17 August Competitions as a Platform for Building Character and Creativity in Indonesian Children
The celebration of Indonesia’s Independence Day is not only a moment to remember the nation’s struggle, but can also serve as a space to instil the values of togetherness, creativity, and an active lifestyle in the younger generation from an early age.
This spirit returned through Lemoniloland, an annual event which in its fifth year invited children from 20 schools in various cities across Java to enliven the Republic of Indonesia’s Independence Day anniversary with a variety of creative and interactive competitions.
The activities, held at a number of schools in Jakarta, Tangerang, Bekasi, Depok, Jombang, and Pontang, featured various games typical of 17 August celebrations.
Children were invited to take part in a cup relay race, inserting straws into bottles, removing balls from cardboard boxes, and a human tank game. These various activities were designed not merely to provide entertainment, but also to encourage children to move actively, train their agility, build cooperation, and learn to solve challenges together with their friends.
One activity that attracted particular attention was a competition to decorate tumpeng using Lemonilo noodles as one of the main ingredients. Children were given the opportunity to be creative in making noodle tumpeng in various shapes and appearances according to their imagination. The activity served as a means for children to learn to collaborate and express their creativity in a joyful atmosphere of independence celebration.
The entire series of activities was provided free of charge to participating schools. The organisers also prepared competition equipment and facilitators to help guide the activities so that each one could proceed in an orderly and interactive manner.
Joy was evident as the children encouraged one another and worked together to complete each challenge. For them, the experience of taking part in competitions with friends and teachers became part of the independence celebration that was not only enjoyable, but also left a positive impression.
Head of Marketing Communication at Lemonilo, Karina Mahaya, said the activity was part of efforts to provide positive experiences for children and instil habits of active and healthier living from an early age.
“For five consecutive years, Lemoniloland has been present to prove that Independence Day celebrations are not merely an annual tradition, but also a moment to cultivate the character, creativity, and active lifestyle of Indonesian children. We want to continue supporting children’s growth and development towards becoming a great generation through fun experiences that inspire healthier living habits from an early age,” said Karina in Jakarta on Monday (17/8/2026).
According to her, independence celebrations in the school environment can be a momentum to strengthen important social values for children’s development, from the courage to try and the ability to work together to creativity in solving challenges.
Entering its fifth year, Lemoniloland has once again become part of independence celebrations at schools by involving various regions and presenting activities that encourage children to move, interact, and create.
The activity shows that the spirit of independence can be translated into simple forms within the educational environment. Through games and shared activities, children not only enjoy the festivities of 17 August, but also gain experiences that can help build character and positive habits from an early age.