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 (1–10)

Bata-Bata Straw

https://www.tiktok.com/@renamama_asobi/video/7435247891200937233

Let me introduce the freely moving flapping straw toy.

Prepare two bendy straws, a rubber band, a hairpin, and scissors.

Bend the accordion section of the straw and cut it to the same length.

Do the same with the other straw.

Cut the leftover straw in half.

Hook a rubber band onto the accordion section, then use the hairpin to thread the rubber band through the halved straw, and connect it to the accordion section of the other straw on the opposite side.

When hooking the straws onto the accordion parts, tie them securely so they don’t come off.

Slide the rubber band slightly to adjust, and it’s done.

You can enjoy dance-like movements.

Give it a try!

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Paper cup cracker

How to Make a Paper Cup Cracker

Paper cup cracker

We’re making a simple, safe, and endlessly fun paper cup cracker.

Pop a colorful paper cup cracker and play safely.

Prepare a paper cup, a balloon, and soft, fluffy, colorful pom-poms.

The colorful decorative pom-poms are soft and fluffy, so they’re safe even if they hit someone—great for playing with kids.

Cut out the bottom of the paper cup, then cover it with a balloon that’s been cut in half.

Tape the balloon in place so it doesn’t come off, put the decorative pom-poms inside the cup, and you’re done.

Pull the balloon’s rubber part back and let go with a pop, and the colorful pom-poms will shoot out.

It’s a reusable and fun paper cup cracker—let’s make them together!

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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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