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

Stag beetles you can enjoy with a three-year-old

[Origami] Summer origami “Stag Beetle” to make with a 3-year-old child

A summer favorite! Here are some stag beetle ideas you can enjoy with 3-year-olds.

Some preschools and families may already be raising stag beetles or rhinoceros beetles.

Many children are fascinated by their glossy texture and cool horns and jaws.

This time, let’s make a stag beetle out of origami.

All you need is one sheet of origami paper in your favorite color and a pen.

The steps are a bit complex, but the time spent experimenting together with parents or teachers will make wonderful memories.

Give it a try and include it in your activities!

How to fold a rhinoceros beetle origami for children aged 4 and up

[Origami] How to Fold a Rhinoceros Beetle [Yoshimoto Comedian span! Makoto]

Let’s fold a rhinoceros beetle, a big favorite among children.

Prepare one sheet of origami paper and fold it into a triangle.

Fold both sides toward the center line.

Then, fold toward the center line again, leaving a gap about the width of 3–4 toothpicks, and make a crease by folding the corner up toward the tip.

Following the creases, make step folds, and also fold the corners so the beetle’s shape becomes nicely rounded.

Once the shape is set, make a small cut with scissors on the beetle’s horn area and twist it to create a cool-looking horn.

When you’re done, display it on a wall or elsewhere and enjoy!

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Easy shaved ice

The summer-filled “Easy Shaved Ice” is an origami idea that even preschoolers can enjoy: with just one sheet of paper, you make both the cup and the ice, then finish by drawing syrup with a pen.

Coloring while imagining your favorite flavors—red for strawberry, green for melon, blue for Blue Hawaii—is a huge hit with kids.

Even with the same shape, each piece shows personality depending on how it’s colored, sparking lively chats like, “What flavor should mine be?” Hang them on the wall and they instantly become a refreshing display! It’s the perfect origami for creating summer memories and expanding children’s imagination.

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Easy and cute morning glories

How to Make Summer Flower Origami: Simple and Cute Morning Glory Origami (For Kids!) · Origami Morning Glory

Let’s make a summer symbol, the morning glory, with origami.

Fold the paper into a triangle three times.

Prepare scissors and cut the top of the triangle diagonally.

Be careful not to cut the inner triangular section while cutting.

Open the paper and fold the four corners inward along the lines.

Turn the paper over, fold the corners, shape it into a morning glory, and you’re done.

The steps are simple, so give it a try.

Wrapping paper tape to make a vine and decorating it is a lovely touch too.

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Easy way to fold a crab (origami)

How to Fold Origami [Crab]: Easy Origami Folding How-to Video Series [ORIGAMing]

Here’s how to make a crab out of origami.

Prepare one sheet of origami paper and let’s get started.

Fold it in half into a square twice, then open the pocket to puff it up and squash-fold it into a triangle.

Make the crab’s legs and claws while aligning them with the center line.

The key is to make sharp creases as you fold.

You can add a face or patterns to the finished crab to create your own original design—it’s highly recommended.

Try making your own crabs and sticking them onto poster paper to create a large wall display!

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Cute seashell

How to Make Origami: A Simple and Cute Seashell (For Kids!) – Origami Shell

Let’s make a summery, seasonal seashell out of origami.

Prepare one sheet of origami paper.

Fold the paper in half, then fold the left and right corners toward the center crease.

Fold toward the center crease again.

Flip it over and further fold the left and right corners toward the center crease.

Open the paper, fold the corners, and shape the whole piece into a seashell.

The overall crease lines represent the lines of the shell, giving it a more three-dimensional look.

The finished seashell is also great to incorporate into crafts that evoke an underwater scene.

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Origami Whale

[For 4-year-olds] Let’s try it—seasonal origami: “Whale”

Perfect for summer! Here are some origami whale ideas.

How about making a whale gliding gracefully through the sea—you can almost hear the splash! Displaying your finished creation in a room will give it a cool, refreshing feel.

What you’ll need: blue-toned origami paper (like light blue), pens or crayons, and construction paper.

It also sounds fun to let your finished whale swim in the ocean you imagine and to draw its expression.

You’ll probably see creations full of the children’s unique touches.