Simple yet amazing crafts: craft ideas that elementary school students will want to make

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.
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

“I don’t have much time for crafts…” “But I want to make something that will amaze everyone when it’s done!” If that sounds like you, you’re not alone.

In this article, we’re sharing craft ideas with simple steps that still make you say “Wow!” when they’re finished—featuring clever mechanisms and magical effects.

From moving toys to piggy banks where coins disappear, these are fun, play-with-after-you-make-it projects.

They’re easy to try with everyday materials, so go find your favorite and give it a go!

Moving! Fun Toy Craft Ideas You Can Play With (121–130)

Crafts to enjoy with 100-yen store hacks

@n.annlee321
100-yen store DIY/arrangement ☺️✨Summer Vacation Craft #HandmadeToys Parenting #100-yen shop DIY
♬ Utopia – imase

Let’s customize some 100-yen shop items to make a cream soda stand.

For the base, use a flower vase.

Since the top is rounded, apply white masking tape there to represent the ice cream.

For the soda part, attach green iridescent origami paper and add round stickers to mimic bubbles.

Thread a craft pipe through a pom-pom to make a cherry, and stick it onto the base to finish.

You can use it to hold pens or clip memos.

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Lots of soap bubbles with DIY

@sachimama_asobi
How about going all out with bubble play this summer? 🫧 Regular bubbles are fun, but since it’s summer, if you’re thinking, “I want to play with a huge amount of bubbles!” give this a try—it's super easy to make! You’ll need: 8–9 straws, a 500 ml plastic bottle, double-sided tape, chopsticks, and bubble solution. You’ll also use a utility knife, scissors, and glue, so if small children are helping, please work together with an adult. How to make it: 1) Cut the straws into pieces about 1.5 cm wide. 2) Line up the cut straw pieces on double-sided tape to make a strip about 50 cm long. (I used 8–9 straws to reach 50 cm.) 3) Stick another layer of double-sided tape on top of the lined-up straws. 4) Roll the straws into a circle. 5) Slice the plastic bottle into a ring. (Personally, I recommend the “I LOHAS” bottle—it’s soft and easy to cut.) 6) Insert the rolled straws into the bottle ring. (If there are gaps, add more straw pieces to adjust. If the double-sided tape around the straws holds them in place, that’s fine; if it’s loose, secure with glue.) 7) Use a utility knife or awl to make a hole in the edge of the bottle ring, insert a chopstick there, and secure it with glue. 8) Pour bubble solution into a shallow dish, dip, and blow! You’ll get way more bubbles than usual, and it’s super fun! 🥰 It’s really easy, so save this and give it a try! +———————————————+ I’m Sachi, a mom of three rambunctious boys (ages 7, 5, and 1). I share play ideas and simple crafts with kids using 100-yen items, natural materials, and recyclables. Feel free to like, follow, or DM! +———————————————+#AtHomePlay　#AtHomePlay work　#Summer Craft　Summer activities Play with children #I love crafts　Handmade　 Childcare　sea　Summer　Straw　Straw craft Origami Summer Flowers　#Summer Sea playing outside　origami　 #origami Soap bubbles　Soap bubble #bubble #Soapbubble Soap bubble play　Summer activities Plastic bottle　Plastic bottle crafts
♬ Utopia – imase

Let’s have fun making soap bubbles using short-cut straws! First, cut a long strip of double-sided tape and line up the straws, sticking them onto it.

Apply double-sided tape to the other side as well, then roll the straws up tightly from the edge into a spiral and secure it.

Glue on a ring cut from a plastic bottle to serve as a frame, and attach a stick as a handle to finish.

Dip it in bubble solution and blow.

Bubbles will come out from each straw, creating a beautiful effect, and lots come out at once, so even small children can enjoy it.

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An ehou-maki that makes you want to take a big bite

https://www.tiktok.com/@n.annlee321/video/7462282645934853383

You can even use it for pretend play! Why not try making an ehomaki that looks so real you’ll want to eat it? It’s super cute and looks just like the real thing! Cut a pool noodle and wrap black felt around the sides.

Take two circles of thick paper, glue white yarn onto them in a spiral to represent white rice, and attach them to the top and bottom of the pool noodle.

Then use felt and beads to make tuna, salmon, cucumber, salmon roe, and more.

Stick them on top of the “rice,” and you’re done!

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Cute beaded candy craft

https://www.tiktok.com/@n.annlee321/video/7121670118043667714

Let’s make cute candies using your favorite beads! Cut the soft case into your preferred shape, fold it in half, then use a hair iron to apply heat and seal the edges to make a little pouch.

Fill it with beads and seal the opening.

Stick masking tape on both ends of the candy, trim it with a zigzag cut, and you’re done.

Try using different beads to create various kinds of candies.

If you make the bag for holding the candies the same way, it’ll look extra cute and really stand out.

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Moving! Playable and Fun Toy Craft Ideas (131–140)

Cute dagashi box

@n.annlee321
Sparkly and jingly/shaky 🥰dagashi (cheap, nostalgic Japanese snacks and candies)#Upcycling Yes, za #100-yen shop DIY Parenting Childcare work
♬ Cute heartwarming BGM(1490583) – sanusagi

Here’s a cute craft idea for making an eyeshadow palette using an empty candy case.

If you’re interested in makeup but it’s still a bit early to try it for real, make this and enjoy the mood! You’ll need a clear plastic sheet, sequins, masking tape, and iridescent film.

Put sequins into the case lid, then attach a piece of the clear sheet cut to the same size and seal the edges with masking tape.

Stick pieces of iridescent film where the candies used to be to mimic eyeshadow pans, make a brush from a straw and a chenille stem, and you’re done!

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Pudding charm

@n.annlee321
They have that cup at the 100-yen shop 🤤💕#100-yen shop DIY #100-yen-shop Daiso #DaisoPurchases #HandmadeToys #Summer Vacation Summer Vacation Craft Childcare translation
♬ Lilac – Mrs. GREEN APPLE

Everyone loves it! Let’s make a pudding charm inspired by that beloved treat.

For the base, use a clear cup for sweets deco from a 100-yen shop.

Mix brown paint into glue to mimic caramel and spread it on the bottom of the case, then pack in yellow yarn.

Draw the package design on thick paper, cut it into a circle, and attach it to the case.

Punch a hole and thread through charm hardware to finish.

You can also substitute brown yarn for the caramel section.

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Handmade star wand

@n.annlee321
Replying to @miukanon0101 Star wand ☺️✨#tiktok classroom #StayHomeTime Life with children Tanabata #Summer Vacation
Shuwa-shuwa Honey Lemon 350ml – Sharou

Many girls probably love wands, don’t they? You often see them in anime with magical-girl themes.

This time, I’ll introduce an idea for making a simple wand.

Thread ten 2 cm pieces of straw and five beads alternately onto a 30 cm chenille stem (pipe cleaner), then shape it into a star.

Twist the two ends of the stem together to secure it, trim any excess, then take a 15 cm chenille stem folded in half, hook it onto the star, and twist it into a single rod.

Slide on a straw and glue it in place to finish.

It might also look cute decorated with washi tape, etc.

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