[Childcare] Simple DIY ideas you can use for pretend shops

ice cream

[Ice Cream Making] Let's Play Shop! Make Sweet Hair Accessories [Daycare/Kindergarten]

Playing pretend ice cream shop is a classic, isn’t it? Here’s an easy way to make pretend ice cream.

First, make a palm-sized ball out of newspaper.

Next, prepare origami paper in the same color as the ice cream flavor you want to recreate.

Then simply wrap the newspaper ball with the origami paper to finish.

However, that alone looks a bit plain, so it’s nice to decorate it by using beads as toppings.

To secure everything, just attach it with cellophane tape or similar.

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bread

“Playing Bakery” [Ages 0–2] | Gakuenchō Yūiku-en [Nursery/Kindergarten Event]

Playing pretend as a baker is a popular role, isn’t it? This time, here are bread craft ideas that kids can enjoy by age.

For 0-year-olds, crumple origami paper to make fillings like lettuce.

For 1-year-olds, use paper clay to make the bread itself.

For 2-year-olds, make the bread and add patterns or decorations.

When you display the items, it’s fun to set them up buffet-style so kids can place lettuce and other toppings on the bread.

You can also get creative and make baguettes or croissants.

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newspaper bag

[How to Make] How to Make a Newspaper Bag

For playing shop, you’ll also need a bag to put your purchases in.

You can use a reusable bag as a substitute, but making one by hand will make it feel more special.

All you need are newspaper and raffia ribbon (suzuran tape).

First, fold the newspaper into a bag shape.

Glue the folded parts so they don’t come undone.

Next, attach handles with the raffia ribbon, and you’re done.

This is strong enough as is, but if you want it to be sturdier, try layering two sheets of newspaper.

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Colorful cotton candy

[Origami × Crafts] Perfect for pretend shop play! Make fluffy, colorful cotton candy / pretend store wataame

How about recreating a classic festival staple—a cotton candy stall? The method is simple: put cotton into a bag and insert a stick.

If you like, adding color to the cotton makes it even more fun.

Using a water-based marker will make coloring easier.

By the way, this cotton candy craft is perfect for kids who don’t usually show interest in crafts, because the unfamiliar texture of the cotton tends to spark their curiosity.

Give it a try!

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cake

Anyone can make it! An easy pretend-play cake! Upcycle your leftover puzzle mat♪ Additional notes in the comments. #remake #crafts #handmadetoys

In surveys about children’s future dreams, running a cake shop always ranks near the top.

It’s an essential role in make-believe store play, isn’t it? So here’s a simple cake craft you can try.

First, prepare a puzzle mat.

Cut it to your preferred size, then stack about three pieces.

This should make it look like the sponge part of a cake.

Next, make strawberries out of origami and place them on top.

Of course, you can also decorate with chocolate or cookies.

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train

Easy and affordable! DIY a connectable plastic-bottle train

A craft that remains popular even after playing pretend shop is making trains.

This idea involves decorating plastic bottles with vinyl tape to make them look like trains.

Try selling them at a toy store or a model shop.

By the way, if you attach magnets to the front and back of the second car and onward, you can couple them together and play.

Buying a bunch and linking them would be a lot of fun.

One note of caution: the cut edges of plastic bottles can be sharp, so be careful not to cut your hands.

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wallet

Wallet Origami That Even Kids Can Make Easily [Simple Origami Lesson]

To make pretend shopping even more enjoyable, it’s a good idea to craft a wallet in advance.

You can make one just by folding origami, so you’ll be fine even if you need to prepare it at the last minute.

If you care about the design, use patterned origami paper or decorate it later with stickers.

You could also coordinate the color with your shopping bag, which is a lovely touch.

Depending on how you fold it, you can adapt it into a clasp purse or a long wallet.

Choose the shape based on the play money you’ll use and your preferences.

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