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, including toys you can play with (81–90)

Magnet UFO

I tried making a UFO that moves in a strange way using magnetic force! (Learn while playing—recommended for 3rd and 4th graders) #magnets #crafts #homemadetoy

Magnet UFO

Unpredictable! Irregular motion is fascinating! Here’s an idea for a magnetic unidentified flying object.

What comes to mind when you hear “UFO”? Some people might imagine round lights or being taken away in a bright beam.

The charm of this UFO is its irregular movement.

Let’s make a toy with addictive, unique motion by taking advantage of magnets’ properties! If there’s any chance a child might swallow a magnet, make sure a parent or teacher is always supervising nearby.

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Origami Fireworks

A fireworks artisan with drawing paper and origami♪

Origami Fireworks

For Japanese people, fireworks are a summer tradition that everyone—from kids to adults—can enjoy! Here’s an “origami fireworks” craft that lets children feel like fireworks artisans.

Fold four sheets of origami paper into accordions and glue them together.

Fold the joined sheet, make small cuts, open it up, and attach two pieces of kite string so they sit in the center—this completes the fireworks part.

Next, roll a sheet of construction paper into a tube and tape it, then wrap origami around the tube with a bit of slack.

Finally, insert the fireworks piece into the tube and fix it to the origami wrapped with string.

Pull down from below and a beautiful firework will launch! Try different color combinations for endless fun.

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Bubbly soap bubbles

[Simple Craft] We made a bubble blower using a plastic bottle and straws, and the foam was so intense that it was a blast

Bubbly soap bubbles

Big visual impact! Let’s make a bubbly foam bubble blower.

First, prepare 45 straws cut to about 3 cm in length.

Once they’re ready, cut a clear file folder into a strip and line the straws up on it.

A hot glue gun is recommended for attaching them.

When finished, roll the piece up into a coil.

Finally, cut a 500 ml plastic bottle to about one-third of its height, insert the part you just made, and you’re done.

When you blow bubbles with this, you’ll get a breathtaking display.

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sticker burr

Super easy! Make a sticky bug with chenille stems and magnets

sticker burr

How about making a simple yet strangely addictive and fun toy called the Clingy Bug? It’s really easy to make: cut pipe cleaners into pieces about 1 centimeter long and put them into a clear plastic jar or similar container.

When you hold a magnet against the outside of the jar… the tiny pipe-cleaner pieces will swarm and stick to the magnet.

They wriggle and crawl around like real little bugs, and it’s so fun you’ll want to try all kinds of different magnets! If you add pipe cleaners in lots of colors, it’s even more fun to look at!

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Soap bubbles made with pipe cleaners

[Done in 1 minute] That bubble thing made with pipe cleaners is a huge hit with kids 🫧✨ #shorts #childcare #crafts

Soap bubbles made with pipe cleaners

Like a magic wand! Let’s make a cute item that makes blowing bubbles even more fun.

First, prepare a cookie cutter in your favorite shape.

Shape a chenille stem (pipe cleaner) along the cutter and twist to secure it.

Next, thread a few beads of your choice onto the lower part of the stem.

To prevent the beads from slipping off, twist the tip into a small loop—and you’re done! The steps are simple and exciting to do, so try making it with family or friends and use it for your bubble play.

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