Lovely handmade crafts

From current students to graduates! A collection of handmade graduation gift and keepsake ideas

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.
20 years of experience as a nursery teacher / kindergarten teacherhiyoko sensei
I’m Hiyoko-sensei, a former nursery school teacher from Hyogo Prefecture. Ever since I was five, my dream was to become a childcare worker, and before I knew it, 20 years had passed since I achieved that dream. Through singing and playing with the children, I kept working with the spirit of someone in their twenties, even as I increasingly felt my physical limits year by year (haha). From here on, I’d like to share helpful information carefully and thoughtfully, drawing on my on-site experience.

As graduation season approaches, many people start thinking, “We want to give heartfelt gifts from the current students to the graduating class.” If possible, you’d love to deliver something special that the children make with their own hands.

In this article, we introduce handmade gift ideas you can create using familiar materials like milk cartons and origami paper.

We’ve gathered a wide range—from easy projects to slightly more elaborate designs—so choose the ones that suit the children’s ages and your school’s policies!

From Current Students to Graduates: A Collection of Handmade Graduation Gifts and Keepsake Ideas (21–30)

Handmade stickers

How to make simple stickers!

Handmade stickers

Among the graduates, there may be people who collect various kinds of stickers.

How about giving them handmade stickers that they can add to their collection? Stick one side of double-sided tape onto a piece of parchment paper, then attach an illustration or other design to the other side.

Cover the surface with clear tape to seal it, and cut it out according to the design to complete your handmade sticker.

You can make stickers from all kinds of things, such as hand-drawn illustrations or magazine clippings, so think of something that suits the person you’re giving it to.

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Mini basket bouquet gift

I tried making this with my 5-year-old! ❣️ [Super easy! 100-yen shop materials] Perfect for graduations, preschool graduations, or a friend’s birthday 📛 The mini basket bouquet 💐 is just too cute 💖 #flowerbouquet #howto #dollarstore #gift

Mini basket bouquet gift

Mini basket bouquets are made using a plastic bottle cap as the base.

Decorate the sides of the basket by wrapping thread or yarn around them, then attach a braided thread as the handle.

Fill the inside of the basket with cotton, sprinkle glitter, and glue on beads.

Add a ribbon to the side of the basket, and it’s done.

By changing the colors of the thread and glitter and the types of beads, you can create a wide variety of mini basket bouquets.

They’re easy to carry and make great items for room decor.

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Origami backpack (randoseru)

Make it with your child ♪ [Easy and lovely gift] Perfect for a school entrance celebration, too 💝 #graduation #schoolentrance #gift #handmade

Origami backpack (randoseru)

As a gift for kindergarten graduates, how about making a school backpack (randoseru) out of origami? You’ll create it in parts: the main box (body), the flap, and the shoulder straps.

The body is folded almost the same way as the traditional “yakko-san,” so if you can do the zabuton fold, you should be able to make it.

Make two versions with slight variations and combine them to form a box shape.

For the flap, cut a sheet of origami paper in half, fold the left and right edges to meet at the center, then fold the two bottom corners into triangles—that’s it.

For the shoulder straps, prepare two long, narrow strips made from origami paper.

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So cute! Herbarium

First time! Trying herbarium crafts with kids❣️ [Super easy! All from the 100-yen shop] Perfect for graduations, preschool graduations, or a friend’s birthday 📛 #gift #handmade #100yenShop #easy

So cute! Herbarium

Herbariums are popular as interior decor.

They’re easy to make—just put parts and oil into a container you like and close the lid—so they’re great for kids’ crafts.

First, cut a clear sheet to fit inside the container and stick on any stickers you like.

Place it in the container, then add the flowers.

Adjust the positions of the sheet and flowers to design the look, and then pour in the oil.

Finish by decorating the container, and you’re done! Try changing the parts and decorations you use to create different kinds of herbariums.

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Candy bouquet gift

Easy low-budget candy bouquet: graduation and preschool graduation gifts. Items from Seria and Daiso. Wrapping Sumikko Gurashi popcorn, Goen chocolate, and konjac jelly. How to make a candy bouquet.

Candy bouquet gift

When it comes to gifts that make kids happy, sweets are a sure bet.

But just handing them over as they are can feel a little underwhelming, don’t you think? How about making a candy bouquet instead? Put the candies into a clear bag so they end up upside down, and insert a straw in the center.

Fold the bag’s corners into triangles and secure them with tape, then gather the bag tightly and tie a ribbon to finish.

If you decorate the bag with flowers or lace, it becomes an even cuter present.

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