Wonderful school festival / cultural festival

[For Elementary Schools] Recommended Exhibits and Recreational Activities for a Cultural Festival

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!

One of the events elementary school students look forward to is the cultural festival.

Sometimes it’s held under a unique name like “Friendship Festival” or includes the school’s name as in “◯◯ Showcase.”

This article is perfect for an elementary school cultural festival!

It introduces activities and recreations that the whole class can enjoy together.

You’ll find a variety of ideas—from performances you can do in the classroom to recreations suited for larger spaces like the gym or school grounds.

If you’re having trouble deciding on an idea, feel free to use these as a reference.

[For Elementary Schools] Recommended Booths and Recreational Activities for a Cultural Festival (31–40)

Darts made with paper plates and masking tape

@dekitakun
Spiderweb darts with paper plates and masking tapeI tried making it #TikTok Classroom work Art #diy
Goodbye Declaration – Chinozo

Let me introduce darts, a surefire hit for livening up your school festival casino games.

Get some paper plates and masking tape, and let’s make it! Stick the masking tape onto the paper plate to form a spiderweb pattern.

When attaching the tape, place it with the adhesive side facing outward.

For the darts, crumple tissue paper into a ball and wrap it tightly with masking tape to make it a slightly firm ball.

Once it’s finished, stick the target on the wall and have fun playing!

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Rubber Band Penetration Magic

I don’t really want to share this, but here’s the secret behind an easy rubber band penetration magic trick that looks professional.

Rubber Band Penetration Magic

Pay attention to the spectators’ reactions too! We’re introducing an idea for a rubber band penetration magic trick.

Because it’s simple and easy to understand what’s happening, a rubber band penetration trick is a magic effect that people of all ages—from kids to adults—can enjoy.

This time, let’s try a pro-level version of the rubber band penetration.

All you need are two rubber bands.

Using different colors makes it easier to follow.

In the video, an orange rubber band and a blue rubber band are used.

Be sure to give it a try!

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Impersonation contest

Relatable school impressions! Music festival edition at Akashi City Rinsei (Hayashi) Elementary School!

Impersonation contest

If there are some funny performances, the school festival will be even more exciting.

So, I’d like to propose a celebrity impersonation contest.

Like the ones you often see on variety shows, let’s make it so that anyone who wants to can perform freely.

For those who are unsure what to imitate, well-known characters or celebrities are recommended.

It’s easier for people to get the joke, and they’ll be more likely to laugh.

Alternatively, choosing someone familiar that everyone knows can also work well.

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reading drama

[Children’s Readers’ Theater] The Gigantic Turnip / Der Große Rübe Online Smilies × Theater Company Mori Munich

reading drama

If you’re looking for an activity everyone can collaborate on, how about a radio-style reading play performed using only your voices? Choose a familiar picture book or novel as your material, and work together to bring the story to life.

A reading play involves more than just reading aloud, so it might be challenging—but that’s exactly why it’s rewarding.

If several people share the same role, each person’s burden is lighter and they can focus on their own lines.

Even though it’s a reading play, it could be fun to wear costumes that match the characters to help set the mood.

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Clapping Fantasy

Fun March: Clapping Fantasy Music Festival

Clapping Fantasy

Let me introduce a lively performance that uses your own hands: Clapping Fantasy, which is also featured in elementary school music textbooks.

You’ll clap along to the instruments.

Try getting everyone to clap in unison, or split into clapping and non-clapping parts for variety.

The instrument can be a piano, a recorder, or a keyboard harmonica.

You can even swap handclaps for castanets or bells to make it even more fun.

When the clapping and instruments come together, both the audience and the children performing will feel their excitement rise.

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[For Elementary Schools] Recommended Booths and Recreational Activities for Cultural Festivals (41–50)

Slide presentation

Kaminishi Elementary School Learning Presentation, 3rd and 4th Grades: “The Secret of Peanuts” — Reiwa 4 (2022) ~ School Activities on Tanegashima

Slide presentation

It’s important not just to keep what you’ve learned to yourself but also to share it with others; doing so can motivate you to deepen your learning.

This piece focuses on how to present your learning—specifically, using slides to capture your audience’s attention.

If you cram every detail you researched into your slides, they become hard to read, so it’s best to show only the broad points and explain the details verbally.

Let’s think about how to balance slides and speech, and how to make sure people will listen.

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Tambourine Ensemble Piece

[Tambourine Ensemble Piece] For upper elementary grades – Music recital: “Happiness Tambourina” [Composed by Akiko Yamamoto]

Tambourine Ensemble Piece

A tambourine makes sound in simple ways, like hitting or shaking it.

While keeping the rhythm on a tambourine, try striking a pose together with everyone.

It’s also fun to play the tambourine while doing a wave—sitting or standing in a line one after another.

If all the children perform with smiles, a cheerful atmosphere will fill the venue.

Watching such a tambourine ensemble is sure to lift people’s spirits.

Having someone on drums as well would make it even more exciting.

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