Lovely childcare

[For toddlers] Simple but amazing craft ideas — including toys they can play with

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.
Keyboard playerSAKI
I’ve been playing the Electone since I was six, mainly performing Disney music, anime songs, and music from dramas and films. I post performance videos on YouTube and social media, and I also give concerts. Building on my Electone experience, I took up synthesizer and piano during my student years and performed at school-sponsored events. As a writer, I’ve covered not only music-related topics but a wide range of genres, so I hope to draw on my experience to deliver articles that make readers think, “I want to try that!” or “I want to listen to that!”

There are so many opportunities to do crafts at daycare and kindergarten, aren’t there?

Crafts help develop fine motor skills, nurture imagination and concentration, and offer plenty of great benefits for children’s development.

But are there teachers and parents out there thinking, “What should we make?” and running out of ideas?

In this article, we’ll introduce simple yet impressive craft ideas.

Many of them can be played with after making them, so the kids are sure to have a great time!

They’re all easy to make with materials that are simple to gather, so please use these as a reference.

[For Toddlers] Simple but Amazing Craft Ideas: Playable Toys Too (41–50)

Gashi-Gashi Hand

Paper Cup Craft: “Grab-and-Grip Hand”

Gashi-Gashi Hand

Introducing a grabby hand you can make with paper cups.

Let’s create a fun and useful toy using paper cups you have at home.

Prepare two paper cups: use one as the base, and use the other to make a hand that can pick up bits of paper.

Attach a straw with slits to the hand.

Make a hole in the bottom of the base cup, then insert the hand with the straw through it, and your grabby hand for picking up paper scraps is ready.

It can pick up light items like paper scraps or tissues, so kids can help tidy up the house while playing.

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robot arm

[Playable Craft] Using a Paper Cup and a Kitchen Paper Tube! Cool! Magic Hand (Robot Arm) [Recycled Craft / Independent Research]

robot arm

The magic hand you see in toy sections and the like—the one that’s handy for picking up items a little out of reach or retrieving something that’s fallen where you can’t reach—can actually be made easily with this idea.

The materials are very simple: two paper cups, a paper towel tube, construction paper, and string.

Just make a hole in the bottom of one paper cup and attach it to the paper towel tube, then combine it with a tube made from a paper cup and colored construction paper that serves as the gripper inside.

You can put it together in about an hour!

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chain drop

[Handmade Toys] [Daycare, Kindergarten] I tried making three types of toys you can play with using chains.

chain drop

Let’s make a toy called a “chain dropper” using a milk powder can! It’s very easy to make.

Attach the parts of Anpanman’s face to the lid of the can, then cut out the mouth area with a utility knife.

After that, secure the lid with tape so it won’t come off, and just put the chain inside! Little kids love putting things into small holes like this—and they love pulling them out, too! It’s a simple toy, but it’s a classic favorite among children.

Give it a try!

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buzzing top

[Preschool Teacher] Let's Make and Play! How to Make a Whirligig (Bunbun Goma) ✨ [Nursery School/Kindergarten]

buzzing top

How about making a “whirring button spinner” that kids can play with as soon as it’s finished during kindergarten or nursery craft time? A bunbun-goma is a top that makes wind and a buzzing sound as the string is pulled in and out.

Many people probably played with these long ago! Reuse a milk carton by using the bottom as the top and cutting it into a square.

Using just one bottom piece is fine, but gluing two together makes it sturdier.

Draw your favorite patterns and make two holes in the center—since you’ll use an awl, have an adult help with that part.

Finally, thread some twine through, and it’s done! When you spin it, the colors appear to blend, which is really fun!

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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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