Lovely Play & Recreation

[Parent-Child Rec] Recreational activities and games for parents and children to enjoy together—also great for sports days.

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.
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

We’re introducing recreations, games, and crafts that are perfect for parent–child activities at sports days and for quality time at home!

If you’re a teacher unsure which parent–child events to include in your sports day, or a parent looking for fun activities to enjoy with your child, please feel free to use this as a reference.

If you’re not fond of active movement or don’t have much space, crafts are a great option.

Crafts also leave you with something tangible, making for a wonderful keepsake.

Work together to take on challenges, or create memorable pieces, and strengthen your bond while enjoying parent–child activities!

[Parent-Child Rec] Recreations and games for parents and children to enjoy together. Also great for sports festivals (81–90)

Fluffy Tennis Using Scrap Materials

[Fun for Parents and Kids] Beat the rainy season with 'Fluffy Tennis' made from recycled materials!

Fluffy Tennis Using Scrap Materials

Here’s an idea for fluffy tennis using recycled materials.

Tennis usually involves a racket and a ball, but this time let’s try tennis using a plastic bottle and a bag! You’ll need a plastic bottle, a bag, stickers, a pen, and masking tape.

Draw your favorite illustrations on the bag, then fill it with air.

Decorating the plastic bottle freely with masking tape and stickers will get everyone excited.

Work together to keep the softly floating bag from falling.

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Shiritori Catch Ball

Ultimate Parent-Child Showdown!? Shiritori Catch Ball [Facing Off Against Mom!? #1]

Shiritori Catch Ball

We’ll play catch while doing a shiritori game where we compliment each other.

It’s a fun recreational game that promotes both physical and cognitive development at the same time.

By playing catch while giving compliments in shiritori, it can also help parents and children express the love they don’t usually put into words.

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Shiritori Balance Butt Sumo

Shiritori Balance Butt Sumo - Lynn M•A•O, Kaede Hondo, Saori Ōnishi

Shiritori Balance Butt Sumo

This is a recreation game that combines shiritori (a Japanese word-chain game) with a one-legged balance butt-sumo, enjoyable for kids and adults alike.

Two players stand back-to-back, lift one leg, and start the shiritori.

As you answer, you also push against each other with your hips as if bumping the opponent away.

If you put your raised foot down, step out of the boundary, or otherwise lose balance, you lose.

Of course, you also lose if your word in shiritori ends with “n.” It trains your core, exercises your mind, and can be played in a small space, so it’s easy to enjoy anywhere!

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rubbing art

Just place the paper! Embossed patterns: leaf rubbing

rubbing art

Rubbing art creates unique works by placing leaves, seashells, and other items under paper and rubbing over them.

You can start by going to a park or for a walk and enjoy searching for materials together in nature.

Children love finding those little things.

Adults can also get back in touch with their inner child and take a good look around from a child’s perspective.

You might even make some new discoveries.

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Three-legged race

Parent-child event: three-legged race

Three-legged race

Moving your body together as a parent and child makes for a very fulfilling time.

The three-legged race is one of those great activities.

A parent and child tie their legs together and aim for the finish line while synchronizing their movements.

Matching your steps fosters cooperation and offers a good chance to sense each other’s rhythm.

Plus, laughing together through the game—and even laughing when you occasionally tumble—strengthens the parent-child bond even more.

This activity, which you can enjoy not only at sports days but also in everyday life, may help you discover new sides of each other.

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