Lovely childcare

Handmade gifts for Respect for the Aged Day! A collection of popular craft ideas in childcare

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.

With Respect for the Aged Day coming up, how about enjoying some exciting craft projects with preschool and kindergarten children? Here, we introduce fun ideas tailored to different ages—like a glasses stand, a tea canister, and a cute fingerprint tree.

Encourage the children to create a one-of-a-kind, special gift filled with gratitude for their beloved grandparents.

Imagine the children’s smiles and their grandparents’ delight as you enjoy making heartfelt presents together! Since the children’s creations are regarded as works of art, the term “seisaku” (制作) is used in the text to mean “production/creation.”

Handmade gifts for Respect-for-the-Aged Day! A collection of popular craft ideas in childcare (21–30)

[Vegetable Stamps] A Present for Respect-for-the-Aged Day

How about making a Respect-for-the-Aged Day gift using vegetable stamps? You can use any vegetables for the stamps, but it’s nice to include ones with unique cross-sections when sliced, such as okra or green peppers.

Press a handprint onto construction paper, paste a photo of the child in the center of a paper plate, and stamp vegetables all around it.

Punch a hole in the bottom of the paper plate and the top of the handprint sheet, thread a string through, and it’s done.

Hopefully the children’s message of gratitude—“Thank you always”—will reach your loved ones.

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[Vegetable Stamps] Grandparents’ Day Bouquet

How about making a Grandparents’ Day bouquet with vegetable stamps? For prep, fold a doily into a triangle and cut origami paper into leaf shapes.

Any vegetables are fine, but to make flower petals, using the base of greens like komatsuna works well.

Once everything’s ready, dip the vegetables in paint and have the children stamp them onto the backing paper.

Then glue on the doily and leaves, and decorate with stickers or washi tape.

If you want to add a message, have an adult write it for them.

When it’s finished, give it as a gift to Grandpa and Grandma.

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Handmade Gifts for Respect-for-the-Aged Day! A Collection of Popular Craft Ideas in Early Childhood Education (31–40)

Amulet for Respect for the Aged Day

(Simple Origami Craft) How to Make a Cute Amulet — Perfect for Birthday and New Year Gifts! Kids’ Craft, Origami, Activities for Seniors

Amulet for Respect for the Aged Day

Here’s a recommended way to make a good-luck charm that’s perfect as a Respect for the Aged Day gift in September! A charm made with love by children for their grandparents is sure to be cherished.

The basic method is very simple.

You can also create variations to suit the children’s ages, such as using two colors or adding lace paper! You could even tuck a message like “Stay healthy forever” or a drawing inside the charm.

If you’re looking for a September craft idea, definitely give this one a try.

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Grandparents’ Day Portrait Origami

How to Make Portrait Origami: A Simple, Cute Gift for Grandpa and Grandma (Kid-Friendly!) — Origami Grandparents Easy

Grandparents' Day Portrait Origami

This portrait origami is perfect for making crafts for Respect for the Aged Day in September.

Try creating designs inspired by grandpa’s and grandma’s faces! It also makes a great handmade present from children to their grandparents, so why not introduce it in childcare settings? The trickiest part when making the face is the ears.

Since they require some fine folding, take your time and make firm creases.

You can also tear a separate sheet of origami paper and paste it on for the hairstyle.

Finish by drawing in the facial features, and you’re done.

If you’re unsure what to make for Respect for the Aged Day, this easy, approachable portrait origami is highly recommended.

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uchiwa (Japanese hand fan)

[Age 4] Let’s use our imaginations to make original hand fans!

uchiwa (Japanese hand fan)

How about making and gifting a handmade uchiwa fan so Grandpa and Grandma can stay comfortable in the heat? It’s easy to make: just prepare the fan frame and attach construction paper to it.

You can decorate it by drawing on the paper, creating a one-of-a-kind original fan.

You could make a bright, festive fan packed with your ideas, or include a message especially for your grandparents.

A useful, everyday gift like this is sure to make them happy.

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Photo frame

[Paper Clay & Cardboard] Easy at Home! DIY Photo Frame [Kindergarten Graduation Craft]

Photo frame

There are surely many grandparents who display photos of their grandchildren where they can always see them.

How about making a photo frame to give as a gift for those photos? If you make a frame using cardboard or air-dry clay, you can customize it in lots of ways—paint the clay parts, embed cute beads, and more.

There are plenty of other methods too, so choose a way that suits the materials you have and your child’s age, put a favorite photo inside, and give it as a present!

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Shrinky-dink keychain

[Simple & Cute] Basic Way to Make Shrink Plastic Crafts [For Beginners]

Shrinky-dink keychain

These are keychains and accessories made using plastic sheets.

The key point is that they can be created through a simple process: draw whatever you like, then bake it to make it sturdy.

Since the material is clear plastic sheets, you can trace existing images or enjoy creating your own original designs.

If you’re making them as gifts, it might be nice to include a message along with the drawing.

Because they’re finished by baking in an oven, it’s important for an adult to supervise to ensure they’re made safely.

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