Lovely childcare

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

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.
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

I want to enjoy crafts with a five-year-old, but they get bored with flat, two-dimensional projects…

Does that sound familiar?

Here are some craft ideas perfect for five-year-olds, whose thinking skills and ability to work on tasks are really blossoming—plus, they double as toys you can play with.

Enjoy the crafting process, and then try playing with the toys you made, both indoors and outdoors.

It’s also fine to lend and borrow toys with friends.

Kids tend to cherish toys they made themselves, so they’ll likely play with them carefully.

Teachers, why not make and play together too?

[Childcare] Playful craft ideas to enjoy with 5-year-olds (51–60)

Fun to play with! Bath bomb

[For 5-year-olds] Fun-to-make bath bomb crafting!

Fun to play with! Bath bomb

Why not try making handmade bath bombs that make bath time incredibly fun? The method is super easy—just mix baking soda, citric acid, and food coloring in your favorite shade! If you press the mixture into molds of different sizes and shapes, you can create a variety of bath bombs to enjoy.

Since baking soda and citric acid are also used in food, it’s safe for kids to handle with their hands.

The kneading and molding process is a lot of fun, so let the kids dive in and enjoy the experience.

After you make them, it’s great to drop them into water or warm bathwater and enjoy the fizzy sensation!

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straw airplane

[For 4-year-olds] Let’s make a straw airplane!

straw airplane

Let me introduce a straw airplane.

Prepare a straw, a shorter sheet of construction paper, a longer sheet of construction paper, and cellophane tape, and let’s make it.

Roll up each of the short and long pieces of construction paper and tape them into rings.

Attach a strip of tape horizontally to one end of the straw, then stick the smaller paper ring to that end; do the same on the other end with the larger paper ring to complete it.

When flying and playing, make sure no one is around and use a wide, open space.

It could also be fun to race by launching multiple airplanes against each other.

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Handmade microphone

[4-year-olds] Looks just like the real thing?! Handmade microphone!

Handmade microphone

Let me introduce a cute original microphone craft.

Prepare a plastic wrap tube, a capsule toy container, origami paper, and yarn, and let’s make it.

Wrap the origami paper around the plastic wrap tube so that a bit of the paper sticks out on either the left or right side.

On the side where the paper sticks out, tape on the yarn, crumple the extra paper to make it small, and tuck it into the center of the wrap tube—this completes the microphone handle.

Next, place the capsule toy container on top of the wrap tube and tape it so it won’t fall off, and your microphone is complete! Draw a switch on the handle, and add illustrations or stickers as you like to create your very own original microphone.

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Making houses out of thick paper (cardstock)

100-yen store DIY: A cardboard dollhouse — Princess Castle. How to make a dollhouse

Making houses out of thick paper (cardstock)

Here’s a guide to making an adorable cardboard house.

Use a ruler to sketch the house’s dimensions on the cardboard.

Carefully cut along the guidelines with scissors or a craft knife.

Add color to the cardboard using construction paper.

Cutting the construction paper with scissors is recommended, but tearing and pasting pieces might add a charming, handmade feel to the work as well.

Use glue to attach the parts and assemble them so they don’t fall apart.

Once you add the final decorations, your cute dollhouse is complete.

If you like, adding sparkly stickers or beads can make it even more charming!

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[Childcare] Playful craft ideas to enjoy with 5-year-olds (61–70)

Pom-pom curling

https://www.tiktok.com/@tomonite_official/video/7458140505033936135

Make it with materials you have at home! Here’s an idea for “Pom-Pom Curling.” Curling is a sport played on ice where teams take turns throwing heavy circular stones called “stones,” competing against each other.

This time, let’s use items you have at home to play Pom-Pom Curling! What you’ll need: construction paper, a toilet paper roll, a bag, scissors, double-sided tape, and tape.

It looks like a great way to develop control over force and strategic thinking.

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Origami that turns into a train when you pull it

https://www.tiktok.com/@kei.chiiku.hattatsu/video/7479764801191693576

Put it in your pocket and start playing whenever you like! Here’s an origami idea that turns into a train when you pull it.

Many children feel sad or frustrated when their origami creations lose their shape after being carried in a pocket or bag.

This idea is perfect for those moments: it folds up for easy storage, and when you pull it, it turns into a train.

All you need is origami paper, glue, and string.

It’s also fun because you can combine your favorite colors of paper.

Give it a try!

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Handmade aluminum balloon

https://www.tiktok.com/@mumumama_ch/video/7470453610678127890

Let’s have fun with aluminum foil! Here are some ideas for making DIY aluminum balloons.

Aluminum foil is commonly used for cooking and storage, right? This time, let’s use the aluminum foil you have at home to make handmade aluminum balloons.

You’ll need aluminum foil, a pen, a round template, stickers, scissors, laminating sheets, tape, and a stick such as a disposable chopstick.

Draw on the aluminum foil, laminate it, then make a hole and blow air into it.

Insert the stick and secure it with tape, and you’re done!

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