With online shopping now widespread, it has become possible to buy school supplies and stationery for children without seeing them in person, giving us more options to choose from.
On the other hand, have you ever bought school supplies or stationery without seeing them in person, only to find they weren’t right for your child, and then struggled in daily life because they couldn’t use them well?
More than 100 items designed to address challenges such as “difficulty writing” and “difficulty staying organized” were brought together at “I Did It! Ideas to Help You Do More,” an exhibition where visitors could pick up and try all the items side by side. The exhibition came to Kurashiki City on Sunday, June 28, 2026.
The information presented here was current when this article was published in August 2026. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What is “I Did It! Ideas to Help You Do More”?
“I Did It! Ideas to Help You Do More” is a hands-on exhibition where visitors can try tools and stationery that help children overcome challenges at nursery school, kindergarten, and school. It was held at Kurashiki Health and Welfare Plaza on Sunday, June 28, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The exhibition was initiated by Obu Tomoe. She has held exhibitions seven times in the past in places including Okayama City and Kasaoka City. This was the first time it was held in Kurashiki City, and the eighth exhibition overall.
For details, see the images below.
![[Held Sunday, June 28] I Did It! Ideas to Help You Do More — Try and find tools and stationery that suit you](https://media.kuratoco.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/02134929/DSF1479-485x323.jpg)
What the day was like
As I made my way to the venue, Kurashiki Health and Welfare Plaza, I saw many families with children walking there and wondered, “Are there lots of children’s events being held in the same building today?” When I arrived, I found that many people, like me, were entering the venue for “I Did It! Ideas to Help You Do More.”
The event was so popular that people even had to wait their turn to try some of the tools.
According to organizer Obu, it drew the largest number of visitors ever.
See the images below for the venue map and the school supplies and stationery displayed at each venue.
An exhibition where children could enjoy using the tools as they played
When I think of exhibitions, I picture events attended only by adults, who listen to explanations from manufacturers’ representatives and the like.
But when I entered “I Did It! Ideas to Help You Do More,” I saw that most visitors had brought children. This meant that visitors could see their own children using the tools at the venue.
Visitors could not only try out the stationery, but also take part in workshops where they drew pictures and cut things out with scissors. This made it possible to get a realistic idea of how the items would be used.
Several staff members and volunteers were stationed at each venue and would carefully explain how to use the items, so visitors could feel at ease.
Not only parents of children who would actually use the tools, but also adults visiting on their own, such as expectant mothers, were likely able to picture how the items would be used in practice.
An exhibition filled with looks of amazement from adults and children alike
Some time ago, being left-handed was sometimes considered a “special trait,” but today almost all manufacturers sell scissors that can be used by people with either dominant hand. I also have no motor disabilities, but I remember trying out various jump ropes in elementary school and sticking with the one that was easiest to jump with.
In other words, even without a diagnosis such as a developmental disorder, choosing tools that feel comfortable to use is becoming commonplace.
Children weren’t the only ones enjoying the tools. As parents watched their children use them, they were even more surprised than the children, saying things like, “I didn’t know there was stationery that was this easy to use!” and “This would make taking care of things at home so much easier!” Throughout the venue, visitors could be seen taking their time to explore the exhibits.
Many adults who sat on cushions designed to make it easier to sit with good posture said, “This is so comfortable that I want one for my own chair, not just my child’s!” They scanned the QR codes on their smartphones to visit the products’ sales websites and seemed to be considering a purchase.
Of course, I also tried out various tools myself.
The item that particularly caught my attention was “Hiragajan,” a board game where players make words using hiragana.
With games and even educational materials increasingly going digital, board games that families and friends can really enjoy together seem more valuable than ever. What’s more, because the game lets players focus on “how many words they can make,” it is easy for even children who tend to get fixated on winning and losing to enjoy.
Winning and losing may be important in certain situations, such as competitions and contests that require extensive practice. But with recreational activities like board games, enjoying the process of playing rather than focusing on winning and losing helps everyone relax.
There were many board games that adults and children alike could get really into, and I saw plenty of people enjoying playing them.
There were also products from companies offering services tailored to children with specific needs, such as junior-size diapers and earmuffs for sound sensitivity. However, most of the items were available from stores and websites that everyone has probably used at least once, such as 100-yen shops and Amazon.
The exhibition gave me the opportunity to realize that these tools are not just “for” children with specific needs, but are things that children with specific needs “can also” use.
From the Writer
The “Ideas for More ‘I Did It!’ Moments” exhibition was finally held after several community centers and other venues in Kurashiki City requested it. The venue was packed with participants from not only Kurashiki City but also neighboring Soja City and Asakuchi City.
Most visitors came with children, but some adults attended on their own, including pregnant women. People of all ages seemed keenly interested in the tools, which are full of ideas to help children have more “I did it!” moments.
There have also been requests to hold the exhibition in various parts of Okayama Prefecture, including Kurashiki City. If you’d like to visit next time, check the official Instagram.
Ideas for More “I Did It!” Moments Exhibition Information
| Name | Ideas for More “I Did It!” Moments Exhibition |
|---|---|
| Date | June 28, 2026 (Sunday), 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. |
| Location | 180 Sasaoki, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Admission (tax included) | Free admission |
| Website | Official Instagram |
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