Lovely childcare

[July] Recommended for 1-year-olds! Fun summer craft 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.
9 years of experience as a nursery school teacherShibata Risa
I am an active nursery school teacher with 9 years of experience. After graduating from university, I worked at a daycare center. The time I spent happily with children—playing piano, singing songs, and doing finger-play—are priceless memories to me. Currently, while raising three children of my own, I work at an after-school day service, engaging with children and providing individualized developmental support. Drawing on my diverse experiences as a childcare worker and as a mother, I hope to express and convey my thoughts through writing.

One-year-olds whose desire to “I want to try it!” is growing stronger by the day.

Here, we’re sharing July ideas packed with clever twists that will get children excited to dive in.

Each activity lets kids express themselves freely, so they can enjoy creating.

Use these as a reference and try incorporating them into your childcare.

As we emphasize activities where children can freely enjoy expressing themselves, we consistently use the term “seisaku” written as 制作 rather than 製作 in the text.

[July] Recommended for 1-year-olds! Fun Summer Craft Ideas (11–20)

scribble shaved ice

When it comes to drawing methods for children around ages 1 to 2, scribbling is the go-to.

This activity uses that scribbling to make shaved ice art.

First, have the children freely scribble with crayons on white construction paper.

Any colors and any number of colors are fine.

Cut the paper into the shape of ice, then stick it onto a bowl made from another sheet of construction paper to complete the shaved ice! The feel of the shaved ice changes depending on which part of the paper you cut out, so try to find the best section.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Ice cream with bleeding painting technique

A magical wall decoration idea using coffee filters and water-based markers! Draw pictures on plain filters with ordinary water-based markers.

Then, when you trace over them with a brush dipped in water—like magic—the ink bleeds into a beautiful gradient! Cut the colored filters into circles, make the cone part as well, and you’ll have a finished bleeding-art ice cream decoration.

It’s exciting to see the kids’ drawings bleed and find out what color combinations their ice cream will turn into!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Shaved ice stamping with sponges and bubble wrap

This is a shaved ice craft where you add color with stamps to ice made from construction paper.

If the teacher prepares the shaved ice and the bowl, the children only need to stamp, so even infants can enjoy it.

Using various materials for the stamps—such as sponges or bubble wrap—lets kids appreciate different shapes and textures.

Prepare several paint colors and let the children choose their favorites.

After making them, they’ll also be perfect as wall decorations in the classroom.

Give it a try!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

[Tissue Paper] Wind Chime Decoration

Craft: “Flower Wind Chimes” [Ages 0+] [How to Make] [Childcare] [July] [August]

[Tissue Paper] Wind Chime Decoration

Let’s make colorful, fluffy wind chimes using tissue paper.

As preparation, cut a clear file folder into the shape of a wind chime.

Apply double-sided tape to the wind chime you made; using transparent double-sided tape will give a neat finish.

Have the children crumple the tissue paper and stick it onto the wind chime.

If you prepare several colors of tissue paper and cover the surface with them, it will look vibrant.

Cut patterned origami into rectangular strips, punch a hole, and thread twine through it.

Combine it with the wind chime, and it’s complete!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Making yo-yos with crayons and stickers

Indoor play for ages 0–1: Sticker activity, at-home play, summer craft—making water yo-yos, and crayon play

Making yo-yos with crayons and stickers

How about making cute yoyos using crayons and stickers? Prepare construction paper pre-cut into yoyo shapes, and have your child add patterns to the yoyos.

If you paste the yoyo-shaped pieces onto another sheet of paper, you won’t have to worry about crayon marks going outside the lines.

Let your child draw lines and patterns with crayons and add stickers however they like.

If your child isn’t yet used to crayons, it’s a good idea to first show them how to use them before starting.

Give it a try as a fun summer craft activity!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Peta Peta Ice Candy

Let’s have children aged 0–1 try making ice cream toppings! Please prepare not only the base items—ice cream scoops, cones, and sticks—but also the materials for the toppings.

Recommended topping materials include small pieces of origami, various shapes made with craft punches, stickers, and felt balls.

Encourage the children to freely stick these on and enjoy decorating their ice cream.

Try making a one-of-a-kind, cute, and delicious ice cream!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

[July] Recommended for 1-year-olds! Fun Summer Craft Ideas (21–30)

A rainbow fish made with handprints

How about making colorful fish with handprint stamps that will make you feel happy just by looking at them? Paint different colors on the children’s palms to create a rainbow effect.

Then simply press their hands onto drawing paper, cut out a fish shape, and add eyes and a mouth to finish.

If you stick the fish onto a background decorated with light blue raffia (suzuran) tape, you can create an even cooler, breezier atmosphere.

The cool sensation of the paint on their palms will likely boost the kids’ excitement! If painting the hands is difficult, try making an original ink pad using a cleaning cloth (duster) and put it to use!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem