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

balloon volleyball

Balloon art fun with balloons! How to play balloon volleyball that even beginners can enjoy easily♪

Let’s have fun moving our bodies! Here are some ideas for balloon volleyball.

Volleyball is a sport where two teams face off across a net, hitting the ball back and forth to score points.

This time, all you need is a single balloon.

You can even find them at 100-yen shops these days, so it’s easy to prepare.

The way to play is simple: two or more people face each other and tap the balloon with their hands to keep a rally going.

Once you get used to it, try counting out loud or playing a word-chain game (shiritori) while you rally.

Parent-child folk dance

Parent-child folk dance

A folk dance where parents and children hold hands and dance together is perfect for a sports day, where everyone can move freely in a wide space! With simple moves like pointing, twirling your hands, and stepping side to side while holding hands, even parents and children trying folk dance for the first time can enjoy it on the spot by listening to the teacher’s instructions.

By not only watching your child grow but also adding a parent-participation performance, the event will become even more memorable.

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yuri

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piggyback race

Kasamatsu Racecourse Parent-Child Piggyback Race Aryama Kinen 2011

Let’s liven up the sports day with a piggyback race, where adults carry children on their backs and compete to see who finishes first.

The more participants, the more exciting the piggyback race becomes.

It’s a simple activity in which a parent or guardian plays the “horse,” carrying a child on their back and racing, but it actually takes more stamina than you might expect to make it to the finish.

It’s also a game that’s great fun for spectators to watch.

Be careful not to get so caught up in running that the child you’re carrying falls off.

Wearing helmets and protective gear will make it safer and more reassuring for everyone.

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nikki

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pretending to be animals

Family Play 07_Animal Pretend

It’s a game where you mimic the movements of various animals.

You can jump, crawl, run, or balance on one leg—it’s a great way to use many parts of your body.

You can suggest an animal and try imitating it, or take turns guessing which animal someone is doing—both are lots of fun.

Teacher Quiz

It’s a Teacher Quiz where parents and children team up to answer questions posed by the teacher! You might often do quizzes during recreation time, but the excitement of solving them together with a parent is sure to feel extra special for the kids.

Let’s get everyone excited with a wide variety of questions—like quizzes about beloved animals and characters, riddles, picture-based counting questions that draw out children’s thinking skills, and even questions related to preschool and kindergarten teachers!

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yuri

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Domino with toys

Tried doing dominoes with LEGO [Mikusara TV]

Dominoes is a game you can easily enjoy even without special toys.

You can use toys you have at home, like LEGO bricks or building blocks, and gathering household items that might work can be part of the fun, too.

Lining them up without knocking them over is thrilling for both kids and adults! Let’s get excited with this action-packed, suspenseful game.

Plastic Bottle Bowling

On hot days, indoor play is the way to go☆ Plastic Bottle Bowling

Here’s a popular indoor activity: plastic bottle bowling.

Prepare 10 empty plastic bottles and add a small amount of water to each to stabilize them.

Wrap construction paper around the bottles to decorate them.

Once ready, line up the bottles and get a safe rubber ball.

Let the children roll the ball and enjoy plastic bottle bowling.

Count how many bottles fall to determine the winner.

Adjust the rolling distance based on the children’s age by making it longer or shorter.

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mayumi

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Operation Hide-and-Seek

Seirenji Sports Day on October 6, 2018 – Junior Parent-Child Event: The Great Hide-and-Seek Mission

A cute parent-child hide-and-seek event recommended for younger children, such as those in the preschool class.

For this activity, please have the children wear the same outfit, like gym uniforms or smocks.

Each child holds a camouflage cover made from newspaper and hides inside it.

At the start, the guardians turn their backs and cover their eyes, and at the signal of “Ready!” they all begin searching for their own child.

Since everyone looks similar, finding the right child is surprisingly challenging.

Divide into teams like White and Red, and compete to see which team can find their children the fastest and have the parent and child sit down together first.

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hiyori

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Flag-raising game

O/X Raising Game! It got really lively when we added penalties! lol Flag-Raising Game: Kou vs. Momo showdown! Flag-Raising Game

A game where you hold red and white flags and move according to instructions like “Raise red, don’t raise white, lower red.” It tests your quick reactions and comprehension.

In this video, they use X/O paddles instead of flags.

With a little creativity using items at home, it looks doable even without flags.

You could also incorporate a penalty game.

Try arranging the rules in various ways so everyone can have fun together.

Without Katakana

Simple and fun! A class-energizing activity: “Katakana-less”

In everyday life, we often use words written in katakana.

Here, we’d like to introduce “Katakana-ashi,” a game where you explain a given topic without using katakana.

For example, you show a ball used in P.E.

and ask, “What is this?” The answer will likely be “ball.” Next, have them describe the ball without using any katakana.

Children will likely search for answers by thinking of various words in their heads.

Try switching the roles of questioner and answerer and give it a go.

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Nakajima Junko

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