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Recommended for nursery and kindergarten sports days! A collection of handmade medal ideas

Recommended for nursery and kindergarten sports days! A collection of handmade medal ideas

Last updated:2025/4/13

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.

At nursery and kindergarten sports days, you want to give medals to the children who did their best with a cheerful “Great job!” Handmade medals become a special memory for the kids, too.

Here, we introduce a variety of DIY ideas, such as gold medals and original medals that use the children’s photos.

There are many ways to make medals—from ones that are easy to craft with familiar materials to more elaborate versions—so please use these as a reference.

We hope to see lots of smiling faces at the sports day!

Recommended for nursery and kindergarten sports days! A collection of handmade medal ideas (1–10)

Shaka-shaka Medal

Let’s make a shaker medal! ~Let’s make a shake medal~

Shaka-shaka Medal

Let’s give a unique medal that makes a sound when you shake it! Here are some ideas for “shaka-shaka” medals.

For children, receiving a medal can feel like their individuality and hard work are being recognized.

A simple medal is great, but how about making and gifting a shaka-shaka medal that rattles when shaken? You’ll need colored construction paper, clear wrapping bags, ribbon, glue, and scissors.

Create the parts with the colored paper and assemble them by gluing them together.

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Medal made with a ribbon

Make it with ribbons! Medals 🏅 Great for graduation ceremonies, too.

Medal made with a ribbon

Write a message or name in the center of the medal and give it as a gift! Here are some ideas for medals made with ribbons.

Many people love the gentle feel and cute finish that ribbon materials create, don’t they? This time, we’re introducing medal ideas that use ribbons and can be given with illustrations or handwritten messages.

After cutting cardstock into a circle, use double-sided tape or craft glue to attach the ribbon to the back, folding it as you go.

On the cardstock, write a message for each child and present it to them.

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Side-dish cup medal

Medals made with side-dish cups

Side-dish cup medal

Choose a cute pattern and give a special medal! Here are some ideas for “okazu cup medals.” Okazu cups are cup-shaped containers used as dividers for side dishes in bento lunches.

This time, let’s use okazu cups to make medals.

You’ll need okazu cups, construction paper, gold cardstock, ribbon, and more.

Okazu cups come in a variety of designs, so choosing them can be exciting.

It’s also nice to ask the child’s favorite color and make it a gift.

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First Star Medal

[Jingly♪] First Star Medal #handmade #kidsCrafts #homemadeToys #atHomePlay #DIY #lifeHacks #preschoolIdeas #handmadeTeachingAids #sportsDay #sportsDayMedal

First Star Medal

Let’s give the gift of a sparkling, one-of-a-kind little star! Here’s an idea for a “First Star” medal.

Star motifs often evoke positive images like happiness and hope because of their glittering shine, don’t they? This time, let’s make and give “First Star” medals to children.

You’ll need: star-shaped aluminum cups, a hot glue gun, beads and straws, ribbon, a photo of the child, laminate film, stickers, scissors, tape, double-sided tape, and a stapler.

If you put beads and other bits into the aluminum cup, it makes a fun rattling sound!

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The Lion’s Gold Medal

[Handmade Gold Medal] Easy Lion Medal Using Round Stickers and Sparkly Origami

The Lion’s Gold Medal

Let’s give an impactful medal that becomes a lasting memory! Here are some ideas for a lion-themed gold medal.

It’s a humorous concept perfect for those who want to present medals to hardworking kids but are unsure about the design.

This time, let’s make a memorable lion gold medal.

You will need colored construction paper, round stickers, sticky-note stickers, glitter origami paper, ribbon, thick paperboard, a ruler, a compass, scissors, glue, a pen, and a craft knife.

The idea that makes clever use of sticky notes is really fresh, isn’t it?

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Cut-and-paste medal

[For Sports Day Crafts♪] Easy medals you can make just by cutting and pasting 🥇 #PreschoolCrafts #PreschoolTeacher #PreschoolIdeas #FuturePreschoolTeacher #TeacherLife #EasyToMake #ConstructionPaper #Origami #SportsDay #PaperCrafts

Cut-and-paste medal

I’m glad the process of making medals is simple! Here’s an idea for medals you can make just by cutting and pasting.

Wouldn’t it take quite a bit of time to handcraft medals for everyone in the class? Let’s reduce the workload a little while still making cute medals to give.

What you’ll need: thick paper (cardstock), a pencil, scissors, glue, holographic origami paper, and ribbon.

Cut the cardstock into circles and draw illustrations or text.

Then cut the holographic origami paper and glue it onto the cardstock like flower petals—that’s it! Attach a ribbon so it can be worn around the neck.

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Crown Medal

Handmade medals! How to make a 3D, crown-topped version (perfect for sports days and birthday parties)

Crown Medal

Let’s create a three-dimensional design with a special feel! Here’s an idea for a crown medal.

When you receive a medal, you want to show it off to your friends and parents, right? This time, let’s make a crown medal that’s three-dimensional and sparkles.

You’ll need colored construction paper, holographic origami paper, ribbon, tape, a stapler, glue, a craft knife, scissors, a compass, a ruler, and a pencil.

By using holographic origami paper, you can make a medal that shines brilliantly!

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