Lovely childcare

Preschool: Lantern craft ideas to make in summer!

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.

Lantern crafts perfect for Tanabata and summer festivals.

Making them with children is fun, but it can end up being the same method every year, or sometimes the process feels difficult.

So here, we introduce lantern-making ideas you can enjoy with kids.

From simple to slightly challenging, there are various materials and techniques.

You might find options suited to the children’s ages.

By creating while having fun, you can spend time that becomes a lasting memory.

子どもたちと一緒に、すてきなランタン作りをぜひ楽しんでください！注：子どもたちが作ったものは作品として扱われるため、本文では「制作」と表記しています。

[Childcare] Lantern craft ideas to make in summer! (21–30)

[Transparent Origami] Sparkling Lantern

Lanterns made with transparent origami are perfect for summer events like pretend festivals.

First, prepare two clear plastic cups.

Have the children stuff them with transparent origami paper.

The finished result looks prettier with a variety of colors, so create an environment where they can freely choose the paper.

Align the rims of the two cups and secure them with tape.

Let the children stick star stickers around the outside.

For the finishing touch, the teacher can attach black construction paper bands to the top and bottom—and it’s complete! You can display it as is or hang it from a high place to enjoy.

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Lantern shade made with orizome (fold-dyeing)

At-Home Kids’ Atelier: “Orizome (2) – Let’s Make a Milk Carton Lantern!” [Yagawa Children’s Center]

Lantern shade made with orizome (fold-dyeing)

Here, we introduce how to make a lovely lantern using origami-dyed paper and a milk carton.

It’s convenient to light it from the inside with a flashlight.

First, make a slit partway down the milk carton and cut it with scissors.

Use the top half and peel off the printed layer from the body.

After peeling, glue the spout of the carton closed.

Next, tear the dyed paper into pieces and stick them onto the carton.

Once the paper is attached, brush a layer of diluted glue over the entire carton to finish.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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[Childcare] Lantern craft ideas to make in summer! (31–40)

Torn-paper collage: Making a lantern

[Origami Play] Paper Lantern: Chōchin — A Perfect Educational Craft for Kids Using Origami [Collage]

Torn-paper collage: Making a lantern

Why not try depicting lanterns using the collage technique? Collage helps develop fine motor skills and a sense of color.

The method is simple: make a collage on white drawing paper and shape it like a lantern! Letting children choose colors freely brings out their individuality.

Because lantern shapes can be hard to imagine, the teacher should lightly mark the approximate size and shape in pencil beforehand.

From the classic red to green, blue, yellow, and more—let children choose their favorite colors to express themselves.

Be sure to have the parents take a look at the finished piece.

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[Paper Cups] Colorful Lanterns

Colorful Lanterns [Craft] [Handmade Ornaments]

[Paper Cups] Colorful Lanterns

How about making colorful lanterns out of paper cups? First, have the children draw patterns on the paper cups.

Prepare bands for the outside that are 2–3 cm wide and about 20 cm long.

It looks nice if you glue a thin strip of construction paper in a different color down the center of each band.

It’s a good idea for the teacher to prepare these in advance.

Once the paper cups are decorated, attach the top and bottom of each band to the cup.

Take care to stick them on neatly so the center forms a clean circle.

Since the bands need to be spaced evenly, adding guide marks makes it easier for the children to work.

Glue a black construction paper band around the bottom, attach some twine, and it’s done.

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In conclusion

We introduced ideas for making lanterns you’ll want to try in summer.

Lanterns are perfect for Tanabata and summer festivals.

Choose the materials and techniques that best suit your children from a variety of ideas! Hanging them in a room sets the mood and transforms the space into something lovely.

Be sure to enjoy making lanterns together with the kids.