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 (41–50)

smartphone stand

[Homemade] Cute Smartphone Stand (Sumikko Gurashi) How to Make by Folding Paper – Cardstock & A4 Copy Paper, Handmade DIY Craft

smartphone stand

Here’s an idea for making a smartphone stand using A4 construction paper.

Place the paper horizontally, fold it in half to make a crease, then open it.

Fold the top and bottom edges to the center crease, and fold them the same way once more.

Fold the paper in half by bringing the left and right edges together.

Fold the looped edge inward by about 2 cm and unfold, then open the paper completely.

Fold both ends toward the crease that is closest to the middle among the three center creases, then unfold.

Apply glue to the section with the center crease and stick it together while tucking one end into the other at the edge, and it’s done! Add stickers or other decorations to make it even cuter.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

[For toddlers] Simple but awesome craft ideas. Playable toys too (51–60)

Kaleidoscope of Flowers

I tried making a flower kaleidoscope.

Kaleidoscope of Flowers

A flower kaleidoscope with such beautiful, intricate movements that you’ll want to watch it over and over.

It looks really difficult… but you can actually make it easily with thin ribbon, round stickers, a bamboo skewer, and a straw.

First, prepare three round stickers with holes in the center.

Place ribbon cut to the same length on top of one sticker, then stick another sticker over it.

Attach the ribbon ends at equal intervals to the remaining sticker, and secure them with a solid (no-hole) sticker to form a springy sphere.

Thread a bamboo skewer through it, add a bead or similar to the tip, and secure it with glue.

Slide a straw onto the skewer, and it’s complete.

Twist, push, and pull to enjoy a variety of expressions.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Magnet and pipe cleaner toy

No.108 “Magnet and Pipe Cleaner Toy” [Handmade Toy by a Nursery Teacher]

Magnet and pipe cleaner toy

Let me introduce a toy using magnets and pipe cleaners.

Prepare an empty 6-piece cheese box, bottle caps, pipe cleaners, a plastic sheet, drawing paper, string, clear tape, vinyl tape, and glue, and let’s make it.

Line the inside of the empty cheese box with drawing paper to create the base.

Cut the plastic sheet into a circle to make a window.

Choose the colors of the pipe cleaners, cut them to length, and place them inside the cheese box to get ready.

Put a magnet inside a bottle cap, and tape two caps together with vinyl tape so the magnet won’t fall out.

Make a hole in the cap, thread the string through, and create the magnetic part that will move the pipe cleaners.

By holding the magnet against the outside of the cheese box, the pipe cleaners inside gather and move, making it a fun toy to play with!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

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.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Pop in the bath!

@mimita33332
Today's post is 'Pop! in the Bath!'#AtHomePlay #AtHomePlay #StayHomeTime Play ideas #HandmadeToys Simple toy Simple Play #EducationalPlay Educational What do you do on a rainy day?Nursery teacher / Childcare worker Plastic bottle #BathTimePlay #TerribleTwos #HateBaths #OvercomingBathAversion Anpanman #AnpanmanHandmadeToy
♬ So Cute – Audiosphere

Here’s how to make a fun “Bath Pop!” toy that’s sure to make even bath-shy kids smile.

First, cut a plastic bottle in half and use the half with the opening.

Gather one corner of a plastic bag into a rounded tip, then cut off the bag’s handles.

Draw any picture you like on the plastic bag, and firmly tape it to the cut edge of the bottle with vinyl (duct) tape.

Push the plastic bag down into the bottle—now it’s ready.

When you put it in the bath, the plastic bag will pop out with a ‘pop!’ It’s lots of fun.

Try drawing your child’s favorite characters and play together!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

rattle

A rattle that could be called a baby’s very first toy.

Let’s try making one with an Anpanman motif.

Prepare something sturdy like a roll from plastic wrap or poster paper, then wrap it with construction paper or colored tape.

Attach the faces of Anpanman characters to the round openings.

Make the faces out of construction paper, and cover them with clear tape so the paper won’t get damaged and the toy will last longer.

Since the core is hollow, put bells or beads inside.

When a child holds and shakes it, it makes a sound and they’ll have fun!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Sandwich shop

How about making a sandwich toy inspired by Anpanman characters? Try creating baguettes shaped like Anpanman or Shokupanman’s faces, as well as fillings like ham, cheese, and vegetables.

The basic material is felt.

Since the baguette needs thickness, you’ll have to stuff it with cotton and sew it, but I think the other parts can be assembled by gluing them together.

Be sure to make it with your child’s favorite characters and enjoy some pretend play!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem