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)

Watermelon Lanterns (For Teachers)

Introducing how to make a Tanabata decoration lantern! We made a watermelon lantern out of construction paper! Why not try making it as a decoration for summer festivals in July and August? [Tsukuru-mon]

Watermelon Lanterns (For Teachers)

If you’re going to the trouble of making a lantern, try creating a masterpiece that only you could make.

A watermelon lantern captures the colors and patterns so well it looks just like the real thing! The kids will be amazed by the result.

First, crease a sheet of red construction paper and draw in the watermelon seeds.

Next, prepare green construction paper to make the outside of the lantern.

Cut slits so it will puff out into a round shape.

Tear navy or black construction paper into thin strips with your fingers and paste them onto the green paper.

Finally, combine the red and green papers and shape them into a lantern.

When you can make such a lovely lantern, you’ll want to show it off to the kids!

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Tanabata decorations

[Craft] Simple and cute! Four types of Tanabata decorations 🎋✨

Tanabata decorations

Let’s make Tanabata decorations with the children in preparation for the Star Festival.

There are many ways to make them, so choose a method that’s easy for your class to try.

Making lanterns is good practice for using scissors—be sure to draw guide lines first.

Also, Tanabata decorations look much more festive when they’re colorful.

If you use patterned origami that you don’t usually use, the children will likely exclaim, “So pretty!” at the results.

It would be great if you could make lots and hang them up.

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[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

[Construction Paper / Papercraft] A 2020 Paper Lantern That Can Be Folded While Keeping the Chenille Stems Attached

lantern

Here’s an idea for making lanterns that evoke the atmosphere of festival days and food stalls.

For this project, you’ll use black construction paper, red construction paper, and pink construction paper.

The black paper is for the top and bottom parts of the lantern—the frame, so to speak.

The red and pink papers are used for the lantern’s paper body.

It’s fun to finish it with a look that combines the two colors.

You can also swap red and pink for other striking combinations, like yellow and orange or blue and light blue.

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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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