[Early Childhood Education] Ideas for childcare that make use of light

Light art made with egg cartons

Ohara Museum of Art – Art at Home: “Let’s Make It with an Egg Carton!! The Magic of Light – Shining Eggs”

Let’s try a magical craft using an egg carton, pens, and tracing paper.

First, cut the egg carton in half and draw patterns on it with a pen.

Next, glue together a piece of thick paper and tracing paper to make a backing, and attach it to the egg carton.

Shine a flashlight or other light from the backing side, and mysterious colors and lights will appear, like stained glass or a kaleidoscope.

The risk of triggering an allergic reaction from the egg carton is low since it only touches eggshells, but if there are children with egg allergies, please check with their guardians to see if the child has previously handled egg cartons.

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tsukada moe

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Snow globe made from a plastic bottle

Mini Crafts at Home (2): Plastic Bottle Snow Globe Edition

Here’s an idea for making a snow globe using a plastic bottle.

When light reflects on water, it sparkles beautifully like jewels, doesn’t it? An original snow globe that traps beads or marbles in water inside the bottle is beautiful and appealing even to small children.

What you’ll need: a plastic bottle, a cold pack (ice pack), water, colored pens, and decorations like beads or glitter.

By dissolving a little of the gel from the cold pack into the water, it thickens slightly.

This makes the beads and other items inside move more slowly, creating a more authentic snow globe effect.

Give it a try!

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Yoimachi Jēn

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Glowing Paper Cup Theater

How to Make a Glowing Paper Cup Theater for Bedtime with Kids ♪ [moca-chan Time]

On days with bad weather, it’s dark outside from the morning and it’s hard to feel upbeat, isn’t it? In times like that, why not make a paper cup theater to instantly brighten your kids’ mood? A paper cup theater is a craft idea like a projector that lets you project drawings onto a wall or ceiling.

All you need are paper cups, plastic wrap, rubber bands, and a flashlight or other light source.

First, cut out the bottom of a paper cup so it becomes a tube.

Next, draw your favorite illustrations on the plastic wrap.

They look beautiful when projected, so making them colorful is recommended.

Once your drawing is done, use a rubber band to fasten the plastic wrap over the bottom of the paper cup.

Shine the light toward a wall to project it, and you can enjoy a movie-theater-like atmosphere!

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Yoimachi Jēn

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[Ages 4 and up] Let’s make a light box

A box of light!! Treasures sparkling all over! So pretty! So mysterious!

Why not try making a mysterious box that beautifully reflects light? First, cut silver origami paper into strips.

Then, attach tracing paper to one side of a milk carton ring to make the base.

Roll the silver origami into small tubes and line them up on the base.

When rolling, keep the silver side facing inward.

Once you’ve filled the box, stick several colors of cellophane on top, and it’s done! It’s a wonderful item for observing how light looks outdoors.

After you make it, be sure to head outside and have fun with everyone.

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Stained glass made with crayons

Hold it up to the light: DIY stained glass with crayons

Would you like to try making a stained-glass-style craft using crayons and baking paper? First, shave the crayons with a utility knife and separate the shavings by color into small containers.

Next, have the children sprinkle the crayon shavings onto a sheet of baking paper.

Overlapping the colors to some extent will make the result look nicer.

Then place another sheet of baking paper on top and press a low-heat iron over it.

Be sure to do this in a place where children can’t get close.

Once the crayons have melted, attach the sheet to a pre-cut black construction paper frame, and it’s done!

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Salt painting

Sparkling fun! How to make salt paintings [Nursery/Kindergarten]

Salt painting uses an everyday material—salt—that’s rarely used in crafts! Draw any picture you like on a backing sheet with white craft glue, and before it dries, sprinkle plenty of salt over it.

Shake off the excess salt, then brush on watercolor paint thinned with water, letting it soak into the salt.

You can use a brush or a dropper, or even dab the colors on with your finger for a beautiful effect.

Once the glue dries completely, your artwork will sparkle with glittering salt! It looks great even with simple patterns instead of specific pictures, so try incorporating it into your craft time.

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yuri

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Out for a walk! Effect Sheet

A familiar scene turns into a whole new world! This is an effect sheet that lets you enjoy the changes created by looking through it.

Prepare two plastic sheets (like the kind you can get at a dollar store).

Place glittery materials such as glitter or holographic pieces on one sheet, apply glue around the edges, then place the other sheet on top to seal it.

Add masking tape around the border, and your sheet is complete! Even a familiar schoolyard or park will become an entirely different world when you hold up the sparkling sheet.

Be sure to keep a close eye on children while they carry it so they don’t get too absorbed holding it up to the sun or lose their footing.

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yuri

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