At the End of Preschool Practicum: Simple and Cute Handmade Gifts
As your childcare practicum draws to a close, many of you may be thinking, “I want to give a little present to the children I had such a fun time with.” But during a busy placement, there isn’t much time to carefully decide what to give, is there? So this time, we’re sharing ideas for gifts you can give the children at the end of your practicum.
From message cards and bouquets that convey your feelings directly, to playful toys like spinning tops and pinwheels, and even wearable items like necklaces and rosettes—there are plenty of ideas! Imagine the happy faces of the adorable children and put your heart into making them.
And don’t forget to check with the preschool in advance to make sure it’s okay to give gifts to the children!
At the End of the Nursery Practicum: Simple and Cute Handmade Gifts (1–10)
rosette
A rosette is a decorative item that spreads out in a radiating pattern like a flower.
You can easily make one by sticking masking tape in pleats around the edge of a circle cut from construction paper.
Write a message in the center and it instantly turns into a message card! You can make it so it hangs around the neck like a medal, or attach it to clothing like a patch.
It’s the perfect gift for the end of a practicum when you want to send lots of messages but don’t have time to prepare them all.
A bouquet made with pipe cleaners
Let’s express our gratitude by gifting a mini bouquet made from chenille stems (pipe cleaners).
Fold a stem in half, then fold it into thirds, and flatten it so the looped parts face outward to form a small flower shape.
Thread a round bead onto a green stem, fold it in half, and combine it so the bead sits at the flower’s center; spread out the petal sections to complete the flower.
Wrap a few flowers in a paper doily, tie a ribbon, and present them as a bouquet.
Since the shapes can deform easily, it might be best to place the bouquet in a small paper bag along with a short message before giving it.
keychain
Let’s try making handmade keychains that can be attached to preschool bags! You can choose parts that spark kids’ interest, like origami pieces with a push-up feature they can poke and pop, or stylish ones made by threading a few sparkly beads onto a string.
You can make the keychain components with thread, or if you want something sturdier, using parts from the dollar store is also recommended.
Just imagining the kids attaching them to their bags is enough to bring a little tear to your eye.
spinning top
For those who want to give something practical, toys like spinning tops that kids can easily pick up and play with are recommended! You can combine origami parts or use items like plastic bottles, paper plates, or CDs to make tops of various shapes and sizes.
If you give these as gifts, the children will likely enjoy playing together even after the practicum ends.
While beautifully decorative gifts are certainly lovely, simple toys that are easy to play with may be more appreciated by young children.
Choose the gift content to match the age group you were in charge of.
necklace
Necklaces made from familiar materials like straws and aluminum foil are also great as farewell gifts! If you attach colorful straws or aluminum foil colored with markers to yarn to make a necklace, you’ll have a glamorous present.
Kids who are interested in fashion or love pretend play will be especially delighted.
However, since some children aren’t interested in accessories, it’s a good idea to make adjustments so everyone can enjoy the gift—for example, letting them choose between a medal or a necklace.
amulet
Even after your childcare practicum ends, how about giving the children a protective charm as a way of saying it will keep watching over them in your place? It would be wonderful if they kept it with them all the time! Using origami, you can make a charm with simple steps.
Add a little bell to the cord or draw a favorite character, and it’s sure to capture the kids’ interest even more! For children who can read hiragana, writing a message on the charm could make it even more memorable.
Message Medal
https://www.instagram.com/p/Ce3XqU2hSeW/During a practicum packed with a tight schedule, you’re busy nonstop! Even if you want to write a message card for each person, you might not have enough time to prepare.
In that case, how about giving an origami medal with a “Thank you” message attached? If you fold it with care while thinking of each child’s face, your feelings will surely come across.
Any gratitude you couldn’t put into words can be conveyed directly as you hand over the medal.
Punch a hole, thread a string through it, and present it as a necklace—highly recommended!
bracelet
A crown-shaped bracelet made from origami.
The method is very simple: fold and cut the origami, connect the pieces, and when it’s long enough to fit around the children’s wrists, join the ends into a loop.
Choose the perfect patterns while picturing the children’s faces as you make them.
If the kids like origami or crafts, they might want to learn how to make it after receiving this lovely gift from their teacher.
In that case, making one together at the end as a farewell activity could become a wonderful memory.
Medal-shaped message card
https://www.instagram.com/p/Blk952mhOlH/There are probably quite a few people who have tried their best at races or games to win a medal.
On the day of farewell, if you present a medal to each child while expressing your gratitude, their eyes will surely sparkle at this special gift.
The classic gold medal shape is of course nice, but a medal-shaped message card featuring their favorite character will draw even more interest.
Give medals with beloved characters—Minnie for girls, Mickey for boys, and others everyone knows—and enjoy a wonderful farewell time together.
paper puppet theater
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bj42M54H3RE/A “paper puppet” (peep-show puppet) is a paper doll made by drawing pictures on two sheets of paper, sandwiching a stick between them, and gluing them back-to-back.
By changing the pictures on the front and back, you can flip it over to transform the character or dramatically change its expression.
If you made some during your practicum, it’s a great idea to give the whole set as a gift to the class.
Laminating them can help keep them in good condition for long-term use.
It would be wonderful if, every time they put on a puppet show and play with them, it reminds them even a little of the time you spent together.