Recommended for elementary school students! A fun collection of craft ideas for first graders

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.

A first grader with a strong sense of curiosity who is sensitive to colors and shapes.

They also enjoy playing with friends and are beginning to discover the fun of cooperation.

This is a great time for drawing pictures and making things.

As their fine motor skills start to develop, why not let them explore different materials and enjoy crafting?

Here, we’ll introduce easy, fun craft ideas you can try.

Have fun unleashing your imagination by making all kinds of things with friends, at school, or with your family.

Recommended for elementary school kids! A fun collection of craft ideas for first graders (141–150)

Flower Hand-cranked Spinning Top

@n.annlee321
A hand-spun top that you spin with your palm ☺️✨Summer Vacation Craft #tiktok classroom Life with children #HandmadeToys
♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys – Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey

Let’s make a hand-spun top that you spin vigorously with your hand, designed with a cute, flower-inspired look.

We’ll use a disposable chopstick as the top’s axle, and wrap long, folded strips of paper around it to form the shape of the top.

Everyone should clearly imagine their favorite flower and think about which colors of paper will best match that flower.

Wrapping the paper tightly is the key to making the whole piece sturdy and ensuring it spins well.

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kappamaki

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Cute shaved ice piggy bank

@n.annlee321
Adorably peeking shaved-ice piggy bank 💓☺️✨#HandmadeToys Summer Vacation Craft piggy bank
♬ EMA – go!go!vanillas

Here’s an idea for a shaved-ice coin bank made from a milk carton.

It’s adorable because a little face pops out when you put a coin in.

Prepare a small milk carton and peel off the outer printed layer so it’s white.

Cut the spout into a mountain shape.

Draw the syrup part with a pen, attach an iridescent (aurora) sheet, and create the slot for inserting coins.

Next, pierce a rotating cardboard piece with a bamboo skewer and fix it inside the milk carton.

Thread the face piece onto the part of the skewer that sticks out of the carton and glue it in place, then decorate the other end with beads.

Attach thick paper around it to hide the skewer, and close the spout to finish.

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sasashina

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An hourglass made of straws

@silk_haru3mama
Summer vacation craft 🌻 It's fun—when you flip it over like an hourglass, the straws flow down! ⌛️#Summer Vacation Summer Vacation Craft #AtHomePlay #HandmadeToys work Educational toy #craft
♬ Another Day of Sun from La La Land [ORIGINAL COVER] – SoundWorks

Let’s make a toy where short straws fall like an hourglass.

First, cut a wire to 40 cm and wrap it around a pencil to make a spring.

Prepare two small paper cups and make a hole in the center of each bottom; thread one cup onto one end of the spring and secure it.

Stretch the spring and thread short, cut pieces of straw onto it.

Then thread and secure the other paper cup on the opposite end.

To prevent the spring from expanding and contracting, bridge two chopsticks between the two cups and glue them in place, and you’re done! Decorate the paper cups and chopsticks with masking tape or stickers to make it cute.

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sasashina

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Bead and pipe cleaner ideas

https://www.tiktok.com/@n.annlee321/video/7175463534589922562

Thread beads onto pipe cleaners to make all kinds of little accessories.

First curl one end of the pipe cleaner, then thread on a bead.

Insert the curled tip into the bead’s hole, pull the other side to lock it in place, and after that just add your favorite beads and form a loop.

Make it larger for a bracelet, or use flower-shaped beads to create a flower crown for a doll.

You can also use them for cable ties, tiny bottle decorations, and many other situations.

Because you’re using pipe cleaners, the beads don’t slip off easily after threading, making this an easy activity for toddlers and lower-grade elementary school children.

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sasashina

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Making felt flowers

@n.annlee321
Felt flower series ☺️ Pipe cleaners are pretty handy too 👍#tiktok classroom #StayHomeTime Life with children work
♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys – Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey

Why not try making flowers that never wilt using felt and pipe cleaners? It’s very easy and cute.

First, cut petals out of felt.

Slightly fold the base of each petal and snip along the crease—this is where you’ll thread the pipe cleaner later.

Cut a light green pipe cleaner into three 4 cm pieces.

Lay two pieces in an X shape, then place the third straight across and twist to form the stamen.

Wrap a green pipe cleaner around to make the stem, and wrap a yellow pipe cleaner around the tip of the stamen to represent the pollen.

Finally, thread the petals onto the stem and glue them in place to finish.

Try making your favorite flowers!

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sasashina

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