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 awesome craft ideas. Playable toys too (51–60)

Handmade maracas

[Handmade Instruments] Make Maracas with Things at Home: A Fun Activity to Do with Your Kids

Handmade maracas

Here’s an introduction to easy, handmade maracas you can make with everyday materials.

Gather a capsule toy case, a toilet paper roll, a plastic bottle, beads or buttons, and vinyl tape, and let’s get started.

Cut off the neck portion of the plastic bottle, roll the toilet paper core to make a sturdy handle, and attach it securely with vinyl tape.

Put the buttons or beads inside the capsule toy case, fasten it firmly with vinyl tape, and close the lid.

Once it’s finished, shake your maracas, sing along, and have fun!

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smartphone stand

[Homemade] Cute Smartphone Stand (Sumikko Gurashi) How to Make by Folding Paper – Cardstock & A4 Copy Paper, Handmade DIY Craft

smartphone stand

Here’s an idea for making a smartphone stand using A4 construction paper.

Place the paper horizontally, fold it in half to make a crease, then open it.

Fold the top and bottom edges to the center crease, and fold them the same way once more.

Fold the paper in half by bringing the left and right edges together.

Fold the looped edge inward by about 2 cm and unfold, then open the paper completely.

Fold both ends toward the crease that is closest to the middle among the three center creases, then unfold.

Apply glue to the section with the center crease and stick it together while tucking one end into the other at the edge, and it’s done! Add stickers or other decorations to make it even cuter.

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Balloon air cannon

Easy craft with balloons: a plastic bottle air cannon

Balloon air cannon

Let’s make a balloon air cannon you can use for target practice! You will need a balloon, a plastic bottle, a toilet paper tube, and vinyl tape.

Remove the cap from the plastic bottle, and cut off a bit of the bottom to make an opening.

Then slightly trim the top of a balloon, tie off the mouth of the balloon, and attach the balloon to the bottle’s opening.

Next, cut slits in one end of the toilet paper tube and spread them out like petals, then attach the tube around the middle of the bottle to make a handle for the air cannon.

Decorate as you like, and you’re done! When you pull the balloon, the air inside the bottle shoots out and knocks over objects set up in front.

Please divide the tasks between the teacher and the children according to the children’s ages.

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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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Pop in the bath!

@mimita33332
Today's post is 'Pop! in the Bath!'#AtHomePlay #AtHomePlay #StayHomeTime Play ideas #HandmadeToys Simple toy Simple Play #EducationalPlay Educational What do you do on a rainy day?Nursery teacher / Childcare worker Plastic bottle #BathTimePlay #TerribleTwos #HateBaths #OvercomingBathAversion Anpanman #AnpanmanHandmadeToy
♬ So Cute – Audiosphere

Here’s how to make a fun “Bath Pop!” toy that’s sure to make even bath-shy kids smile.

First, cut a plastic bottle in half and use the half with the opening.

Gather one corner of a plastic bag into a rounded tip, then cut off the bag’s handles.

Draw any picture you like on the plastic bag, and firmly tape it to the cut edge of the bottle with vinyl (duct) tape.

Push the plastic bag down into the bottle—now it’s ready.

When you put it in the bath, the plastic bag will pop out with a ‘pop!’ It’s lots of fun.

Try drawing your child’s favorite characters and play together!

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