Lovely childcare

Let’s enjoy summer-only fun! Cool and refreshing play ideas

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.
9 years of experience as a nursery school teacherShibata Risa
I am an active nursery school teacher with 9 years of experience. After graduating from university, I worked at a daycare center. The time I spent happily with children—playing piano, singing songs, and doing finger-play—are priceless memories to me. Currently, while raising three children of my own, I work at an after-school day service, engaging with children and providing individualized developmental support. Drawing on my diverse experiences as a childcare worker and as a mother, I hope to express and convey my thoughts through writing.

In the hot summer, many teachers are surely thinking, “I want to have fun with the children through cool activities!” So here are some ideas to enjoy summer-specific play.

There are classics like water gun games to enjoy with friends, as well as sensory play using mud, foam, and ice.

Hands-on experiences nurture children’s curiosity, so these are highly recommended.

There are also activities children love—like bath bombs and slime—that can be done both outdoors and indoors, so be sure to incorporate them into your childcare.

Stimulate the children’s five senses and enjoy the summer to the fullest!

Let's enjoy summer-only fun! Cool and refreshing play ideas (1–10)

Beat the summer heat! 3 fun ice play ideas

[Daycare & Kindergarten] 3 Super Easy Ice Play Ideas to Beat the Summer Heat!

Beat the summer heat! 3 fun ice play ideas

Here are three ice play ideas.

First, freeze some watered-down paint and use it to draw pictures.

Second, freeze marbles inside ice and try to get the marbles out.

Third, melt a large block of ice mixed with paint.

They’re all simple, so please give them a try.

Drawing with ice feels different from usual and is a lot of fun.

For the marbles, try melting the ice by pouring water on it or rubbing it with your hands to add warmth.

For the last activity, make blocks in various colors so you can also enjoy playing with colored water.

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Water-play PET bottle toy

How to make three water-play toys from plastic bottles! Scoop & watering can, magic juice, and sparkly juice [For childcare workers and play materials]

Water-play PET bottle toy

Let’s try making some DIY toys for water play.

Here are three types: a scoop and watering can, magic juice, and glitter juice.

For the scoop, cut a plastic bottle in half, punch holes along the rim of the bottom half to thread a string through, then stack another bottle piece upside down (with the mouth facing down) on top to finish.

For the watering can, cut a rectangular opening in a plastic bottle and make several small holes on the opposite side for the water to flow out.

Magic juice is made by filling a small plastic bottle with water, dabbing some paint on the inside of the bottle’s mouth, then sealing and shaking it so the color changes.

Glitter juice is made by putting water, liquid laundry starch (or clear glue), and sequins or beads into a plastic bottle; flip the bottle upside down and back to enjoy the movement of the liquid inside.

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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 toy

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.

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Colorful ice play with pom-poms

http://www.lemon8-app.com

Have fun without using colored water! Here’s a colorful ice play idea using pom-poms.

It’s easy to try because you can get all the materials at a 100-yen shop.

This time, let’s use a round ice tray and colorful decorative balls to enjoy some cool, playful ice activities.

Just put the decorative balls and water into the round ice tray, freeze it, and you’re done! You can play by touching the ice as is, or enjoy watching it melt in the bath.

Try out different ways to play.

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Easy colored-water play at home

[Perfect for Summer!] No Paint or Food Coloring Needed! Easy Color-Water Play at Home [Daycare/Kindergarten]

Easy colored-water play at home

No paints or food coloring needed! Here are some easy ideas for colored-water play you can try at home.

When your child asks to “play with colored water,” you might not have paints or food coloring on hand.

This time, let’s try a simple colored-water activity using washable markers! You’ll need water, washable markers, copy paper cut into strips, and plastic cups.

Color the paper strips with the washable markers, then gently swish the paper in a plastic cup filled with water—the color will transfer into the water!

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