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 to enjoy together as a family. Great for sports days, too (1–10)

Ball-grabbing game

Physical Development Exercise 12: Ball-Grabbing Game

Ball-grabbing game

Introducing the “Ball Grab Game,” perfect for fitness sessions or social gatherings.

All you need is a single ball—like a soccer ball or volleyball—so it’s very handy.

The simple rules are as follows: Two players stand on opposite sides of a line, with a ball placed in the middle.

A referee stands in the center and calls out parts of the body; the two players must touch the body part that’s called.

If the referee says “ball,” the players try to grab the ball.

If you touch the ball when “ball” hasn’t been called, you lose.

Have fun with your family or at school!

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Taki no namida pin ku

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human disentanglement puzzle

Team Communication Game: Human Knot [Sports Recreation Plan]

human disentanglement puzzle

Everyone, have you heard of the “Human Knot”? It’s a perfect recreation activity for parents and kids to enjoy together! First, form a circle and hold hands with people who are not next to you.

That’s when the real fun begins.

Working together, you try to untangle yourselves without letting go of hands.

At first you might think, “Wait, is this even possible?” but you’ll gradually get the hang of it.

You twist, turn, duck under arms… The process of solving it as a team is so much fun.

And when you finally end up with one big circle, the sense of accomplishment is unbeatable! It’s sure to strengthen the bond between parents and children.

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Caterpillar Race

First time ever! The big autumn sports day! Caterpillar Race edition

Caterpillar Race

A cardboard caterpillar race is a perfect activity for parents and children to do together.

You step inside a looped piece of cardboard and move forward in a crawling motion.

Because it engages the whole body, it’s best suited for ages 4 and up who can participate safely.

The key to moving fast is for the adult and child to synchronize their movements and adjust their speed.

Making it a team competition makes it even more exciting! If you set aside time before the event to practice how to move in the caterpillar, everyone will feel less confused and enjoy it more.

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[Parent-Child Rec] Recreational activities and games for parents and children to enjoy together. Also great for sports days (11–20)

Parent-and-child tag

Parent-child sports tag

Parent-and-child tag

Let’s enjoy an outdoor, active game of tag that adults and children can play together.

It’s a fun way for kids to build stamina while also helping adults get some exercise.

The rules for parent-child tag are simple: split into teams, and the team that touches the target goal in the opposing side’s area wins.

It’s the kind of game that gets everyone excited at events like sports days.

Dodge the other team’s defense to reach the goal, and defend your own so they can’t touch it.

Run around and have a great time battling it out!

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Making a balloon helicopter

[Independent Research] DIY! Balloon Helicopter! How to make a balloon helicopter

Making a balloon helicopter

This is a balloon helicopter that you play with by attaching a handmade propeller to an inflated balloon! Attach a propeller made from a straw and origami to the mouth of the inflated balloon.

Then just let go of the balloon! The escaping air spins the propeller and lifts the balloon into the air.

Making the propeller and inflating the balloon may be a bit difficult for small children.

That’s why it’s perfect as an activity to enjoy together with a parent or guardian! It’s fun not only indoors but also in open spaces like parks where you can launch it and watch it fly.

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Inside-out pots!

@hiyoko_sakuranbo
Fun for mixed ages, large groups, and parent-child activities! “Nabe-nabe Soko Nuke — All-Participants Version” Next time, I’ll post a reel that returns everyone to the forward-facing circle! **************** “Saito Kimiko’s Sakuranbo Rhythm Play” is a scientifically grounded method that promotes children’s development through play. We share rhythm-play activities that can be applied immediately in educational settings through workshops and at preschools nationwide. If you’re interested, please DM or contact us on LINE↓↓ @hiyoko_sakuranbo ***************** Mayumi Murata | Sakuranbo Rhythm Play ▶ “Complete DVD Book Collection: Saito Kimiko’s Early Childhood Education” — book text composition ▶ “Illustrated Edition: Saito Kimiko’s Sakura Sakuranbo Rhythm Play” — planning and editing Thank you for the likes and follows!#Cherry Rhythm Play Sakura Sakura-nbo Rhythm #Rhythm Play Rhythm Play Hiroko Saito Nursery teacher / Childcare worker Kindergarten Teacher #Pot, pot, inside-out
♪ Original Song – hiyoko_sakuranbo – hiyoko_sakuranbo

We’d like to introduce “Nabe Nabe Sokonuke,” a traditional and ever-popular hand-clapping circle game that parents and children can enjoy together.

Whether with two people or a large group, everyone holds hands to make a circle.

When the lyrics say “Let’s go back,” flip yourselves around so you end up back-to-back while keeping your hands joined.

Repeat the same song and movement to return to facing each other again.

By moving your body side to side with the song, you can develop a sense of rhythm, and it’s fun to move while singing together.

It’s a great way to enjoy close interaction, whether with parent and child or among friends—give it a try!

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long rope jumping

[Sports Recreation] Long Rope Jumping — Compete by the Total Number of Jumps

long rope jumping

Long-rope jumping is a wonderful recreation that deepens the bond between parents and children.

Working together to swing the rope and jump is so exciting! It might be difficult at first, but with practice you’ll sync up and enjoy the thrill of getting better and better.

It’s sure to be a hit as a parent–child event at sports day! You can also enjoy it at home, in the yard, or at the park.

Let’s get moving and spend time full of smiles.

Taking on long-rope jumping together will surely become a lovely family memory!

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