Playtime!: Fukuwarai

Fukuwarai is the Japanese version of pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey: a blindfolded person places paper parts of a face, such as eyes, eyebrows, a nose and a mouth, on a paper face. Typically a game played during Oshogatsu (New Year), Fukuwarai is a fun little rainy-day (or snowy-day!) activity.  You can make all the pieces yourself, or if your kids are old enough they can help out.  If you're hesitant to do it yourself, here is a template you can print and cut out.  There is also this alternative Fukuwarai activity using a Totoro face-super cute!  And here is an online Fukuwarai game, in case your kids are good on the computer.

For our part, we made our own face (drawing is not one of talents!) from leftover cardboard and cereal boxes.  Mayumi helped color the pieces and we used scotch tape to try to "pin" the pieces onto our silly face.  She was not particularly interested in having her eyes covered up with a blindfold, so we just used the opportunity to review the names of face parts and joke around with funny arrangements. Fun times for everyone!