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 preschoolers to graduating kids! A collection of handmade graduation gift and keepsake ideas (31–40)

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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flower(s)

[Crafts] 3 Flower Projects Perfect as Preschool/Kindergarten Graduation Keepsakes

flower(s)

Flowers are an essential part of celebrations like kindergarten graduation.

Giving real flowers is lovely, but handmade ones are easier to keep and can convey your feelings even more.

There are many variations—using paper cups, origami paper, or yarn—and the materials you choose change the texture and look, which is part of the charm.

It’s fun to think through the possibilities, like how to shape the petals so they spread out, or which colors will make a beautiful flower, because the range of creative options is so wide.

Once the flower is finished, you attach it to a stick; paying extra attention to the decoration there might make it look even more like a real flower.

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Pencil holder as a preschool graduation gift

Many preschools likely prepare gifts from current students to those who are graduating.

In that case, how about incorporating a pencil holder craft as a perfect graduation gift? Use paper tubes, empty snack containers, or paper cups, and create a colorful pencil holder by making a torn-paper collage on the surface.

It’s fun to use a variety of papers—construction paper, origami paper, wrapping paper, and tissue paper—since you can enjoy different textures as you tear them.

Decorate the rim with craft felt balls, attach a message card, and it’s complete!

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randoseru (Japanese elementary school backpack)

A school backpack you can make with a single sheet of origami—surprisingly easy♪

randoseru (Japanese elementary school backpack)

The origami school backpack, which expands the sense of anticipation for a new life, is a perfect project for the spring school entrance season.

First, crease the paper to divide it vertically into four equal sections.

Fold in the quarter-width sections from the top and bottom, then make cuts along the creases to create the flap.

Cut the marked areas to make the shoulder straps.

As you fold the remaining parts, adjust the shape to form the backpack’s silhouette.

For a cute finishing touch, you can add a traffic safety cover.

If the folding steps for shaping the backpack are difficult, work together and consult with friends as you go.

Displaying the completed backpack will express the excitement of starting school.

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Cherry Blossom Medal

https://www.tiktok.com/@sachimama_asobi/video/7349553972010634498

We’d like to introduce a cherry blossom medal that’s perfect for celebratory occasions like kindergarten entrance ceremonies, school entrance ceremonies, and class advancement ceremonies.

Because it involves some complex folding and the use of scissors, it’s a craft best suited for older kindergarteners and elementary school children.

It may look difficult at first, but since there are many repeated steps, kids will likely get the hang of it after folding it a few times.

It makes a lovely gift from teachers, of course, but also as a present made and given by current students.

We also recommend attaching a message card on the back.

Please put your heart into making it!

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