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)
agar play
Agar-based safe clay: agar clay.
With its unique, jiggly texture that’s surprisingly addictive to the touch, this clay is made primarily from food ingredients, so it’s safe even if a little ends up in the mouth—perfect for playing with small children.
There are products from various brands, but you can also make it yourself, which might be fun to try.
You can use agar and water, and even a mold like a milk carton to pour it into, so you can make it with items you already have at home.
Mix in different food colorings to create lots of colorful batches!
soap bubble
Bubbles are loved by both adults and kids, and it’s exciting when lots of them float around all at once.
We used to play by blowing through straws, but now there are all kinds of bubble products.
There are ones that make big bubbles and ones that create many bubbles at once—you can choose what to use depending on the occasion.
omikuji (a Japanese fortune slip typically drawn at Shinto shrines or Buddhist temples)
Speaking of food stalls and festival nights, that means the grounds of a Shinto shrine.
And when you think of a shrine… yes, omikuji fortune slips! If you offer a variety of omikuji, they’re sure to become the talk of the town.
Not only store-bought omikuji—making your own is a great idea, too.
Come up with irresistibly fun themes together, like love fortunes, future fortunes, or grade fortunes.
You can also get creative with how you hand them out: have a swimming goldfish choose a fortune, pick one by shooting an arrow, or draw one with a roulette wheel—the possibilities are endless!
Beigoma (spinning top)
How about incorporating traditional Japanese games into your booths for a school or cultural festival? For example, with beigoma, people of all ages can play together.
Beigoma is a game where you spin small iron tops without axles on a platform and compete to see whose top keeps spinning the longest.
Since several people spin their tops on the same platform, the tops naturally collide.
Staying on the platform without being knocked off is another key to winning.
Because of this, there are several ways to wind the string for beigoma.
It’s likely to create a friendly atmosphere where everyone teaches each other how to wind the string and shares tips on throwing.
children’s dance
A classic choice for recitals and performances is dance.
It’s an act that works regardless of the number of participants and is enjoyable for the audience too.
Large group dances are impressive to watch, and even with a small group you can create excitement by coordinating costumes and more.
If it’s for a festival or fair, it’s also great to liven things up with dances and songs in the style of Bon Odori.
Above all, children dancing are simply adorable, and I think parents and spectators alike can join in and have a lively, fun time together!
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!
children’s taiko drums
When you think of festival music, it’s all about the flute and the taiko drums, right? In some regions, there are children’s taiko teams, and festivals often serve as their recital.
Even if you don’t practice year-round, preparing for the festival and putting on a performance can really liven things up.
We don’t get many chances to hear taiko drums, so it’s great to experience their sound in person at events like these.