[For Kids] Today's Recommended Recreation Idea Collection
When a few kids get together, do you ever suddenly hear, “We want to do something fun!”?
If they spring it on you and you suggest tag or hide-and-seek, only to hear, “We’ve done that,” it makes you want to come up with something new, doesn’t it?
That’s why this article introduces lots of fun activities for children.
It’s updated daily, so you’ll find fresh recreation ideas the kids probably haven’t tried yet!
Be sure to bookmark it and check back every day!
- [List] A roundup of games and recreational activities kids love
- Indoor recreation for children: A roundup of exciting games
- Recreation Activities That Excite Kids’ Clubs! Plans and Ideas Children Will Love
- [For Kids] Indoor Games and Activities Recommended for Winter Break
- [Play Right Away!] Exciting Recreation Games Recommended for Elementary School Students
- Popularity ranking of recreational activities for children
- Great for camping! Recreation games for kids
- [Elementary School] Games and Recreational Activities to Enjoy at a Forest School Camp
- Kids will love it! Summer vacation games, recreation, and hands-on activities
- [Parent-Child Rec] Recreational activities and games for parents and children to enjoy together—also great for sports days.
- [For Kids] Today’s Handmade Craft Ideas
- [Elementary School] Indoor Games and Recreational Activities Recommended for Upper Primary Grades
- A big hit at after-school childcare! A special feature on group games and activities you can play without any equipment
[For Kids] Today's Recommended Recreation Ideas (1–10)
Wavering Koinobori (carp streamer)
On Children’s Day on May 5, there’s a custom of decorating balconies and gardens with koinobori (carp streamers).
This video shows how to make gently swaying koinobori using paper plates.
The materials are easy to find, and it’s simple enough for kids to make, making it perfect for indoor recreation in May.
Displaying the koinobori everyone made will brighten up the room and create lasting memories.
Making kashiwa mochi with origami
In Japan, there is a custom of eating kashiwa mochi on Children’s Day, May 5th.
This video carefully explains how to recreate kashiwa mochi using origami.
The process is a bit complex, but the finished piece looks just like the real thing.
It could be great as a recreational activity leading up to May 5th or as a decoration for indoors.
Stained glass of carp streamers
On Children’s Day, there’s a custom of displaying koi-shaped streamers (koinobori) on balconies or in gardens, but buying them just for a single day can be a hassle.
In that case, try making koinobori with your kids as a craft project.
This video shows how to make stained-glass-style koinobori using colored cellophane.
When you stick them on a window, the light shines through beautifully, making them really striking.
[For Kids] Today's Recommended Recreation Ideas (11–20)
Koinobori bag
On Children’s Day, May 5th, there’s a custom of displaying carp streamers in gardens and on balconies.
This video shows how to make a bag inspired by those carp streamers.
You can use materials like milk cartons and construction paper, so it’s perfect as part of a children’s recreation activity.
It’s also a great idea to fill the finished bag with sweets and give it as a gift.
[Fingerplay] Natto
![[Fingerplay] Natto](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/IWGdmIweADA/sddefault.jpg)
A lot of kids like natto, don’t they? There might be many moms who are troubled because their children beg for it at every meal.
Since July 10 is Natto Day, if you’re looking for a hand-play song for July, how about this song “Nattō”? You can play by swirling your hands to mix the natto and moving both hands as if pulling sticky strings—fun even for little ones.
Maybe even kids who don’t like natto will enjoy it with this hand-play song.
The lyrics mention various types of natto, so it could be fun to look for them when you go to the supermarket.
Ohajiki (traditional Japanese coin-flicking game pieces)
You flick small marbles made of glass and the like with your finger to play.
If you hit your opponent’s piece and knock it off the table, you win.
It’s a simple indoor game that even small children can join.
You can enjoy it in different ways depending on your ideas—for example, the one who flicks and stops their piece right on the verge of falling off the table wins.
beanbags
Otedama are small beanbags made by filling cloth pouches with adzuki beans.
You play by tossing them like juggling balls—throwing them in rhythm while singing, or tossing them high and catching them.
With a bit of creativity, there are many ways to enjoy them.
If you search online, you’ll also find plenty of traditional ways to play.