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. Also great for sports days (31–40)

Parent-child folk dance

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.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Let’s make a newspaper tent

This summer vacation, let’s use newspapers to make a secret-base tent!

Let's make a newspaper tent

How about a “newspaper tent” for a parent–child activity? Roll newspaper pages tightly into thin sticks and use them as the frame to build a tent.

You’ll need a bit of space, but since the only materials are newspapers and tape, it’s easy to plan.

Parents and children can discuss the shape and create their ideal tent together.

It’s sure to spark lots of conversation as you build.

You can also prepare origami or construction paper to decorate and make it even more fun!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Newspaper flipping game

Asahi is super excited! Flipping through the newspaper game

Newspaper flipping game

It’s a game where you tear newspaper into small pieces and scatter them around.

You’ll see kids enjoying it in different ways—some get mesmerized by the mysterious movement of the paper, while others get excited and playful.

The materials are easy to get, so it’s great for starting right away.

If you let the children do the tearing themselves, it becomes fine-motor exercise, and they can enjoy the texture and sound of ripping paper.

At the end, turn cleanup into a game of collecting the pieces in a bag, and it becomes a great bit of exercise too.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Without Katakana

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

Without Katakana

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.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Ball Carrying UNO

Guaranteed to get everyone hyped! Ball games × UNO. In PE classes or homeroom activities, pass the ball while interacting with classmates and feel a sense of accomplishment. A must-see for elementary and junior high school teachers and PE instructors!

Ball Carrying UNO

Here’s an idea for adapting the well-known board game UNO into a ball-carrying relay.

Form teams in circles, with each person holding a ball.

Choose someone to give commands, and everyone passes or moves the balls according to the commands—like “skip” or “one bounce.” The rules are simple, but you can make it more exciting by increasing the speed of the commands and enjoying the sense of achievement as a team.

For team competitions, you can create original rules, such as declaring the team that doesn’t drop the ball until the end the winner, to make it even more fun.

It’s also a great recommendation for sports day events.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

[Parent-Child Rec] Recreations and games for parents and children to enjoy together. Also great for sports days (41–50)

[Parent-Child Event] Card Flipping

At the Fukui City nursery school sports day, parent-child event: Card Flip! Try this popular game together at the sports day!

[Parent-Child Event] Card Flipping

Flip scattered cards over to change them to your team’s color in this card-flipping game.

Because two teams play at the same time, cards you flip might get flipped back, so you won’t know who’s winning until the final whistle—it’s a thrilling, exciting event.

For older kindergarteners, children can play on their own.

For younger children, it’s recommended that they hold a guardian’s hand and flip cards together.

Be careful not to bump into others flipping nearby, and try to turn as many cards as you can to your team’s color!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Rock-Paper-Scissors Train

FY2009 Friendly Respect-for-the-Aged Festival (Rock-Paper-Scissors Train)

Rock-Paper-Scissors Train

If you want to fully enjoy recreation in a wide-open space, we recommend “Rock-Paper-Scissors Train.” It’s a game that parents and children can enjoy together.

You play rock-paper-scissors, and the loser lines up behind the winner.

You keep playing and make the train longer and longer.

If you keep winning, you’ll be at the front of a long train! Because you can run around a lot in a large area, it’s perfect for playing with a big group.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem