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 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.
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 (1–10)

gacha machine

[Craft] Right or left? Making a candy gacha machine with paper cups! ★SunSun Kids TV★ #shorts

gacha machine

Here’s a capsule machine that dispenses candy, made from everyday materials.

Prepare a paper cup, a plastic cup, plastic wrap, tape, construction paper, and scissors.

Make three holes in the paper cup: one in the bottom and one on each side.

For the turning handle, roll the construction paper into a tube.

Stuff the inside of the handle tube with tissue to reinforce it.

For the tray, cut the construction paper into small pieces and assemble a box shape.

Draw the chute on the paper cup with a felt-tip pen and cut it out with scissors.

Then cover the top with plastic wrap and secure it with tape.

Make a hole in the bottom of the plastic cup, then combine all the parts and secure them with tape.

Add candy inside, and your capsule candy machine is complete!

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wristwatch

Easy Paper Cup 'Wristwatch' – Craft, Cute ❤︎ DIY/Tutorial/Paper Cup Craft Idea/Wrist Watch ❤︎ #724

wristwatch

How about an easy-to-make, cute-looking wristwatch that feels surprisingly real? Kids often feel a little more grown-up when they wear a watch, right? It’s also great for learning how to tell time, so try making one together as a parent-child craft! All you need are a paper cup, pipe cleaners, and markers.

Cut the paper cup so that the bottom becomes the watch face.

For the numbers on the face, your child can copy from a real clock, or a teacher or parent can draw them—either is fine! Add favorite drawings or patterns to create a one-of-a-kind, special wristwatch.

The hands are made from pipe cleaners, so kids can move them freely and play with them!

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Crayling

[Clay Rings] Make clay rings for 100 yen ┊ Design collection 💍🤍

Crayling

Introducing cute clay rings made with resin clay.

Prepare resin clay and a top coat from a 100-yen shop.

Roll out resin clay in your favorite color, form it into a loop, and make the ring base.

After letting it dry thoroughly in a well-ventilated area, decorate it as you like, such as adding beads.

Finally, apply a top coat for shine, and you’re done.

Resin clay is recommended for making accessories because it has vivid color and high strength.

Once opened, store it in a food storage container.

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[For toddlers] Simple but amazing craft ideas. Playable toys too (11–20)

koma

[For Preschool Teachers] Az Sensei’s Easy Craft Play: How to Make a Paper Plate Spinning Top

koma

The spinning tops made from paper plates reveal beautiful patterns when they spin.

Fold the paper plate to make a cross-shaped crease, then freely draw your designs.

Glue a plastic bottle cap where the creases intersect, and it’s done in no time! Pinch the bottle cap and give it a spin to play.

When the top spins, the colors blend and look even prettier, so using pens and stickers to create a colorful design is recommended.

Since all you need are a paper plate and a plastic bottle cap, lots of kids might want to make them at home too.

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dot marker

https://www.tiktok.com/@sakomama_asobi/video/7462706180264037640

Introducing DIY dot markers, a popular craft from overseas that you can make and enjoy.

Prepare small probiotic drink bottles, paint, and melamine sponges.

Put a small amount of paint and water into a drink bottle, cap it, and shake to mix.

Remove the cap, swap in a melamine sponge as the new tip, and it’s ready! Make a few colors and have fun stamping pictures and patterns onto drawing paper.

Another perk is that when the paint runs out, you can simply refill and keep enjoying it.

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squishy sticker

[Super Easy] Handmade squishy stickers are transparent and too cute!

squishy sticker

It sounds fun to hand-make stickers your child loves, right? Believe it or not, you can easily make clear stickers using glue.

Prepare a transparent clear file or plastic sheet, and draw your favorite design with water-based markers.

Before the marker ink dries, brush a layer of glue over the drawing.

If your child isn’t confident about drawing, slip a sketch under the clear file and have them trace it—no problem! Let the glue dry for a full day, and you’re done.

As time passes, the glue turns transparent, creating adorable, squishy-looking stickers.

It’s exciting to play with stickers you made yourself!

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galaxy jar

How to Make a Galaxy Jar [Parent-Child Craft]: How to Make a “Bottled Universe.”

galaxy jar

This craft condenses outer space into a tightly packed jar—full of wonder and romance! It’s perfect for at-home time; not only kids but also parents will find themselves totally absorbed.

Since children will be handling it, use a plastic jar instead of glass for safety.

Pack the jar with as much craft cotton as possible, then pour in water.

Next, load your brush with watercolor paint in your favorite color and, pushing the bristles into the gaps in the cotton, move it side to side to add color.

Be careful not to mix too many colors, as it can turn muddy; we recommend blending about two colors.

Top it off with glitter or star-shaped sequins for a beautiful finish!

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