Lovely childcare

Craft ideas perfect for June for 2-year-olds

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.
Nursery Teacher Mom Writertsukada moe
After working for five years at an after-school childcare club and three years at a nursery school, I began working as a freelance writer. I’m a mother of two children. Inspired by playing the flute in the school wind ensemble in elementary school, I joined a jazz club at university. I’ve also incorporated ukulele and piano performance into childcare. Playing, laughing, feeling sad, feeling frustrated—through all kinds of experiences, I want children to grow.

June brings a lot of rain, and in daycare and kindergartens there are many days when children can’t play outside.

At times like that, how about enjoying some indoor craft activities? Craft time lets children feel a sense of “I did it!”, making it perfect for indoor play.

Here, we’ll introduce several craft ideas recommended for two-year-olds.

There are plenty of fun activities like touching with their hands and coloring.

Through making things, children’s creativity and sense of accomplishment are nurtured.

Let’s treasure what the children create as everyone’s artwork.

Since the things children make are treated as works (art pieces), we use the term “seisaku” (制作) in the text.

[For 2-year-olds] A roundup of craft ideas perfect for June (1–10)

[Paper Plates] Colorful Umbrella Decorations

[Nursery/Kindergarten] Umbrella Craft Ideas ♪ Cute Hanging Decorations! [Rainy Season & June Crafts/How-To]

[Paper Plates] Colorful Umbrella Decorations

Let’s make a cute umbrella using a paper plate.

First, decorate the paper plate with paint, pens, stickers, or anything you like.

Once you’re done, cut the paper plate in half.

A straight cut is fine, but wavy or zigzag edges make it even cuter.

After cutting, roll each half into an umbrella shape and glue or tape it in place.

Thread a pipe cleaner through the hole that forms when you roll it, then bend it to make the handle—and you’re done! You can make two umbrellas from one paper plate, so why not make several and turn them into a garland or hanging decorations?

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[Paper plate] Mini-mini Umbrella Decoration

Rainy Season Craft: How to Make a Simple Mini Umbrella with a Paper Plate

[Paper plate] Mini-mini Umbrella Decoration

Here’s an idea for making an umbrella out of a paper plate.

Draw lines to divide the plate into eight equal sections, then cut the plate in half.

Fold along the lines to make mountain folds, form a square pyramid, and secure it with clear tape.

An adult should handle these steps.

Have the children decorate the umbrella part with stickers or drawings.

Finally, thread a pipe cleaner through, curve it to make the handle, and it’s done.

You can hang it as is, or hook the handle to display it like a garland—it looks really cute either way.

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[Dyed Paper] Teru Teru Bozu

[Nursery Craft] Introducing Teru-Teru Bozu crafts made by childcare workers. Blow away the rainy season! We’ll share tips and methods for having fun making them together with children.

[Dyed Paper] Teru Teru Bozu

Let’s make a teru teru bozu—a charm hung to wish for clear skies—using a paper-dyeing technique.

First, crumple newspaper into a ball.

Place a sheet of washi (rice paper) over it and secure it with a rubber band.

Be sure to face the rough back side of the washi outward.

Dissolve watercolor paint in water and dip the hem (skirt) area of the teru teru bozu.

Once it’s dry, stick on eye, mouth, and nose stickers, and tie a ribbon around the neck to finish.

Attach a thread to the head so you can hang it—please display it by the window.

The facial expression will change depending on where you place each part.

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[2-Year-Olds] A Roundup of Perfect June Craft Ideas (11–20)

Crumpled tissue-paper snail

[Nursery/Kindergarten] June Craft Perfect for the Rainy Season! How to Make a Snail [Toddler/Infant Class]

Crumpled tissue-paper snail

Would you like to make a snail—often seen in June—using tissue paper? Have the children crumple tissue paper in their favorite colors and pack it into a bag.

Once it’s filled, close the bag and shape it into a shell using tape.

Please make sure an adult handles tying the bag or securing it with tape.

Cut the snail’s body and eyes out of construction paper, attach the bag, and you’re done! Using several colors of tissue paper makes it nice and colorful, so it’s recommended.

Be sure to use a transparent bag so the tissue paper inside is visible.

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[Stickers] Colorful Umbrellas and Frogs

Let’s try making a cute craft with a colorful umbrella and a little frog.

With this idea, kids can enjoy fingertip stamping and sticking stickers.

Have the children use finger stamps to make a rainy pattern on a sheet of construction paper that will serve as the background.

Next, cut out the umbrella and frog parts from construction paper.

An adult should do the cutting.

Once the parts are ready, decorate the umbrella by adding stickers to make patterns.

You can draw the frog’s face, but it’s also recommended to paste a photo of the child—this makes it look like they’re wearing the frog’s raincoat and it’s super cute.

Finally, glue the umbrella and frog parts onto the background sheet, and you’re done!

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[Finger Painting] Colorful Snails

When June arrives, we often see snails on hydrangeas.

Their cute and curious appearance makes them popular with children.

Here’s an idea for making snails using a finger-painting technique.

First, draw a spiral for the snail’s shell on construction paper.

Then place a mixture of paint and liquid laundry glue on top, and seal it inside a plastic bag.

Let the children touch the bag and spread the paint around as they like from the outside.

Once the painting is done, cut out the spiral and attach it to a body made from a toilet paper roll.

Use several colors of paint to create colorful snails that will blow away the rainy-season blues!

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[Finger Painting] Rain and Teru Teru Bozu

Teru teru bozu hung up on rainy days look different depending on the angle, which makes them fun to observe.

Here’s a craft idea using finger painting.

Prepare white drawing paper and use crayons or stamps to depict rain.

If you’re using crayons, try drawing vertical lines.

Next, cut another sheet of paper into the shape of a teru teru bozu and add patterns with finger painting.

You can spread paint inside a sealable bag or put paint directly on your fingers and draw.

Attach paper-made facial parts to the painted teru teru bozu, then stick it onto the background to finish.

Adding an umbrella piece makes it extra cute!

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