Lovely handmade crafts

Let's make and play with kids! A collection of handmade yo-yo 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.

When it comes to festivals, water yo-yos are always a big hit with kids, aren’t they?

The way to play is simple: loop the rubber band around your finger and bounce it with your palm open, though it might be a little tricky at first.

But once you get used to it, it becomes a lot of fun.

Here, we’ll share handmade yo-yo ideas you can make using various materials.

There are options that even small children can make, as well as ideas that look cute as decorations.

Everything can be enjoyed indoors, so try crafting them with a bit of creativity any time of year.

Let's make and play with kids! Handmade Yo-yo Idea Collection (1–10)

Yo-yo made with bubble wrap

[Summer Crafts] Blow Painting with Straws & Bubble Wrap Yo-Yo Making! Also great for summer festivals—July/August Wall Decorations [Nursery/Kindergarten]

Yo-yo made with bubble wrap

Here’s how to make a cute handmade yo-yo using bubble wrap! You’ll need: construction paper cut into a yo-yo shape, bubble wrap, a permanent marker, double-sided tape, a rubber band, and cellophane tape.

First, cut the bubble wrap to match the round part of the yo-yo.

On the flat side, draw a picture with the permanent marker.

Color in the bubble wrap circle; you don’t have to color it all—drawing designs is fun too.

Put double-sided tape on the flat side of the bubble wrap and stick it onto the yo-yo construction paper.

Finally, attach a rubber band to the tip of the yo-yo with cellophane tape, and you’re done! Light colors for the yo-yo make the colors of the bubble wrap look nicer.

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glove yo-yo

[Glove Puppet] "Yo-Yo" (How to Make)

glove yo-yo

Here’s how to make a cute homemade yo-yo using gloves! You’ll need a glove and about four rubber bands.

First, link the four rubber bands together.

Hook the rubber bands onto the ring finger of the glove and tie them to the index finger.

Next, turn the glove inside out so the rubber bands stick out.

Turn the other glove inside out as well, then place the glove with the rubber bands into the other inside-out glove, with the rubber bands facing out.

Shape it into a round yo-yo, and you’re done! It’s also cute to decorate it with googly-eye stickers or felt according to your child’s age—highly recommended.

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Milk Carton Yo-Yo

Easy Craft! How to Make a Milk Carton Yo-Yo [Plus the Skills Kids Develop Through Play]

Milk Carton Yo-Yo

Make it with a milk carton! Here’s a fun way to make a yo-yo with kids.

Materials: a milk carton, two rubber bands, stickers or other decorations, and cloth tape.

First, cut open the milk carton and lay it flat, then decorate it with stickers.

Staple it so it forms a circle.

Next, tie the rubber bands together and attach them to the milk carton with cloth tape.

Make a small slit to insert the rubber band.

Since staples can be sharp, cover them with cloth tape just to be safe.

And you’re done!

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Let's make and play with kids! Handmade Yo-Yo Ideas (11–20)

paper yo-yo

How to Make a Paper Yo-Yo!!! [First Post] #EasyCrafts #PaperYoYo

paper yo-yo

Here’s how to make a fun paper yo-yo! You’ll need a straw, a wooden skewer (waribashi/chopstick), wrapping paper, thick paper (cardstock), vinyl tape, cellophane tape, and a rubber band.

First, roll the straw to a thickness that fits the skewer and secure it with cellophane tape.

Thread the skewer through the straw and secure it with vinyl tape.

Cut the wrapping paper to about 15 cm long and 150 cm wide.

Tape one end of the wrapping paper to the straw, roll it up, and use a rubber band to shape it.

Next, use vinyl tape to trace a template onto the thick paper and cut a hole in the center large enough for the skewer to pass through.

Insert the skewer and wrap vinyl tape around it until it’s thick enough that the thick paper won’t come off.

Cut the vinyl tape so that about one-third remains, and while spreading the thick paper, stick it down.

You’re done!

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A jumbo yo-yo made from a paper carton and rubber bands

Jumbo yo-yo

A jumbo yo-yo made from a paper carton and rubber bands

Have you heard of the jumbo yo-yo that’s a bit different from an ordinary yo-yo? When you think of traditional yo-yos, you probably imagine water balloons made by inflating a balloon and filling it with water.

This time, we’re introducing an innovative yo-yo made using a paper carton.

It can be made with paper cartons, rubber bands, a stapler, and the like, so it doesn’t cost much.

Just cut the paper carton to the desired size and staple it together, and it’s finished in no time.

It’s also great for kids, as it completely changes their image of a yo-yo and helps foster creativity.

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Water-based marker bleed-art yo-yo

https://www.tiktok.com/@chooobo2/video/7377337830739086593

Let’s complete a classic festival water yo-yo with a stylish bleeding watercolor design.

Bleeding watercolor is recommended because simply applying color to wet paper creates soft pastel tones.

It also nurtures children’s imagination and offers a rich experience of color.

Water yo-yos are easy to make and fun to play with, which is great.

Even children who aren’t confident with crafts can make them easily, so it’s a good activity to try.

In addition, the fine motor work involved in bleeding watercolor can have a positive effect on hand development.

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A yo-yo made by collecting nuts

Let's make a yo-yo by collecting acorns, nuts, and more!

A yo-yo made by collecting nuts

When you think of classic retro games, yoyos probably come to mind.

They’re loved by people of all ages, from adults to children.

You’ll often see kids playing yoyo fishing at night stalls.

Let’s try making a yoyo using acorns and nuts.

First, prepare a bowl-shaped cup.

Then draw your favorite design and simply place the nut inside—before you know it, it’s done! It’s super easy to make, so it’s very popular with kids.

Let’s all have fun making them together.

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