Some kids get obsessed with dinosaurs or trains. Others just can’t get enough of Japan!
From sushi to samurai, manga to Mt. Fuji, there is so much about Japanese culture that captures children’s imagination.
If you’ve got a child like that in your life, these Japanese-inspired gifts for kids are the perfect way to fuel their passion. They’re fun, hands-on, and might even teach them a few Japanese words.
All these gifts are also great ways to prepare kids for a trip to Japan, or to help them get in touch with their Japanese heritage!
Japanese Cooking with Kids cookbook
Cooking is one of the best ways to explore another culture, and this cookbook makes it easy for families to try Japanese dishes together.
It has plenty of colourful pictures, so kids will love flipping through and picking out some recipes to try.
With simple recipes for favourites like onigiri and ramen, as well as sweet treats and fun bento boxes, there is lots to appeal to little tummies!
Plus, there are cultural activities and facts woven throughout, which will stick with kids long after the plates are cleared.
Japanese Children’s Favorite Stories
Stories have a way of bringing a country to life! This book gathers traditional Japanese folktales and legends that Japanese children grow up with.
With magical characters such as goblins, rabbits, turtles and cranes, and beautiful illustrations, kids will return to this book again and again.
Japanese and English Talking Flashcards
Learning language through play is always more fun, and these talking flashcards are definitely fun! You just pop in a card, and the reader says the word in Japanese. The cards are in lots of kid-friendly categories such as animals and food.
Each card has a large illustration, so even young children who don’t read yet can use them. You will be surprised how much language kids can pick up just from listening and repeating!
Origami set for kids
Japanese kids grow up doing origami. When I worked in Japanese schools, I was surprised and delighted to see how the kids would take origami sheets out of their desk drawers, and casually whip up amazing paper creations when they had a spare minute!
There’s something so magical about taking a plain square of paper and turning it into a bird, a flower, or a samurai helmet. It really captures children’s imaginations, and it’s also great for their patience, focus and fine motor skills.
Tokyo Treat Snack Box
The coolest Japanese snacks, direct from Tokyo to your door! Each box contains up to 20 full-size Japanese snacks, including sweet and savoury snacks, drinks, instant noodles, seasonal/limited edition treats, and more! Use code TEAMJAPANESE for a $5 discount.
For kids who love snacks (which is all of them!), this subscription box is a monthly treasure chest from Japan!
Each box has a mix of sweets, savoury treats, soft drinks and instant noodles, plus a booklet explaining the stories behind them. The box focuses on popular snacks with colourful and fun packaging.
We get this box delivered and my son is literally always asking when we can get the next one!
Let’s Learn About Japan Activity Book
Packed with puzzles, mazes, spot-the-difference and other little challenges, this activity book is a great way to keep kids busy without leaving home!
Kids will learn little snippets about Japanese culture, such as special animals, landmarks and food. And although it’s not a language book, they will learn a few Japanese words too.
I Live in Tokyo
This charming picture book follows Mimiko, a seven-year-old girl, through a whole year of life in Tokyo! There is a double page spread for each month, which talks about festivals, food, and family traditions of the month.
This book is a favourite in our house. Sometimes we read it cover-to-cover like a story book, but more often we just dip in and see what Japanese traditions are taking place that month 🙂
It offers a very sweet child’s-eye view of Japanese daily life. It also teaches a few basic Japanese words. And the illustrations are gorgeous!
Kracie Popin’ Cookin’ DIY Candy Sushi Kit
There’s nothing quite like making your own sushi – especially when it’s candy sushi!
This DIY kit lets kids mix powders and water to create their own treats, right down to tiny spheres of “salmon roe.” It’s kind of like a science experiment and a sweet snack rolled into one.
This range of sweets is very popular with Japanese kids, and it would make a great little stocking stuffer.
Let’s Learn About Japan! Japanese Culture Coloring Book
You can’t really go wrong with a good colouring book, but what I like about this one is that it includes fun facts about Japan/Japanese culture on each page.
The topics include Japanese food, traditions, landmarks, activities and more. As well as a lovely picture to colour on each page, there is also a short text explaining more about it.
It’s a great way to introduce kids to popular aspects of Japanese culture.
Ame Goes to Japan: A Book About One Cool Cat’s Travels in Japan
A cat named Ame takes kids on a lighthearted adventure through Japan, from hot springs to fireworks festivals.
Along the way, readers pick up cultural tidbits and even a few Japanese words. It’s a quirky, fun book, and a great way to prepare for a trip to Japan.
Wrapping it up
For kids who can’t stop talking about Japan, I know that any of these gifts will make their day! Whether it’s through food, stories, crafts, or snacks, each one opens a window into another world.
Do you have a little Japan enthusiast in your life? What’s on their wish list this holiday season?
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- Gift Ideas for Anime Fans Who Want to Understand Japanese Without Subtitles
- 21 Awesome Gift Ideas for Japan Lovers
- 17 Perfect Gift Ideas for People Studying Japanese
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Rebecca is the founder of Team Japanese. She spent two years teaching English in Ehime, Japan. Now back in the UK, she spends her time blogging, self-studying Japanese and wrangling a very genki toddler.