Lovely Play & Recreation

[Exercise] Recreational Ideas for Olympic Sports

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.
A Vocaloid producer who is also a music writerAraki Jakkan
I’ve worked in a variety of roles—regardless of pro or amateur settings—including live event PA, cameraman for video and photography, restaurant staff, and logistics center staff. I now spend my days as a part-time writer. I’ve contributed to music and manga websites with feature/review articles, and wrote the liner notes included as a bonus for 1st PLACE Inc.’s “IA SUPER BEST.” As for my music background, I started playing guitar in junior high and focused on band activities during my school years. For over 15 years since then, up to the present, I’ve continued releasing original tracks as a Vocaloid producer. My areas of expertise are Japanese rock, Vocaloid, and manga.

Many children look forward to the Olympics that come around once every four years!

Even with sports they don’t know, watching can make them want to cheer.

Seeing athletes compete with all their might can inspire kids to think, “I want to try that too!”

Here, we’ll share fun recreation ideas inspired by Olympic events.

These activities let children from preschool to elementary school move their bodies with ease, so everyone can have fun being active together—play energetically and enjoy yourselves!

[Exercise] Recreational ideas for Olympic sports (21–30)

mini archery

[Workshop] Let's Make and Play! Archery

mini archery

Archery is popular around the world, especially in Asia and Europe.

It’s a sport where you shoot arrows at a target, offering simple rules yet deep gameplay.

To make the arrows, cut slits into the end of a straw filled with decorative balls.

Next, combine a rubber band and a bamboo skewer to make the bow.

Once you attach an illustration with a target, you’re ready to go.

Put tape on the tip of the decorative ball and shoot the bow to hit the target.

It’s a recommended activity because you can focus on it carefully without moving your body too much.

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Balloon badminton

On hot days, play indoors! Let's play balloon badminton♪

Balloon badminton

As the name suggests, balloon badminton—played by using a balloon as the shuttle—is a recreational game that even small children can enjoy with ease.

Because both the racket made from a paper plate and chopsticks and the balloon shuttle are lightweight, it’s great that people without much stamina can play for a long time.

Plus, drawing your favorite pictures or decorating the paper-plate part of the racket can boost motivation to play again.

Although it’s a relaxed activity, it helps train dynamic visual acuity by requiring you to accurately track and hit the moving balloon, making it a highly recommended game.

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Hoshino Takashi

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In conclusion

We introduced Olympic-themed recreational activities that are perfect for kids from preschool through elementary school! There were plenty of ideas that make use of items you can find anywhere, like at home.

Let’s all have fun moving our bodies with lots of energy and aim for our very own gold medals!