When you think of summer, you think of “yo-yo fishing,” right?
Among the many food stalls lined up at festivals, yo-yo fishing is especially popular with children.
Catching the yo-yos is tricky, but it’s a beloved staple of Japanese festivals that everyone can enjoy together.
This time, we’d like to introduce how to make festival yo-yos.
We hope that through this activity, children can experience and connect with traditional Japanese summer culture.
If teachers can prepare the slightly difficult parts in advance, the activity should go more smoothly.
Please try making a variety of yo-yos!
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Making yo-yos that are super popular at festival stalls! (1–10)
[Ages 1 and up] Making Mini Bubble-Wrap Yo-Yos
![[Ages 1 and up] Making Mini Bubble-Wrap Yo-Yos](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/JDxDxN_Rh9k/sddefault.jpg)
How about making a yo-yo using that fun-to-touch bubble wrap used for packing? Cut the bubble wrap into a circle and face the flat side up.
Then color in the bubbly side with permanent markers in your favorite colors, and once you’re done, you’ll have a colorful yo-yo! If you stick it onto a three-dimensional backing made from construction paper, it will look even more realistic.
It’d be nice to use lots of colors to make it visually striking.
But leaving some areas uncolored on purpose could give it a unique charm, too.
[Ages 0 and up] Making Newspaper Yo-Yos
![[Ages 0 and up] Making Newspaper Yo-Yos](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/9FNAKcm_wAI/sddefault.jpg)
Here’s a fun craft that involves tearing and crumpling newspaper.
First, have the children tear up newspaper and crumple it into balls.
The size doesn’t have to be exact, but if it doesn’t hold together well, an adult can help or secure it with tape.
Put the crumpled newspaper into a clear bag and tie it so nothing falls out.
Attach a chain of three rubber bands to the tied part, and secure it with tape—that’s it! You can also use materials other than newspaper, like colorful tissue paper, to make it look cute.
[Ages 1 and up] Make yo-yos with finger painting
![[Ages 1 and up] Make yo-yos with finger painting](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/3DCUqydGZDA/sddefault.jpg)
An art project for children starting from age one: a finger-painting yo-yo craft idea.
Put a few dabs of your favorite acrylic paint colors on a sheet of white drawing paper, then place it inside a zippered freezer bag.
Next, spread the paint with your fingers over the bag.
The paints will blend just enough to create a nice gradient.
Once you’re happy with the colors, take it out to dry, then cut out a yo-yo shape centered on the colored area—and you’re done! Pressing the paint with your fingers feels so much fun.
Stained Glass Yo-Yo
This is a great idea not only for yo-yo fishing games but also as a decoration! Cut black construction paper into yo-yo shapes and cut out patterns as you would with paper cutouts.
Attach small pieces of colored cellophane to OPP tape, then adhere it to the back of the construction paper.
Trim any OPP tape that sticks out and shape the edges, and you’re done! If you attach various colors of cellophane, you’ll get beautiful yo-yos that look just like stained glass.
Try using them as decorations or prizes for summer festivals.
Yo-yo fishing with vinyl balloons
How about making an easy yo-yo using a plastic ball? Take a plastic ball sold at toy stores or 100-yen shops, poke a hole with an awl, thread a pipe cleaner through it, and form a loop at the end.
Decorate the ball cutely with masking tape, and make a hook using another pipe cleaner—and you’re done! The simple steps make it tempting to mass-produce them.
You can also make one the same way using a capsule from a capsule toy.
Marble Rolling Yo-Yo Craft
Instead of focusing on the yo-yo itself, this idea is all about the pattern! Prepare a piece of drawing paper cut into the shape of a yo-yo and place it on some newspaper.
Then roll marbles coated with paint in your favorite colors over it.
The tracks they leave become the yo-yo’s pattern.
It won’t turn out exactly as you expect—and that’s the point.
It’s a fun idea that embraces randomness.
You could also try using other rolling objects, like plastic bottle caps, instead of marbles.
How to make water yo-yos for a wall display
As a wall decoration idea for the hot season, try making water yo-yos! Cut construction paper into yo-yo shapes, then cut another color of paper diagonally and stick it on to create that distinctive pattern.
Add some stickers, and your cute water yo-yos are done! The more you make, the more summery it will feel.
By the way, that “distinctive pattern” I mentioned is called “Doremi.” If you search online, you’ll find other patterns too, so be sure to use them for inspiration!