[Parent-Child Rec] Recreational activities and games for parents and children to enjoy together—also great for sports days.
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!
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[Parent-Child Rec] Recreations and games for parents and children to enjoy together. Great for sports days, too (51–60)
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.
Anything Basket
A game similar to Fruit Basket that parents and children can enjoy is “Anything Basket.” For example, it’s OK to call out anything like: people wearing sweaters, high school students, people who have younger sisters—whatever you like.
It seems that anyone who gets left without a seat twice has to do a penalty game, but I think the penalty can be anything.
This game sounds like it would get lively and exciting with lots of kids and adults!
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.
Parent-Child Dodgeball
For sports-style recreation, dodgeball is a classic choice.
If you’re playing as a family, why not try “parent-child dodgeball”? In this version, parents and children are on the same team and enjoy the game together.
Since adults and kids differ in size, try to make good use of that during the match.
If you divide teams at random, you might end up facing off against your own child, which can be fun too.
[Parent-Child Rec] Recreations and games for parents and children to enjoy together. Also great for sports days (61–70)
Trump & Card Game
We’d like to introduce card games using playing cards or karuta.
Usually, you play with cards on a desk or on a small space on the floor.
This time, try using a large classroom with desks and chairs pushed aside.
If you’re using playing cards, spread out all the cards to play Concentration; if you’re using karuta, spread out the picture cards around the room.
Because the game takes place in a large space, the children will walk around to look for the cards.
A card game with a wide range of movement is sure to get the kids excited.
Playing in teams is also recommended.
You’ll likely hear teammates calling out hints like, “There’s one over there!”
Making herbarium bottles
Creating herbariums together with parents and children is a wonderful activity that deepens family communication.
As you choose flowers and plants, you learn each other’s preferences, and the time spent building a beautiful world inside the bottle strengthens your bond even more.
Displaying the finished herbarium in your room keeps the memories of that day in view and becomes a natural starting point for conversation.
The materials are easy to find, and the preparation for teachers is simple.
It’s a craft that both parents and children can enjoy without strain—let’s share precious time together while expressing each other’s creativity.
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.