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

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 for 10 years as a kindergarten teacher and for 7 years as an after-school childcare instructor, then took a post as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I also engaged in activities that shared Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational play, working with many children. Afterwards, through freelance writing, planning, and editing work at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and conveying ideas. Leveraging the perspective cultivated in educational settings and my experience as an editor, I aim to deliver practical information—focusing on fields related to music and children—that values both input and output. Hobbies include instruments, singing, handcrafts, toys, drawing, traditional play, the outdoors, books, DIY, and crafts. Special skill: spinning-top tricks.
9 years of experience as a nursery school teacherShibata Risa
I am an active nursery school teacher with 9 years of experience. After graduating from university, I worked at a daycare center. The time I spent happily with children—playing piano, singing songs, and doing finger-play—are priceless memories to me. Currently, while raising three children of my own, I work at an after-school day service, engaging with children and providing individualized developmental support. Drawing on my diverse experiences as a childcare worker and as a mother, I hope to express and convey my thoughts through writing.

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.

Handmade Grandparents’ Day gifts at daycare! A collection of ideas using various materials (21–30)

Frog amulet

@mammybear_
I made a frog amulet ♡#Nursery school Nagoya City Production Handmade amulets
♬ Takaramono – wacci

Let’s use photos of the kids to make adorable good-luck charms! Here’s an idea for a “Kaeru” (frog/return) charm.

Put your wish into it: that your loved ones return home safely from work or outings.

Create a unique, cute charm with a frog motif.

Dye paper using calligraphy paper or washi and watercolor paint diluted with water.

You can drop the paint with a pipette, or dip the paper into cups of paint to let it soak in.

Once it’s completely dry, cut it into frog shapes and paste the children’s photos on.

Adding the playful message “Buji Kaeru” (a pun meaning “return safely”) is cute too! After laminating, attach a ribbon and give it as a gift.

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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.

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tsukada moe

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Handmade Grandparents’ Day gifts at daycare! A collection of ideas using various materials (31–40)

Cupcake memo stand

https://www.tiktok.com/@sakurannbo55/video/7377217515459480850

Let’s make it with clay! Here are some ideas for a cupcake memo stand.

Turn a practical memo holder into an adorable cupcake shape using clay.

Just spotting your cupcake memo stand will warm your heart every time! All you need are paper clay, clips, and beads.

The beads will be used as decorative toppings, so choosing your favorite colors and shapes will get kids excited, too.

Give it a try!

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Skeleton uchiwa (transparent handheld fan)

A unique idea you’ll want to display by the window! Here are some ideas for skeleton-style uchiwa fans.

What you’ll need: the fan frame (ribs), stickers and decals, frill lace, scissors, a craft knife, a hot glue gun, glue or tape, an A3 card case, and photos or flowers.

Uchiwa fans, which have recently become popular as “oshi-katsu” (supporting your favorites) items, can be turned into a skeleton design by inserting children’s photos.

Hold them up to the blue sky or a flower field and the changing background looks adorable.

Give it a try!

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tile coaster

Let’s customize a portrait illustration and make it into tile coasters! Here are some ideas.

Coasters are small mats for placing drinks, and they come in various materials like wood, plastic, glass, paper, and felt.

This time, we’ll use cork coasters—also available at 100-yen shops—to create handmade tile coasters.

What you’ll need: cork coasters or cork sheets, drawing paper with a portrait illustration, colored construction paper, glass tiles, self-adhesive laminating sheets, and craft glue.

Put your gratitude into it and give it as a gift.

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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!

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Magnets made from paper clay

Why not make a one-of-a-kind paper clay magnet and give it to a parent or guardian? First, use paint and paper clay to create clay in your favorite color, then shape it.

Any shape you like is fine—hearts, stars, and more.

Before the clay dries, use glue to attach beads and sequins and press them in lightly.

If you set up the environment so children can easily turn their ideas into forms, they’ll be able to focus and engage.

Attach a magnet to the back and add a message card, and it’s done! They’ll likely display it in a spot they see every day, like the refrigerator.

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tsukada moe

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