Lovely childcare

[Childcare] Sports day costume ideas: easy-to-make outfits

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.

Dance costumes are a must for nursery and kindergarten sports days! When kids wear cute outfits, they get excited and dance with energy.

The theme of the dance also comes across clearly to parents.

Here, we’ll introduce a variety of costume ideas.

Making costumes for the whole class can be tough, but it’s easy if you use colored plastic bags or nonwoven fabric.

With some fun customization, you can create even more appealing outfits.

Make wonderful costumes that get the children excited, and enjoy the sports day!

[Childcare] Sports day costume ideas: easy-to-make outfits (31–40)

Tutu made from sink strainer nets

Easy tutu skirt made with a drain strainer net

Tutu made from sink strainer nets

Household items can become such cute accessories! Here’s an idea for a tutu made using sink strainer bags.

These mesh bags are typically used in the kitchen, placed in the drain or corner strainer.

This time, let’s repurpose them to make a fluffy tutu.

All you have to do is tie the strainer bags onto a flat elastic band—done! Because the bags are lightweight and semi-sheer, they create a look similar to frills or tulle, making them perfect for costumes that need a soft, airy, and glamorous touch.

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Snow White-style costume

You can make a Snow White costume with colored plastic bags?! Easy costume-making for Halloween recitals and school plays

Snow White-style costume

The colorful hues are sure to lift children’s spirits! Here are some costume ideas inspired by Snow White.

Many kids may admire her from the Brothers Grimm fairy tale or Disney’s version.

This time, let’s make a Snow White–style costume using colored plastic bags.

Snow White symbolizes kindness, strength, and a heart that believes in dreams, making her a perfect fit for a sports day theme.

Try incorporating it by wearing it at the finish line of events or for a dance—feel free to adapt it as you like.

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Animal hats

[A Hat You Can Use at Nursery School] Easy-to-Understand How-To Guide (Recommended Age: 0–1 year)

Animal hats

Watching them dance in hats is sure to warm your heart! Here are some animal hat ideas.

These hats are perfect when your dance music evokes animals or when you want to highlight the children’s cuteness.

You’ll need cardstock, scissors, crepe paper, a stapler, colored construction paper, double-sided tape, and elastic cord.

Since the main materials are cardstock and crepe paper instead of fabric, there’s no need for tasks like finishing threads—very convenient! Try adjusting the shapes to match the animals you have in mind.

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Pineapple

A costume I recommend for a sports day where kids try various events is a pineapple.

Let’s make a bright yellow outfit consisting of a hat and a skirt! Cut a yellow plastic color bag to create each part.

You can make a pineapple-style skirt or a cute frilly skirt.

Decorate the pineapple hat with colored tape and felt fabric, then thread elastic through the waist and the head to finish.

Try making this outfit for sports day so kids can move their arms and legs freely.

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Best

For those who want to make easy-to-move-in costumes to match sports day songs and dances, vests are recommended.

Since they’re made using colored plastic bags, you can create cute outfits that take advantage of the lightweight material.

Cut the colorful plastic bags to fit the children’s clothing sizes.

Once you decorate them with ribbons made from plastic bags, the vest is complete.

You can also choose a theme to match the music used at the sports day and adjust the colors and patterns accordingly.

It’s a costume idea that suits events with lots of movement, like running and dancing.

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Moscato

Let's make a moleskine skirt!

Moscato

The mole skirt that’s familiar in hula dance.

If you’re going to perform a Hawaiian-style dance at a school sports day, this skirt is a must! You can easily make one by hand using plastic raffia tape (suzuran tape), so give it a try.

First, cut a length of tape to fit your child’s waist and tie a knot at both ends.

For the skirt portion, cut the tape into pieces about 60 cm long and make around 100 strips.

Next, bundle the strips in groups of four and attach each bundle to the waist tape, and you’re done! It also looks great if you use different colors for the waist tape and the skirt strips.

Making it together as a parent–child activity can be lots of fun too.

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strawberry

[Easy Craft] Make Cute Fruit Costumes with Colored Plastic Bags! [For Teachers]

strawberry

This costume is themed around strawberries with red fruit.

First, insert a red plastic bag into a green plastic bag and attach them with double-sided tape.

Next, stick another green plastic bag over the top, then turn the bag inside out.

Fix an elastic band, cut into two equal lengths, around the edge of the bag.

Pull the elastic to gather the opening, tie a tight knot, and trim off any excess.

Cut openings for the sleeves with scissors, then attach strawberry patterns made from construction paper, and you’re done! The soft, fluffy material makes this a great costume idea that suits active scenes like sports day.

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