You’ll love this fun (and delicious) hands on Japan activity for older kids. Also, look at more ideas on my page Medieval Japan Unit Study and Lapbook 1185 – 1600 A.D.
I have two simple sushi recipes for you today using just a little variation on ingredients.
It can be hard to find cool hands-on ideas for older kids.
One of my standby ideas, especially when studying other countries, is cooking.
Since Sushi is such a huge part of the way of life in Japan, I thought it would make a perfect activity for our study.
Our favorite sushi rolls are California roll and the vegetarian sweet potato roll so that is what I wanted to share.
They are also very simple, which makes them great for beginners, be they older or younger kids so everyone in the family can join in.
Sushi is vinegared rice topped with other ingredients and there are several ways to prepare it.
Maki Rolls are rice, veggies, and fish rolled up in seaweed and is what most people think of when they think of sushi.
Japan is rich in culture, art, contributions, history, and complex traditions.
Books About Japan For Kids
11 Books and Resources for Studying About Japan
You'll love these resources and books for studying about Japan. Add them to my Medieval Japan Unit Study or just fun for the day.
This Japanese history book traces the story of a unique historical phenomenon: a period of 700 years--equivalent to the entire stretch of Western history between the reigns of the Crusader king Richard the Lionhearted and of Queen Victoria at the height of the British Empire--during which an enclosed civilization was dominated by a single warrior caste.
The historical narrative of samurai history is supported by explanations of samurai armor, weapons, fortifications, tactics, and customs, and illustrated with nearly 800 fascinating color photographs, maps, and sketches, including ancient scroll paintings and surviving suits of armor preserved for centuries in Japanese shrines.
Part of the acclaimed Book of Samurai series, which presents for the first time the translated scrolls of the historical Natori-Ry samurai school of war, this volume offers an exceptional insight into the weaponry and armour of the samurai era, as well as tactical advice for use on and off the battlefield.
More than 40 handsome, ready-to-color illustrations depict samurai warriors, the imperial villa at Kyoto, a Shinto shrine, a tea ceremony, a Noh play, a typical city street, a restaurant, music makers, more. Introduction and detailed captions describe Japanese culture and provide detailed information on art, government, costume, and daily life.
Learning a new language is a new way of meeting new people, opening doors in your professional career and attracting fresh opportunities when traveling around the world, as you may know. The great thing is - whether you want to learn Japanese to visit Japan’s precious historic landmarks, watch anime and movies or simply meet wonderful Japanese people - we’ve got you covered!
A cultural adventure for kids, All About Japan offers a journey to a new place--and ways to bring it to life! Dive into stories, play some games from Japan, and learn some Japanese songs.
The brave little boy who sailed to the Capital in a teacup and fought a demon with a needle to win the love of a Lady is a Japanese cousin to Tom Thumb.
In this magical retelling of a Japanese folktale, a mysterious girl weaves silk to help repay the kindness of a boy and his father until the father's greed finally exposes her secret.
While gathering firewood, Yasuhiro comes upon an injured crane hidden in the snow. He rescues and comforts the bird, then watches as it flies away over the wintry hills.
The next night, a mysterious young girl arrives at Yasuhiro's home seeking shelter from the cold. The boy and his father welcome the girl, named Hiroko, to stay with them. When Hiroko notices that Yasuhiro's father is struggling to earn money, she offers to weave silk for him to sell. After the fabric fetches a good price, the boy's father becomes impatient for more silk, and his greed has a life-changing effect on them all.
Lyrical storytelling deftly interwoven with original haiku create a magical adaptation of a popular Japanese folktale--an inspirational story of friendship and the power of kindness to transform lives.
For more than 200 years Japan had isolated herself from the world - now Commodore Perry, representing the US government had arrived on the shore of Japan. Perry's mission was to open a door into Japan so US ships might stop for fuel & water on their route to China.
This 3D wooden Puzzle is the oldest tower in Japan and one of the iconic buildings, ancient and elegant.
The iconic landmark you love,Build this detailed Japan skyline model!Features an elaborate façade with Tokyo Tower,Tokyo SKYTREE, Mount Fuji,Sensoji Temple,Osaka Castle and more.
Japan Sakura Tree House Building Set consists of 1810pcs + mini-blocks. It includes detailed step-by-step color instructions, and exquisite details of various sizes and color componentsand.
Whether you are studying Ancient or more modern Japan, homemade sushi fits perfectly as it is strongly associated with Japanese Culture.
Originally, around the Yayoi period (early Neolithic–early Iron Age 300 BC) the earliest form of sushi, today referred to as narezushi, was fish fermented with vinegar, salt and rice.
Then the rice was discarded.
People began to eat the rice as well as the fish during the Muromachi period (1336–1573).
In addition to sushi making, you can find other hands on resources.
For example, a books, games, and crafts to add to your Japan Unit.
Enjoy your journey to “The Land of The Rising Sun” and linger as long as you like, no passport or return date needed.
While not entirely authentic this is close to the real thing with just a few modifications to make it a little simpler for first timers.
But before we begin the sushi tutorial let me show you a few more fun hands on resources to use for your unit.
Next, look at more hands-on ideas for kids learning about Japan.
Hands on Japan Activity Ideas
- If you are a game loving family like we are you have to try Sushi Go!
- Give this Ancient Japan for Kids: Fun and Simple Handwriting Activity a go to learn how to create your own ancient text.
- LEGO is an extraordinary way to incorporate themes. Their variety is so good that you can usually find a set to fit any topic like this Bonsai Tree.
- Check out these Origami Koi Fish for another activity to keep hands busy.
- Celebrate Arbor Day With A Fun Flowering Cherry Tree Activity.
- Make this super easy hand fan,. Besides being used in summer to cool down, they are a fashionable accessory. They are paired with a kimono and yukata at bon odori dances,at firework displays, and of course summer matsuri (festivals).
- Learn Japanese by tucking these learning notes all over the house to reinforce some basic words.
- Grab this inexpensive sushi making kit to make quick work of those rolls.
Finally, look how to make this simple homemade sushi.
How to Make Simple Homemade Sushi
You will need:
- Sushi rolling mat
- Nori (seaweed for sushi)
- 1 cup uncooked white sushi rice
- 2 cups of water or follow instructions on rice
- 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar
- 1 large, sweet potato
- 1 avocado
- 1 cucumber
- Crabmeat
- Soy sauce
- Finger Bowl of water
First, cook rice according to package directions.
Combine rice vinegar and sugar until dissolved.
Stir the sugar and rice vinegar mixture into rice.
Slice vegetables into strips about 2” long – avocado, cucumber, and sweet potato.
Toss in oil and then bake the sweet potato strips in the oven at 350 or in the air fryer until softened.
Lay out all your ingredients including thin slices of crabmeat, rice, and vegetable strips.
Place Nori sheet on a sushi rolling mat rough side up with the lines going in the same direction as those on the mat, horizontal to you.
Cover the bottom ⅓ of the Nori with a thin layer of rice. Wet fingertips to spread the rice without it sticking to you.
Add strips of your desired fillings to the bottom half of the rice.
Grab the mat at the bottom and roll it from the bottom up, tucking veggies in as you go.
But for the right technique you do not want to roll the bamboo inside the sushi roll, just pull it along over it.
Stop ½” from the edge and run water along the exposed portion, continue rolling, the water will help seal your roll.
Use a sharp knife to cut the roll into ½” pieces.
California Roll- Use crab, cucumber, and avocado.
Sweet Potato roll-Use sweet potato, cucumber and avocado.
Experiment with sauces like Yum Yum, Soy, Ponzu, Sriracha, or wasabi.
