Fun summer activities for kids: ideas you’ll want to try in childcare and at home

sponge toy

Squeeze and have fun with water play♪ Sponge toy

Introducing jellyfish and fish toys made from sponges that are perfect for water play.

Sponge toys are a big hit with kids because they can soak up water and be squeezed for fun! Give it a try.

Prepare two mesh sponges.

Cut the net of one sponge and remove the sponge inside.

Cut the sponge into a jellyfish shape and make a hole in the center.

Thread a string through the top of the net to make a loop, pass the loop through the hole in the sponge, then cut the net to create the tentacles.

For the other sponge, cut it into a fish shape, tie a rubber band between the body and the tail fin, and draw patterns with a pen.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

sasashina

Report a problem

Indoor ice play

[Childcare Activity] Indoor Ice Play in Summer (1): Ages 1.5 and up

Put small toys and water into an ice tray and freeze to make ice.

Once the ice is ready, transfer the cubes to another container and try pouring water over them or rubbing them with your hands to rescue the toys.

You can use plain water, or add paint or food coloring—it’s highly recommended.

As the ice melts, you’ll get colored water, and it’s also fun to see how the colors mix and change into new ones.

Wanting to get the toys out will inspire kids to think in different ways.

It’ll be exciting to see what ideas they come up with.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

sasashina

Report a problem

Colored water & ice play

[For 2-year-olds] Perfect for summer! Colored water and ice play

Playing with colored water can involve using paint or plants and flowers, but this time let’s try using tissue paper.

Tear the tissue paper into small pieces, put them in a clear paper cup, and pour in water.

Then, mix it with a spoon, kneading it gently to make colored water.

Prepare tissue paper in various colors and enjoy each color on its own or the shades you get by mixing them.

Once your colored water is ready, how about everyone playing juice shop together? You’ll surely have a beautiful lineup of colorful “juices.”

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

sasashina

Report a problem

Goldfish scooping toy

Handmade water-play toy! Goldfish scooping—chase away bath-time fuss with “The Goldfish Ran Away”! Perfect for summer festivals [Nursery/Kindergarten]

Goldfish scooping, a classic at summer festival stalls, is actually easy to make and enjoy at home! Cut a milk carton into a long strip to form a ring, attach a handle made from another piece of the carton, stretch a drain net over it, and secure it with vinyl tape to make a poi (scooper).

Next, draw fish on a milk carton, cut them out, and make your goldfish.

You can also cut goldfish from construction paper and laminate them between layers of OPP tape.

Float the goldfish in water and scoop them up with the poi.

Since the poi won’t tear, even small children can enjoy it.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

sasashina

Report a problem

Turtle’s plastic bottle bucket

[PET bottle craft] Great for water play! Turtle PET-bottle bucket [handmade toy]

Here’s an idea for a turtle-themed bucket made from a plastic bottle that kids can use to fill with water or scoop and play.

First, cut off the bottle’s mouth and protect the cut edge with tape.

Design a turtle on the side of the bottle using tape, then draw the face with a permanent marker.

Punch holes on both sides of the bottle’s rim, thread through suzuran tape (polypropylene ribbon) that has a 2 cm-wide piece of straw cut and slipped over it, and attach it as a handle to finish.

Using straws in several colors makes it bright and cute.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

sasashina

Report a problem