[For Kids] Fun Entertainment and Activities to Liven Up a Festival
We’ve collected ideas for entertaining performances and attractions that will liven up large community fairs as well as school and daycare festival events.
Since these are aimed at children, this is perfect if you’re looking for things like “performances involving lots of kids” or “entertainment for children enjoying the festival.” We’ve selected a variety of ideas, from activities that are especially fun within a close-knit group to ones that get everyone excited—even among people who don’t know each other.
Feeling unsure if you can pull it off? Don’t worry—keep challenging yourself to create wonderful memories, and let’s make it a fun festival!
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[For Kids] Fun Entertainment and Booth Ideas for Festivals (41–50)
Magic Theater
How about putting on a magic theater to liven up the festival? The mechanism where a new picture appears each time you move the cardstock will spark children’s curiosity.
It can be made with simple materials, so parents and children can enjoy making it together, and kids can make it on their own too.
Every time an illustration appears, you’re sure to hear cheers from the children.
It can also be used as a form of communication, so it’s a great idea to make the festival even more fun.
This simple magic theater made from familiar materials is highly recommended—give it a try!
[For Kids] Fun Sideshow Acts and Performances to Liven Up Festivals (51–60)
Chikirin Tournament
Chikirin Bayashi is a folk song from Oita.
It’s a festive hayashi featuring drums and bells.
There’s a version that turns this hayashi into a melody with lyrics, and it’s said that Harumi Miyako released a recording of it in 1971.
In this Chikirin, the bell sounds take the lead and the rhythm is played at a slightly faster tempo.
If you use a small taiko drum and parade while playing, it really livens things up.
body percussion
Body percussion involves using your body like a musical instrument, striking it with your palms to produce sounds.
How about choosing songs that children love or tunes that are likely to get them excited and giving it a try? It’s a performance that can be shown by a single person, and you don’t have to worry much about the number of participants, so it works well even with large groups.
Start with clapping, then as the song progresses, slap your knees, hips, and belly to create bold, resonant sounds! Since you use your whole body, it’s dynamic and also feels like a dance performance.
Rakugo Children’s Performance
There probably aren’t many kids with the refined taste to regularly listen to rakugo.
So how about putting on a rakugo performance? Rakugo may seem difficult at first, but it’s often full of “funny and amusing stories,” so kids are sure to enjoy it.
With big gestures and sound effects, even younger children can have a good time.
It’s best to choose simple, easy-to-understand stories.
Whac-A-Mole
It can also be fun to enjoy the unique thrill of whack-a-mole.
There are several ways to make a DIY whack-a-mole game, but the basic setup is a box with holes, with someone inside popping a mole out through the holes.
And although it’s called whack-a-mole, it can be just as enjoyable if you base the game on other animals.
By the way, a tip to make it more exciting is to make the pattern of the moles appearing as irregular as possible.
The less predictable it is—so players wonder, “Where will it be next?”—the more exciting it will be.
Kids Flea Market
How about having the kids run a flea market by themselves? There are lots of items like children’s clothes and toys that quickly become too small or no longer age-appropriate, yet feel too good to throw away.
Let the kids take the lead in selecting items and setting prices, with other children as the customers.
It’s a great activity that teaches valuing things and the importance of money.
Snowboarding Experience
Snowboarding is usually a winter sport, but this experience sets up a slightly sloped platform right in the city, with a few tweaks to make the board glide more easily.
Participants compete to see if they can ride the board over the platform without falling and stick the landing.
Artificial turf is laid out at the bottom as a cushion.
Put on a helmet and pads and have fun!