Lovely handmade crafts

Let's Make and Play! A Collection of Homemade Kendama 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.

Traditional kendama play is still loved by many people today.

Why not try making your own kendama using everyday items?

We’ve gathered materials like paper cups, plastic bottles, and newspaper—perfect for kids to enjoy making while they craft!

Making a kendama involves cutting, gluing, and rolling—fun sensory activities in themselves.

And of course, once you’ve made it, have fun playing with it!

The difficulty of a kendama changes with the length of the string, so try adjusting and customizing it to suit the children’s ages.

Let’s Make and Play! A Collection of Handmade Kendama Ideas (11–20)

Rifle-style chopstick rubber band gun

An insanely cool rubber band gun!! [Rifle type]

Rifle-style chopstick rubber band gun

This is a chopstick gun assembled into a shape like a rifle, clearly conveying a strong, powerful image.

Each part is made by aligning chopsticks and gluing them together, then assembling pieces of different lengths and widths into a rifle form.

The rubber band firing mechanism is simple: a rubber band hooked at the front is released by moving the trigger.

Because of that simplicity, the visual impression of strength depends on how much heft and presence you can express in other aspects.

You can showcase individuality by either making the most of the chopstick material itself or by adding solid decorative elements.

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How to make a paper-cup kendama

[Craft Play 073] How to Make a Paper Cup Kendama

How to make a paper-cup kendama

This is a paper-cup kendama made with a paper cup and plastic bottle caps.

First, poke a hole in the center of the bottom of the paper cup and thread a 60 cm piece of yarn through it.

Be careful not to hurt yourself when making the hole.

Tie a knot at the end of the yarn so it won’t slip out, and secure it to the outside bottom with cloth tape.

Tie a knot in the other end of the yarn as well, place it between two plastic bottle caps facing each other, and fasten them together with cloth tape.

That’s all it takes to complete the main body! After that, customize it with stickers or markers in any design you like.

It’s great because even kids who struggle with a real kendama can have fun and play together!

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In conclusion

Kendama play uses your whole body more than you might expect.

When children are small, choose light materials; as they grow older, they can also enjoy the making process and try various materials—have fun with kendama using age-appropriate materials.

Kids will get really into it if you compete by number of tries or by time, too! It’s also recommended to make kendamas in various designs that match the season.