Lovely childcare

For 1-year-olds! Craft ideas recommended for August

9 years of experience as a nursery school teacherShibata Risa
I am an active nursery school teacher with 9 years of experience. After graduating from university, I worked at a daycare center. The time I spent happily with children—playing piano, singing songs, and doing finger-play—are priceless memories to me. Currently, while raising three children of my own, I work at an after-school day service, engaging with children and providing individualized developmental support. Drawing on my diverse experiences as a childcare worker and as a mother, I hope to express and convey my thoughts through writing.

In August, when the truly hot days continue, we tend to spend more time indoors.

If you’re a teacher looking to enjoy summer-themed projects inside the classroom, this is a must-see.

Here are August craft ideas for one-year-olds.

A collection of project ideas that incorporate summer themes like ice cream, shaved ice, fireworks, and sea creatures!

We’re also sharing many activities that use unique techniques to capture the curiosity of one-year-olds, so they’re sure to join in with enthusiasm.

Please use these as a reference.

Because we present ideas that value children’s free and creative expression, we consistently use the term “seisaku” (制作, creation/production) rather than “seisaku” (製作, making/manufacturing) throughout the text.

For 1-year-olds! Recommended Craft Ideas for August (1–10)

Corn with stamps

How about using corn—something kids love—as a summer crafting motif? Both a stamp made with bubble wrap and one made with cardboard are great options.

Prepare the base corn and leaves ahead of time using colored construction paper.

Make one stamp by wrapping a small ball of cotton with bubble wrap and securing it with a rubber band, and another by rolling a strip of cardboard into a coil and taping it.

Use yellow paint as the “ink” for both, and enjoy freely dabbing and stamping away!

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Yo-yo with a marble run

[Summer Wall Art] Tried making yo-yos with marble paint (for 2- and 3-year-olds)

Yo-yo with a marble run

How about making a classic festival “yo-yo” using marble paint? First, cut the construction paper into circles.

For the infant class, teachers should do the cutting; from the preschool class up, let the children cut them themselves.

Next, prepare the paints.

Use a container that can hold several colors, such as a palette or an empty egg carton.

Dip a marble in the paint color of your choice and roll it over the paper circle.

To keep colors from mixing, use a separate marble for each color.

Once the paint is dry, freely stick on round stickers.

Using round stickers of various colors and sizes will make it look much more like a yo-yo.

It’s a perfect craft for summer.

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Tropical Juice with Finger Paint

A colorful tropical drink made with finger painting.

Even a one-year-old can enjoy the cool, smooth feel of the paint—perfect for summer! The key is to mix a little hand soap or body soap into the paint.

It helps the paint spread more easily and makes it simpler to wash off skin afterward.

Prepare vibrant fruit toppings, as well as straws and spoons, to create that exciting “Which one should we use?” feeling!

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For 1-year-olds! Recommended Craft Ideas for August (11–20)

A rainbow fish made with handprints

How about making colorful fish with handprint stamps that will make you feel happy just by looking at them? Paint different colors on the children’s palms to create a rainbow effect.

Then simply press their hands onto drawing paper, cut out a fish shape, and add eyes and a mouth to finish.

If you stick the fish onto a background decorated with light blue raffia (suzuran) tape, you can create an even cooler, breezier atmosphere.

The cool sensation of the paint on their palms will likely boost the kids’ excitement! If painting the hands is difficult, try making an original ink pad using a cleaning cloth (duster) and put it to use!

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Finger-painted ice cream

How about making ice cream art with mess-free finger painting? Put a sheet of drawing paper with paint on it into a zip-top bag, then trace over it from the outside to finger paint! Since clothes won’t get dirty, it lightens the load for parents, too.

Once you’ve created patterns with the paint and let it dry, just cut the paper into ice cream shapes and stick them onto cones.

Imagining the flavors of ice cream with all those mixed colors is half the fun.

Enjoy creating your delicious ice cream art!

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Fireworks with toilet paper rolls

What a lovely idea to make fireworks using toilet paper rolls! It’s perfect for creating summer memories with one-year-olds.

Let’s ask the teachers to make cuts in the roll to create a flower shape.

Then, using colorful paints, you can dab together with the children, and in no time you’ll have beautiful fireworks! The children will surely enjoy the feel of the paint and get absorbed in the activity.

As you admire the finished pieces together, saying things like “It’s so pretty” and “It looks like fireworks,” it will become an even more delightful summer memory.

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A turtle made with tissue paper

Let’s make a cute turtle using a paper plate and tissue paper.

First, tear the tissue paper by hand.

Be sure to prepare a few different colors.

Next, spread glue on the paper plate and stick the torn pieces of tissue paper onto it.

If you layer lots of pieces so they overlap, you can create beautiful patterns.

Once the glue dries, attach the turtle’s head, legs, and tail.

Finally, add the eyes and it’s complete! The turtle’s look will vary depending on how each child handles the tissue paper.

Be sure to share any fun stories from the crafting process with the parents, too.

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