Handmade Grandparents' Day gifts at preschool! A collection of ideas using various materials
Many nursery and kindergarten teachers are likely struggling to choose a Respect for the Aged Day gift.
Presents that children make with gratitude for their grandparents are sure to be the warmest gifts in the world.
Here, we introduce Respect for the Aged Day gift ideas—like origami amulets, handprint art, and message cards—that you can enjoy creating with nursery and kindergarten children.
Fill each piece with the children’s kindness and a record of their growth, and present it to someone special.
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Handmade Grandparents’ Day gifts at daycare! A collection of ideas using various materials (21–30)
Let’s make postcards from elephant dung
April 28 is Elephant Day.
It is said to originate from the occasion in 1729 when an elephant sent from Vietnam to Japan was presented to Emperor Nakamikado.
Elephants are among the largest land animals—truly enormous creatures! Let’s try making postcards using elephant dung from these big animals.
Put on gloves, then wash the elephant dung to extract the dietary fibers.
Using a blender, combine pulp from a milk carton with water and form it into postcard shapes.
Once it’s dry, it’s done.
Please be mindful of hygiene as you make them!
Vegetable Stamp Cards [Ages 2 and up]
These are message cards that children make by stamping vegetables to express their gratitude! The teacher cuts the vegetables to match the theme, and the children press them onto construction paper to create their artwork.
It’s an activity suitable for children as young as two, so try incorporating it into your Grandparents’ Day crafts! Once the stamped paint dries, the children can freely draw in the grandparents’ hair and facial expressions.
Enjoy the shapes of the cut vegetable cross-sections and the stamped patterns as you complete the project!
Handmade Grandparents’ Day gifts at daycare! A collection of ideas using various materials (31–40)
[Ages 3 and up] Cosmos Flower and Doily Card
A festive card with cosmos flowers and doilies.
Cut a sponge into an easy-to-hold rectangle, dab it with paint, and stamp flower shapes so the petals cross at the center to create a cosmos pattern.
Use several colors for a vibrant finish, then cut out and paste portraits of Grandma and Grandpa drawn on a separate sheet of paper.
Finally, decorate by attaching pieces of cut doily to the edges and corners, and add a message of thanks from the children to complete it!
[Vegetable Stamps] A Present for Respect-for-the-Aged Day
How about making a Respect-for-the-Aged Day gift using vegetable stamps? You can use any vegetables for the stamps, but it’s nice to include ones with unique cross-sections when sliced, such as okra or green peppers.
Press a handprint onto construction paper, paste a photo of the child in the center of a paper plate, and stamp vegetables all around it.
Punch a hole in the bottom of the paper plate and the top of the handprint sheet, thread a string through, and it’s done.
Hopefully the children’s message of gratitude—“Thank you always”—will reach your loved ones.
[Vegetable Stamps] Grandparents’ Day Bouquet
How about making a Grandparents’ Day bouquet with vegetable stamps? For prep, fold a doily into a triangle and cut origami paper into leaf shapes.
Any vegetables are fine, but to make flower petals, using the base of greens like komatsuna works well.
Once everything’s ready, dip the vegetables in paint and have the children stamp them onto the backing paper.
Then glue on the doily and leaves, and decorate with stickers or washi tape.
If you want to add a message, have an adult write it for them.
When it’s finished, give it as a gift to Grandpa and Grandma.
Surprise accessory case
Let’s make a slightly surprising gift where a flower pops out when you open a paper cup.
Have the children freely decorate the two paper cups.
Washi tape and stickers are handy to have.
Next, make the flowers to go inside using tissue (flower) paper.
Adjust the tasks according to the children’s ages.
Create a spring with construction paper and attach it to the bottom of the paper cup, and you’re good to go.
When it opens with a pop and the pretty flowers spring out, parents are sure to be delighted.
A bouquet made with handprints
Why not try making a card shaped like a bouquet using handprints? By including handprints—something truly one-of-a-kind—it can become a very special keepsake.
First, paint your hands with poster paint and press your right and left hands onto construction paper as if they were the wrapping paper of a bouquet.
Then, paste many flower-shaped cutouts in the space between the two handprints.
Besides flowers, you can also add things like portraits, ladybugs, or musical notes in major key; decorating with various elements will make a cute, memorable card.
Give it a try!
