Handmade Christmas present ideas! A collection of fun ideas for nurseries and kindergartens

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.
20 years of experience as a nursery teacher / kindergarten teacherhiyoko sensei
I’m Hiyoko-sensei, a former nursery school teacher from Hyogo Prefecture. Ever since I was five, my dream was to become a childcare worker, and before I knew it, 20 years had passed since I achieved that dream. Through singing and playing with the children, I kept working with the spirit of someone in their twenties, even as I increasingly felt my physical limits year by year (haha). From here on, I’d like to share helpful information carefully and thoughtfully, drawing on my on-site experience.

As Christmas approaches each year, it’s time to start thinking about Christmas presents, isn’t it? Here, we’re sharing handmade gift ideas for nursery and kindergarten teachers that you can enjoy making together with the children.

From photo coasters and pipe-cleaner wreaths to spinning Santas, these playful ideas are packed with fun! The time you spend creating with the kids—and the moment you give the gifts—will surely become wonderful memories.

Let’s make one-of-a-kind presents together that let each child’s individuality shine!

Handmade Christmas Gift Ideas! A Collection of Fun Projects for Nursery and Kindergarten (21–30)

Fluffy Santa Ornament

Let me introduce a Santa ornament with an adorably fluffy look! Once you’ve prepared the wrapping bags, have the children fill them with tissue paper and cotton.

Show them a drawing of Santa or a finished sample, and explain which part they’ll be making next—it makes it easier to understand.

Next, stick on the pom-pom nose and the eye and mouth stickers.

The placement will reflect each child’s personality, so you’ll end up with Santas of many different characters.

They’re also great for decorating the tree.

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hanauta obasan

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Christmas bells with Santa and reindeer

How about making handmade Christmas bells that are perfect for a Christmas party performance? It would be lovely to enjoy a little concert with bells you make together with the kids! Paste Santa’s face and hat pieces onto a half-circle of construction paper.

Next, roll the paper into a cone and secure it with tape.

Finally, thread a pipe cleaner with a bell through the bottom of the cone, bring it out through the top, and make a loop to finish! By changing the colors and parts, you can also create reindeer or tree designs.

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miyabi

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Skeleton Present

@haruharo_made
Christmas Craft / Gifts from Santa and the Reindeer ♡ Skeleton-Style Present [Materials] • Construction paper • Colored clear file folders (transparent colored sheets) • Scissors • Double-sided tape • Ribbon • Round stickers Notes: • It’s fine to paint instead of using the skeleton (transparent) style. • A skeleton (transparent) version using clear film with various colored films attached is also great.Crafts for 4-year-olds　Crafts for 5-year-olds #3-year-old crafts #2-year-old's craft Crafts for 1-year-olds Crafts for 0-year-olds Production #Nursery school Wall decoration #StayHomeTime #AtHomePlay Production ideas #Nursery School Craft Winter Craft #Kindergarten Kindergarten craft Nursery teacher / Childcare worker Kindergarten Teacher wall surface　#ChristmasTree Production for children under age (infants and toddlers)　Origami　Origami Craft #Christmas Ornament　Ornament making　Made in December　# January production Made in February Christmas crafts　#paint　
♬ Christmas standard song – 3KTrack

Making sparkly, cute gifts instantly lifts kids’ spirits, doesn’t it? For this craft, you’ll use a square piece of construction paper with the center cut out, a clear file (plastic sheet), and stickers.

Have the children stick round stickers onto the clear file.

Then attach the sticker-covered file to the square paper frame and tie on a ribbon.

A wide, glittery ribbon makes it look more festive and is highly recommended.

For Santa or reindeer decorations, adding eyes and a mouth with round stickers or crayons could be adorable, too.

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mayumi

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Ornaments made from plastic cup lids

Why not use plastic cup lids to make Christmas ornaments? Enjoy crafting dreamy ornaments with kids using everyday materials! First, make snowflakes from quarter-sized origami paper and stick them on the back of the plastic cup lid.

Next, cut transparent origami paper into circles and attach those to the back as well.

Finally, decorate the edge with your favorite roll stickers and add a ribbon to finish! Children who can use scissors might enjoy trying their hand at making the snowflakes.

Since the materials have a translucent look, we recommend displaying the ornaments where the light shines on them.

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miyabi

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Snow globe made from a plastic bottle

For Christmas crafts, we recommend a snow globe made with a plastic bottle.

The key point is that you can make it using familiar materials like plastic bottles and paper cups! To make it, simply place your materials inside the bottle, fill it with water right up to the brim, screw on the cap, and set it on a paper cup base.

You can also decorate by drawing on the paper cup or adding stickers! As for the materials to seal inside the bottle, items from the 100-yen shop work great, and you can also punch holes in white paper to represent snow—also good.

By turning the bottle upside down, you can enjoy the movement, which kids will love.

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miyabi

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Sparkly ornaments made with pipe cleaners and glue

Why not make some sparkly ornaments to get into the Christmas spirit? You can use everyday materials like pipe cleaners and wood glue! First, shape a pipe cleaner into a triangle and coat the outside with wood glue.

Flip the pipe cleaner over onto a sheet of parchment paper and fill the inside with glue.

Next, dip a toothpick or similar tool into paint to draw patterns, and decorate with beads.

Once the glue is completely dry, slowly peel it off the parchment paper—and you’re done! You can also try shaping the pipe cleaner into a star or a boot, and have fun changing the paint colors.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to decorate the Christmas tree with handmade ornaments together with the kids?

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miyabi

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Yarn-Wrapping Tree

Introduce a Christmas tree you can make by wrapping yarn, a material you can easily find around the house! Be sure to try it with your kids.

First, cut a piece of thick paper into a triangle and make small slits around the edges.

Next, wrap yarn around it, hooking it into the slits as you go.

Finally, decorate by gluing on beads, and finish by combining it with a base made from a cut toilet paper roll wrapped in origami paper.

It stands up on its own, so it makes a nice accent for your room and will help bring even more Christmas cheer!

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miyabi

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