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 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.
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)

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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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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sasashina

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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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sasashina

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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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sasashina

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Craft ideas made with origami and a shredder

@n.annlee321
The shredder was a fun crafting tool ☺️🙌 This is a piece my son made 😁 More details in the comments →#tiktok classroom Life with children #StayHomeTime
♬ Nerd Strut (Instrumental) – Gen Hoshino

Let’s use the shredding function that cuts paper into fine strips to create various shapes.

We’ll use a hand-crank shredder, and by controlling where you stop shredding and other small tricks, you can make different parts and combine them.

Food motifs are an easy example: if you insert long, thin strips sideways and shred them even finer, they can look like a coating or breading; roll up long, thin strips and they’ll resemble shredded cabbage.

By layering parts and experimenting with how you bend them, you can also add a sense of three-dimensionality.

Think carefully about how to reproduce what you want to make.

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kappamaki