Handmade Grandparents' Day gifts at preschool! A collection of ideas using various materials

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A tray made from a milk carton

How about making a handy little organizer yourself and giving it as a gift? It’s a simple project where you use a milk carton as the base and decorate it to make it look festive.

You can decorate it with familiar items like origami, but using fabric will give the finished piece a softer feel.

Think about what your grandpa or grandma uses, and try to make it the right size to store those items neatly.

It’s important to keep the user in mind while adding your own originality.

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kappamaki

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Handprint art

Great for Respect for the Aged Day gifts, too—handprint and footprint art that cutely captures this moment

Here’s an idea: turn handprints and footprints into art and send them.

Stamp handprints and footprints, then use them as a base to decorate, adding drawings with pens or paint to make a single artwork.

These days, many safe, easy-to-wash-off stamp pads designed for hand and footprints that are gentle on the skin are available.

It’s an activity even small children who can’t yet write hiragana or letters can do, and it becomes a keepsake you can look back on years later and fondly remember, “Their hands were so tiny back then.”

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utatane

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omamori (a Japanese amulet/charm)

[Origami] A handmade charm you’ll want to gift for Respect-for-the-Aged Day! How to fold it [Autumn craft/project]

How about making a good-luck charm using origami? Use origami or chiyogami with traditional Japanese patterns that look like an omamori to fold the outer part, and place inside a slip of paper with wishes like “May you live a long life” or “May you stay healthy.” You could also attach small photos of the children.

Normally, omamori are given out at shrines and temples, but a charm made by your grandchild would surely be received with delight—“It seems like it would work better than any charm!”

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Shrinky-dink keychain

[Simple & Cute] Basic Way to Make Shrink Plastic Crafts [For Beginners]

These are keychains and accessories made using plastic sheets.

The key point is that they can be created through a simple process: draw whatever you like, then bake it to make it sturdy.

Since the material is clear plastic sheets, you can trace existing images or enjoy creating your own original designs.

If you’re making them as gifts, it might be nice to include a message along with the drawing.

Because they’re finished by baking in an oven, it’s important for an adult to supervise to ensure they’re made safely.

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glasses stand

Origami glasses holder folding method: how to make a handy office accessory (glasses holder)

How about giving a glasses stand that grandparents who wear glasses can use? You can easily make one with a single sheet of origami paper, so focusing on decorations might be a good way to add originality.

By writing a message or attaching ornaments, you can give it a festive look filled with love.

Since origami alone can be too light, attaching something to add weight will make the glasses stand more practical.

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medal

How to Make a Paper Cup Medal [Easy Craft with Kids for Gift-Giving]

A perfect way to express gratitude to grandparents on Respect for the Aged Day is with a paper-cup medal.

Attach construction paper to a paper cup, make eight cuts, and fold the tabs outward.

Flip it over and fold the tabs inward to create a flower-like pattern.

Use a craft punch to cut colorful paper shapes and decorate the medal to make it festive.

Write a short message in the center, attach a ribbon, and it’s done! It’s a gift that creates an award-ceremony feel for a special day celebrating longevity.

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lease

Let's color the nursery with autumn hues using a maple leaf wreath.

How about giving a wreath on Respect for the Aged Day to express your congratulations and gratitude to your grandparents? Wreaths make lovely decorations to brighten up a special day and can be hung on indoor walls or doors.

Since Respect for the Aged Day falls on the third Monday of September, a maple-leaf wreath with an autumn theme is also a great idea.

Instead of flowers and leaves, just prepare a paper plate and attach origami maple leaves—done! Aside from cutting out the center of the plate, it’s simply folding and gluing, so children can enjoy making it safely.

Why not convey your feelings with a cute, autumn-themed gift?

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