Mix several parts Japanese culture with kids and crafts, a multi-ethnic crowd and a helping of andagi and you have a recipe for family fun in Mo'ili'ili.

The event was "Kodomo no Hi: Keiki Fun Fest" as the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i presented its interpretation of the national children's day holiday in Japan, which has evolved from separate celebrations for girls and boys.

The free make-and-take crafts proved a big hit with many, including families who brought several generations along. So did the Okinawan doughnuts, sushi and waffle dogs.

Schoolteacher Sylvia Tanabe watched the Okinawan dancing with daughter Julie Tanabe, son-in-law Garrick Goo and her three grandsons, Aaron, Brady and Ethan Goo, ages 4, 3 and 2.

Sylvia Tanabe proposed the family outing as a way to learn something and have some cultural fun the week before Boys' Day on May 5.

Julie and the boys dived into the crafts, working on origami and creating headbands or hachimaki, a strip of cloth worn as a symbol of perseverance with inspiring slogans boldly written across it. She and her mom and husband all smiled as one boy looked for the next craft and his brother swayed to the music coming from the stage.

"He's really enjoying the dancing," Sylvia Tanabe said.

Carin Yoshimi brought her 6-year-old daughter, Cara, to play and learn. The two crafted a fan together. Yoshimi said her daughter is half Japanese and half Filipino and she wants her to learn about both cultures.

Any favorites? "I like the fishing game," Cara said.

Kimono dressing proved to be a minefield. Some children eagerly embraced the chance for some multi-layered dress-up. The lavish finery is expensive — $56 to $70 plus photos — but decks the children from head to tabi toes.

Larissa Sato, of Hawai'i Kai — an engineer by day — brought her 9-year-old son, Ryne, and 6-year-old daughter, Tamara, with a mother's fond wish for keepsake photos of kimono-clad kids.

Tamara happily delivered. But Ryne fidgeted, chafed and covered his mom's camera lens until she threatened to ground him for a month. Showing a wisdom beyond his years, he smiled for the photos. Lots of them.

Kristen Takakuwa, of Berkeley, Calif., was visiting her husband's family in Honolulu. She ended up on the opposite end of the age struggle.

While 3-year-old Jamie glowed graciously in her finery, patiently posing for photos and preening as politely as possible, 2-year-old Charlotte dissolved each time the adults tried to get her in a photo that didn't involve clinging to her mom.

Mandy Westfall, programs director of the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i, said the center regularly holds various events to help nurture cultural awareness. "This is specifically to celebrate children," she said.

Reach Robbie Dingeman at rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com.