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 (71–80)

animal hat

Let's make your favorite animal with just one sheet of construction paper! Easy animal hat

animal hat

Why not make a cute animal hat out of construction paper? With a bit of creativity, you can make a rabbit, panda, elephant, and more.

First, attach two sheets of construction paper horizontally and fold them in half.

Then fold it twice vertically and into thirds horizontally, and unfold.

You should have creases forming 8 columns across and 3 rows down.

Cut off the leftmost column to make it 7 columns wide.

Fold the paper back up and cut the top two-thirds into an arch shape.

Open the paper and attach a pair of rubber bands linked together at both ends.

Gather the arched section and staple it in place, then add the animal’s face and ear parts to finish!

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windmill

[For 5-year-olds] Making Pinwheels

windmill

This is a pinwheel you can enjoy by spinning it with your hand or taking it outside in the wind.

Cut construction paper into ring shapes and connect four rings to make the pinwheel.

Make small cuts at the end of a straw and spread them open, then attach the pinwheel to finish! Besides this method, you can also enjoy making pinwheels by folding origami, or by cutting slits into paper cups or paper plates.

It might be fun to try various designs and compare which pinwheel spins the best.

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straw flute

[Straw Craft] How to Make a Whistle

straw flute

Instruments that make sounds always fascinate kids! If real instruments still feel like a high hurdle, how about a handmade flute? Believe it or not, you can make a flute by cutting straws! Cut eight straws to different lengths to create a scale.

Seal one end of each cut straw with cellophane tape, then tape them together—and you’re done! It’s so simple that children can make it right away.

It’s said that holding the flute downward and blowing a bit strongly makes it easier to produce sound, so be sure to give it a try.

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[Laminating Film] Package Remake Stickers

[No baking paper needed!] How to make stickers 100-yen-shop DIY / Kimetsu no Yaiba package remake / Original sticker making / Kimetsu no Yaiba DIY

[Laminating Film] Package Remake Stickers

There are so many lovely illustrations on snack packages and flyers, aren’t there? When you find one you like, why not remake it into a sticker? There aren’t any fussy steps, so it’s great for kids to make, too.

First, cut out your favorite illustration with scissors.

Then use self-adhesive laminating film: sandwich the illustration between the sheets and laminate it.

The key is to have the adhesive side facing down.

Another tip is to press out the air firmly after placing the illustration between the sheets.

Finally, cut out the illustration leaving a small border—and you’re done! The result is nice and sturdy, perfect for sticker play.

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colored binoculars

A Little Craft Project: Colorful! Fun Binoculars

colored binoculars

How about a craft that lets kids peek through “binoculars” and enjoy a different view, making their hearts race with excitement? You can make it easily with toilet paper rolls and colored cellophane! Cut the colored cellophane into circles and tape them to one end of the toilet paper rolls.

Make two of the same.

Decorating the rolls with origami paper or patterned wrapping paper makes them extra cute.

Secure the two rolls together firmly with double-sided tape to complete the binocular body.

Finally, add a ribbon so it can hang around the neck! You can also change the color of the cellophane.

It’s fun to look outside from a room or peek at the scenery while taking a walk.

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