Tanzaku Strips - download

Every year on July 7th, Japan celebrates a special holiday known as the Star Festival or Tanbata.

On this day, people write their wishes on colourful strips of paper called Tanzaku. After writing their wishes, people hang their tanzaku on bamboo branches.

Try this activity in your centre or school and hang them from a tree in your garden. Encourage the children to write or draw their wishes on colourful strips of paper, you could use these pre-coloured pieces below or create your own.