time.
The person who causes the Pocky to fall when they pull a stick loses.
It’s a great game for getting a big group excited!
