The summer 'must do' list: smashing watermelons!

One of the fun Japan summer traditions my kids do almost annually is smashing watermelons! It is a tradition called 'suika-wari' in Japanese. Suika is the Japanese for watermelon and wari means to split. The activity involves striking a watermelon with a stick while blindfolded. The objective is to split the watermelon open and then consume its smashed contents!

I'm surprised this activity hasn't caught on in other countries. Its really easy to do and is really enjoyable for children. All you need is a leisure sheet or even newspaper to minimize the mess, a stick and a blindfold. You put the blindfold on the participant, turn them around three times, give them the stick and then let them have a go at hitting the watermelon. It is very unusual for a child to split it open on the first strike, so usually each child gets to have a few tries. The watermelon can end up quite squished, as you can see in the photo above.  But most kids claim it tastes even more delicious than usual! They really enjoy the fruits of their labor, figuratively and literally! 

Families do this activity at home, but usually outdoors as it can make quite a mess. It is also a popular camping and beach activity. But you will also see it as some summer festivals and / or kindergarten or school festivals. Have you or your kids ever tried it before?