Lovely childcare

[Childcare] Enjoy handmade tambourines with the children

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.

How about making homemade tambourines and enjoying a fun music time with the children?

Here, we’ll share ideas for DIY tambourines you can make with everyday items like paper plates and plastic bottle caps.

For decoration, stickers or drawings are great for showcasing each child’s personality.

Once they’re finished, tap along to the rhythm together, sing, and create a joyful time that brings out children’s smiles—both in daily childcare and at events!

[Childcare] Let's enjoy handmade tambourines with the children (1–10)

Handmade tambourine using 100-yen shop materials

[For 1-year-olds] Handmade musical instrument play

Handmade tambourine using 100-yen shop materials

Make it with a one-year-old! Here are ideas for handmade tambourines using materials you can get at a 100-yen shop.

What you’ll need: paper plates, washi tape, air-dry clay, disposable chopsticks, bells, and stickers.

Let’s create handmade instruments together with one-year-old children! The finished instruments can be tambourines or drums, and the charm is that each child can play freely.

It’s adorable to see children freely perform to music with their own original instruments, decorated by cheerfully sticking on stickers.

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Tambourine made with acorns

Forest Concert for Ages 0–2

Tambourine made with acorns

If you’ve collected lots of acorns while playing in the park, going for walks, or on a field trip, try making a tambourine! It’s important to connect with natural materials and feel the seasons.

First, to prevent bugs, either boil the acorns and dry them or freeze them.

Let the kids decorate paper plates with origami paper, washi tape, and stickers.

Partially fasten two decorated paper plates together, then let the children put the acorns inside and have fun.

When you’re done, it would be lovely to hold a little concert with your handmade instruments! It’s an exciting craft that makes you wonder what kind of sound a tambourine filled with acorns will make.

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Tambourine made from scrap materials

[Childcare/Arts & Crafts] Let’s make a tambourine that makes sounds! [Upcycled materials]

Tambourine made from scrap materials

Shake it! Tap it! Enjoy the sounds! Here’s a tambourine idea made from recycled materials.

You’ll need a flat round box, six jingle bells, chenille stems (pipe cleaners), and a tool for making holes such as an awl.

First, make holes at six evenly spaced points around the round box.

Next, cut the pipe cleaners into six pieces, thread a bell onto each one, and attach them through the holes in the box—and you’re done.

Since there’s a risk of injury when making holes or handling the pipe cleaners, be sure to work together with a parent or teacher.

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Milk Carton Tambourine

Let's hand-make a tambourine using a milk carton!

Milk Carton Tambourine

How about making a tambourine by reusing an everyday material—a milk carton? It’s easy to make and costs nothing, so it’s highly recommended! Cut the milk carton into strips and form triangles, then combine six of them into a hexagon and glue them together.

Cover the outside with colored construction paper of your choice, and feel free to decorate it by drawing pictures or adding stickers.

To finish, punch holes along the edge and attach small bells—done! Since this craft has relatively many steps, it’s best for the teacher to prepare it in advance and then play with the children together.

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Tambourine made from everyday items

Tambourine Friends 2

Tambourine made from everyday items

Here are some ideas for making a tambourine from everyday items.

A tambourine is an instrument with bells or small cymbals attached around a metal rim, with skin stretched over one side.

How about making a tambourine using familiar materials found at home or in a preschool? You can substitute the skin with plastic sheeting or construction paper, and use a ring toss hoop or a cut-out paper plate for the rim.

If you brainstorm with the children, you’ll likely come up with lots of fun ideas! Give it a try.

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