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 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.
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 kindergarteners to graduates! A collection of handmade graduation gift and keepsake ideas (41–50)

pen holder

[Creative Play] Easy with Paper Clay! Gift Craft: Stylish Pen Holder

pen holder

A pen holder is a recommended gift that they can keep using even after starting elementary school.

If it’s handmade, all the more reason—they’ll surely treasure it! A pen holder made from paper clay has a nice weight and sits well on a study desk.

Brush glue onto an empty jar and wrap it with jute twine.

Wrapping the twine helps the paper clay stay in place.

After applying the paper clay to the outside, try decorating it with marbles, rhinestones, or stickers! Since you won’t be using scissors or a cutter, even small children can make it.

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small accessory case

Handmade craft: a paper clay PET bottle accessory holder

small accessory case

A versatile little container that can be used in many ways.

Having one on your desk is surprisingly handy, so it makes a perfect gift for preschool graduates, too.

Here’s a small container made with paper clay that even young children can easily craft cutely.

Use the bottom part of a cut plastic bottle.

Twist two pipe cleaners together, thread them through the bottle, and make a handle.

Attach paper clay to the container.

Mixing paint into the paper clay will give you a colorful finish! It also looks cute if you decorate it with your favorite beads, seashells, or game counters.

Since it has a handle, it’s easy to carry around.

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cloth-wrapped hanger

Wire hanger remake: how to make a fabric-wrapped hanger

cloth-wrapped hanger

Not only is it fun to wear your favorite clothes, it’s also enjoyable to simply gaze at them hanging on a hanger.

So why not brighten up your hangers to make that viewing time even more delightful? It’s a simple project using a wire hanger as the base and wrapping fabric around it so there are no gaps.

Be careful to wrap evenly—if you do it carelessly, the thickness will end up uneven.

It’s also easy to get creative: use multiple fabrics to add color variation, attach a sturdy tag-like accent, and more.

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In conclusion

We introduced ideas for handmade gifts to give to kindergarten graduates. From small accessory trays and pen holders made with milk cartons to origami flower bouquets, these are all projects that current students can enjoy making. By getting creative with materials and colors, you can create a one-of-a-kind gift. A present made with heartfelt care will surely become an irreplaceable treasure for friends who are graduating.