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 (31–40)

cute pineapple toy

@n.annlee321
Everyone, thank you always for your lovely comments 🥰🫶✨Parenting Childcare Childcare #100-yen-shop #HandmadeToys work pool cue Seria #Seria purchases
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Here’s how to make a cute pineapple toy using a candy container! Use an empty cylindrical candy box that matches the size of a pool noodle.

Insert a yellow pool noodle inside, then cut it to the width that suits a pineapple shape.

It already looks pineapple-like at this point, but you can add the pineapple pattern by scoring it with a nail or a thin stick.

Finally, decorate the candy case to look like a tin can using fabric scraps or wrapping paper—and you’re done! It’s perfect for pretend play or playing shop.

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The Ferris wheel spinning round and round

@sayacky_be.child
Here are the materials and tips▼ (Follow before you forget ▶︎ @sayacky_be.child) ⁡ [Materials] ● Milk carton ● Pool noodle (from Seria) ● Plastic spoon ● Round wooden chopsticks ● Gacha capsule container ⁡ Handy tools when making it ● Scissors ● Utility knife ● Cutting mat ● Hot glue gun ● Empty Chip Star can ⁡ Points ▶︎ When we tried it in the bath, the play got a bit wild and the spoon came off a few times 😂 Since it’s just inserted, it’s easy to fix, but if that bothers you, securing it with hot glue in the hole might help❣️ ▶︎ With lots of use, the milk carton might get soft 👻 Doubling the layers or using chopsticks as pillars should make it last longer 😉 ▶︎ I’ll share tips in Stories on how to make it easily and neatly 🥰 ⁡ Everyone, great job as always! Wishing you bright, cheerful days… 🎧𓈒𓏸 ⁡ Nice to meet you! I’m Sayacky, a nursery teacher and mom of two who loves play that lets adults be kids too! 🥰 I share play ideas that connect, brighten, and nurture hearts—for both grown-ups and kids❣️ Please follow me 💓 @sayacky_be.child ▲ See other posts here ໒꒱#Sayakki-World Nursery teacher / Childcare worker #NurseryTeacherMom #HandmadeToys #Childcare Crafting Craft Play #Childcare topic #AtHomePlay #StayHomeTime #100-yen shop DIY
♪ Original Song – Sayakki | Preschool Crafts, Handmade Toys, Educational Play – Sayakki’s Play Atelier

Let me introduce a water-play friendly, spinning Ferris wheel craft.

Gather pool noodles, a milk carton, wooden chopsticks, plastic spoons, and a utility knife, and let’s make it.

First, cut the milk carton to create the base on which the Ferris wheel will rotate.

Next, take a piece of cut pool noodle and make six evenly spaced slits along its side.

Insert plastic spoons into the slits with the handles pointing inward.

Thread a chopstick through the center, set it onto the milk carton base, and it’s complete.

Attach gashapon capsules to the plastic spoons to transform it into a Ferris wheel.

By keeping the balance even, the Ferris wheel will spin smoothly.

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Balance tree of pool cue sticks

@soramame.sensei
Hello! We’re Soramame Kids, the Language Classroom! 😊 Today we’re introducing the “Balance Tree”! This game aims to develop: • The ability to think ahead • Control of force/pressure • Following rules 🌟 You can buy the pool sticks at Seria 🎵 Please try making it and playing with it 🥹💕 If you watch the video to the end, please Like, Comment, and Save! Thank you so much 🥰 Soramame Kids, Language Classroom Soramame Kids Kagoshima therapy Developmental support for children Child Development Support Center After-school day service Indoor play Recreation
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Let me introduce an exciting, heart-pounding balance tree made from pool noodles.

Get your materials ready: a pool noodle, a utility knife, plastic bottle caps, stickers, tape, and a paper cup.

Cut the pool noodle in half and make slits where the branches will fit.

Since you’ll be cutting with a utility knife, it’s best to start with small cuts and gradually adjust to the size you need.

Take the remaining half of the pool noodle, slice it lengthwise to create the branches.

Fit the trunk into the paper cup, insert the branches, and you’re done.

Try placing a spinning top—made by stacking two plastic bottle caps together with their indented sides facing each other—on it and enjoy the wobbly balance tree!

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Let’s try stacking or arranging the pool cues!

Here are some ways toddlers can enjoy playing with pool noodles! It’s fun to have plenty of pool noodles cut into pieces that fit in a child’s hand.

First, prepare a long string or rope threaded with the cut pool noodles.

If you stretch it horizontally at the child’s height, they can enjoy sliding the noodles left and right.

You can also stick hook-and-loop fasteners to the wall and the pool noodles so kids can attach them to the wall, or try stacking the pool noodles to build.

Have fun exploring different ideas!

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cloth picture book

[Handmade Toys] A love-filled handmade cloth picture book 📘💛 A felt and hand-sewn 🪡 Anpanman cloth picture book ❤︎

cloth picture book

Why not try making a fabric picture book inspired by Anpanman? Fabric books are a staple toy for babies.

They often crinkle, include features that promote finger development, and pack in all kinds of clever ideas.

Let’s try making one by hand.

With your own ideas—like a buttoning activity using Anpanman’s face, peekaboo flaps or matching games with various characters—you can create a delightful fabric book.

If you’re not confident at sewing, using felt and glue to craft it like an art project is a great recommendation!

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