Crafts and Activities for Children’s Day (Kodomo no Hi)

May 5 is a Japanese holiday known as Kodomo no Hi or Children’s Day. (It used to be just for boys, and girls still have their own holiday on March 3, but this one has officially been for all children for decades.

I am not Japanese and have never been to Japan so I’m learning along with you, and I learned a lot about the holiday from this post at Asian Languages School. It tells me that the popular symbols of Children’s Day are carp streamers, samurai dolls and Japanese iris blooms, and a common snack is kashiwa mochi, a rice cake with red bean paste wrapped in an oak leaf.

The carp represent the family, and traditionally families would decorate their roof with carp streamers, with a dragon streamer at the top and then ones representing dad, mom and each of the children. They’re considered a symbol of strength because carp can swim upstream.

The carp are known as koinobori, and there are lots of ways to make your own carp crafts. I love this one made out of plastic eggs from Raising Veggie Lovers, and this one from Adeline Klam uses a cardboard tube and circles of paper to make the fish. (This site is in French but there are lots of photos.)

I also like these little felt ones you can make into a banner from Hirigana Mama. You could also make them out of paper if you want.

Samurai are also meant to symbolize the courage and strength parents want their children to have. The helmets are called kabuto and you can find instructions for making an origami version at Origami OK, or you can make a person-sized one from a paper shopping bag (I’ve also seen this done with newspaper, you just need a big square of paper) with this video tutorial I found on Pinterest from KTA Super Stores. I also love this paper plate helmet from Free Kids Crafts.

Or make a cut, color and paste samurai with this template from Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers.

Iris are a symbol because they tend to be in bloom that time of year. Origami Me has an origami iris pattern, or find an iris coloring page like these from Best Coloring Pages for Kids.

And if you want to make your own kashiwa mochi, check out this recipe from Japan Centre.

Right click and save to download this Free (Kodomo no Hi) Coloring sheet.

We try to keep a relatively regular sleep schedule during the summer, but the morning routine kind of flies out the window when we don’t have anywhere in particular to be. To get little kids back in the groove of getting up and getting ready for school — or to help kids who are new to having a routine learn what to do when — printable routine cards can be a big help.

There are lots of different ways to do these. I like the flip chart style like this one from Mama Papa Bubba. This one is made with a file folder and you add magnets to each section so kids can close the flap on the items they’ve completed for the day. The post includes a free printable with some basic morning activities that kids can cut out and color.

Another version of this that is just paper comes from My Party Design. This one uses little pieces of peel and stick Velcro to close the sections when each step is completed, and there are versions for the morning and evening. (These are not free but might give you an idea of how to make your own with the steps you need.)

For a more detailed, full day schedule great for preschoolers, check out this one from The Savvy Sparrow. This paid resource includes tons of different icons from daily routine items to things like riding bikes, dance class and watering plants. There are 120 icons in all so you’re likely to find everything you need to visually build out your days.

If you want to see how a daily routine printable works for you without putting a lot of work in, try this printable checklist from Little Mager House. You can laminate it or stick it in a plastic sheet protector and mark off things as they get done. Then just wipe it off and start again the next day. This one is free when you sign up for emails.

Natural Beach Living has a free visual schedule printable with all sorts of items and including special things like picnics and nature walks. This one can be used at home or in the classroom and it includes days of the week. (Some of this is free for subscribers but there is also a bundle you can purchase.)

I also love the set of printable routine cards from Look We’re Learning, which includes a bunch of basic daily activities in both English and Spanish if you’re raising a bilingual child or just want to practice a little vocabulary. There are 16 activities in all and there’s a pronunciation guide if you need help with the Spanish. (This is a free resource for subscribers.)

Have you read?

Leave a Reply