[Childcare] Fun craft ideas and craft activities perfect for summer

Creative play with colored water and droppers

Shaping play with colored water and droppers (from 18 months old; children with developmental disabilities can enjoy it together)

This is an art activity where you drip colored water onto washi paper using a dropper.

We recommend using a stronger type of washi than regular calligraphy paper.

It’s helpful to prepare a backing board in advance by wrapping a piece of cardboard with plastic.

Put paint in an egg carton, then use the dropper to drip the paint onto the washi paper.

Fold it into a size that’s easy for children to hold, then unfold it to finish! You can fold the paper into a square or a triangle—either is fine.

Some children may feel uneasy about the colors mixing, so show them a sample and reassure them by saying, “It’s okay if the colors mix!”

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kepiko

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Osakana Maru Uchiwa

[Summer Craft] Clear and refreshing! Fish Round Fan

Sure to be a hit in summer! How about making a cool fish-shaped fan with the kids? First, cut two pieces of thick paper into circles, then cut out the round handle area and a fish shape from each.

Next, attach a piece of clear plastic file, cut larger than the fish shape, to one of the thick paper circles.

On top of that, stick randomly cut pieces of cellophane, imagining fish scales as you go.

Finally, glue the two pieces of thick paper together and draw the fish’s eye to finish.

Decorate freely by drawing pictures or adding stickers.

The bright summer sun will make the fish sparkle even more and boost that summertime feeling!

lantern

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

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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yamamoto

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Shaved ice made with origami

[Origami Shaved Ice] Easy-to-fold summer origami

Let’s make shaved ice, a beloved symbol of summer for kids, using origami! After you finish, it’s also fun to play pretend summer festival.

You’ll need two sheets of origami paper: one for the ice and one for the cup.

The folding itself is simple, so children should be able to handle it.

There is a step that uses scissors, so depending on your child’s age, you can let them try it or have a teacher or guardian help.

By changing the color of the origami, you can enjoy different “flavors” like strawberry, lemon, or Blue Hawaii.

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miyabi

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cute pineapple toy

Here’s how to make a cute pineapple toy using a candy container! Use an empty cylindrical candy box that matches the size of a pool noodle.

Insert a yellow pool noodle inside, then cut it to the width that suits a pineapple shape.

It already looks pineapple-like at this point, but you can add the pineapple pattern by scoring it with a nail or a thin stick.

Finally, decorate the candy case to look like a tin can using fabric scraps or wrapping paper—and you’re done! It’s perfect for pretend play or playing shop.

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kepiko

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The Ferris wheel spinning round and round

Let me introduce a water-play friendly, spinning Ferris wheel craft.

Gather pool noodles, a milk carton, wooden chopsticks, plastic spoons, and a utility knife, and let’s make it.

First, cut the milk carton to create the base on which the Ferris wheel will rotate.

Next, take a piece of cut pool noodle and make six evenly spaced slits along its side.

Insert plastic spoons into the slits with the handles pointing inward.

Thread a chopstick through the center, set it onto the milk carton base, and it’s complete.

Attach gashapon capsules to the plastic spoons to transform it into a Ferris wheel.

By keeping the balance even, the Ferris wheel will spin smoothly.

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mayumi

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Balance tree of pool cue sticks

Let me introduce an exciting, heart-pounding balance tree made from pool noodles.

Get your materials ready: a pool noodle, a utility knife, plastic bottle caps, stickers, tape, and a paper cup.

Cut the pool noodle in half and make slits where the branches will fit.

Since you’ll be cutting with a utility knife, it’s best to start with small cuts and gradually adjust to the size you need.

Take the remaining half of the pool noodle, slice it lengthwise to create the branches.

Fit the trunk into the paper cup, insert the branches, and you’re done.

Try placing a spinning top—made by stacking two plastic bottle caps together with their indented sides facing each other—on it and enjoy the wobbly balance tree!

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mayumi

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