[Childcare] Playful craft ideas to enjoy with 5-year-olds

Let’s draw a picture using rain.

[For 5-year-olds] Let's paint using rain!

Rain during water play or swimming makes children look even more delighted.

Maybe it’s that sense of invincibility that comes from thinking, “It’s okay to get wet.” It can also be fun to create using the properties of pens—oil-based pens don’t bleed in water, while water-based pens do.

That opens up lots of inventive ways to plan in reverse: “It’s okay if this part bleeds a bit,” or “I don’t want this section to bleed.” You could even wait for a rainy day and let it actually get wet.

If you’re thinking about health considerations, a spray bottle or watering can is a good substitute.

catch-ball machine

[Upcycling Play] Launch and Catch a Ball! DIY Toy <Make It Right Now> [Easy Craft] Toilet Paper Rolls and Paper Plates

How about making a fun catch-ball machine that shoots the ball and pawn with a satisfying pop? First, cut a circle in the center of a paper plate to match the diameter of a toilet paper tube, then cut away one quarter of the plate and overlap the edges to form a cone, taping it in place.

Next, cut slits into one end of the toilet paper tube, hook two rubber bands in a cross shape into the slits, secure them with tape so they don’t come off, and attach a ball made by wrapping tissues with tape to the rubber bands.

Thread the toilet paper tube through the hole in the paper plate and fix it in place.

Finally, make one more soft ball out of tissues and tape, and you’re done.

It’s fun to play alone, and making several to play with family or friends sounds great too!

Creation of rain clouds

Clouds that change their shapes over time.

Some people even fall in love with clouds and aim to become weather forecasters—their charm is truly unfathomable, isn’t it? I think kids also love that fluffy cloud vibe.

If you add raindrops using plastic strips to a white cloud, it really brings out the mood.

Imagine a jellyfish and you’ll have the general form down.

Don’t forget decorations like raindrops and frogs.

To get that soft, puffy cloud texture, use a mix of shaving cream and liquid glue.

White wood glue should work as a substitute, too.

A toy train with magnets

[Handmade Toy] I tried making a toy train with magnets

Let’s create a tiny world inside a plastic bottle! Here’s an idea for a toy train that moves with magnets.

Even without touching the train, it moves like magic—sure to capture children’s interest! You’ll need a 1.5-liter plastic bottle, magnets, string, two bottle caps, colored paper, scissors, a utility knife, cellophane tape, vinyl tape, double-sided tape, and an awl.

If you make it together with kids, the little world inside the bottle will grow even more imaginative!

Magnet and pipe cleaner toy

No.108 “Magnet and Pipe Cleaner Toy” [Handmade Toy by a Nursery Teacher]

Let me introduce a toy using magnets and pipe cleaners.

Prepare an empty 6-piece cheese box, bottle caps, pipe cleaners, a plastic sheet, drawing paper, string, clear tape, vinyl tape, and glue, and let’s make it.

Line the inside of the empty cheese box with drawing paper to create the base.

Cut the plastic sheet into a circle to make a window.

Choose the colors of the pipe cleaners, cut them to length, and place them inside the cheese box to get ready.

Put a magnet inside a bottle cap, and tape two caps together with vinyl tape so the magnet won’t fall out.

Make a hole in the cap, thread the string through, and create the magnetic part that will move the pipe cleaners.

By holding the magnet against the outside of the cheese box, the pipe cleaners inside gather and move, making it a fun toy to play with!

Bug-catching toy

[Handmade Toy] Magnet Stick-On Bug Catching Game 🐞 | Summer Vacation Craft

We’ll introduce how to make a bug-catching toy.

Get construction paper, magnets, straws, paper clips, glue, and some netting ready.

Cut colored construction paper into circles and assemble them into bugs.

Attach one paper clip to each bug and secure it with cellophane tape so it won’t come off.

Next, let’s make the bug-catching net.

Cut a ring out of thick paper and remove the center.

Thread the netting through the ring and staple it in place.

Make the handle out of a straw and attach it securely, then glue on a magnet, and you’re done! Have fun seeing how many bug cards you can catch.

Cardboard mini car case

[DIY Cardboard Craft at Home!] A handmade town where you can play with Tomica mini cars! Transforms from a storage case, also using small items from Flying Tiger! Handmade toy Toy cars T’s Garage

Even tidying up is simple! Here’s an idea for a cardboard mini car case.

Many kids love toy cars like mini cars, don’t they? This idea is perfect if you’re thinking, “I want to make a road for cars to drive on and give it as a gift,” or “I’d be happy if it’s easy to take toys in and out.” It’s unique because when you open the storage case for the mini cars, it transforms into a townscape with roads.

Adding a handle makes it easy to carry, which is a nice bonus.

Definitely give it a try!