Kodomo no hi – Children’s Day in Japan

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Create your own Koinobori

On this special day in Japan, a traditional Koinobori flag in the shape of a carp (a type of fish), is flown for each child in the family. As the breeze gently blows the fish, they look like they are swimming.

An adult will need to do all the assembling, so make this a group project, making just two or three fish – children helping with the decorating bits. Then it’s everyone outside to watch them swim through the air!

• One A3 sheet of heavy paper
• Paints, chunky markers, scrap box scraps or old magazines for decoration
• Glue
• Length of string or ribbon for fixing or holding
• Scraps of tissue paper, crepe paper or some colourful carrier bags for making streamers
• Stapler
• Hole punch