Lovely childcare

[May] A collection of craft ideas to try with 5-year-olds

20 years of experience as a nursery teacher / kindergarten teacherhiyoko sensei
I’m Hiyoko-sensei, a former nursery school teacher from Hyogo Prefecture. Ever since I was five, my dream was to become a childcare worker, and before I knew it, 20 years had passed since I achieved that dream. Through singing and playing with the children, I kept working with the spirit of someone in their twenties, even as I increasingly felt my physical limits year by year (haha). From here on, I’d like to share helpful information carefully and thoughtfully, drawing on my on-site experience.
Nursery Teacher Mom Writertsukada moe
After working for five years at an after-school childcare club and three years at a nursery school, I began working as a freelance writer. I’m a mother of two children. Inspired by playing the flute in the school wind ensemble in elementary school, I joined a jazz club at university. I’ve also incorporated ukulele and piano performance into childcare. Playing, laughing, feeling sad, feeling frustrated—through all kinds of experiences, I want children to grow.

May has pleasant weather, and it somehow makes you feel excited, doesn’t it?

The five-year-olds, now the oldest in the class, may have settled down a bit since moving up a level.

May is also known for events like Children’s Day and Mother’s Day, so we’d love for you to try activities and crafts themed around these occasions and the month of May.

This time, we’ve gathered a variety of fun ideas using different materials and techniques.

These are ideas that five-year-olds will feel motivated to tackle precisely because of their age, so please give them a try.

Because the children’s creations are treated as works (art pieces), we use the term “seisaku” (制作) in the text.

[May] A collection of craft ideas to try with 5-year-olds (51–60)

Bouquet made of yarn

@michiko05057157
I tried making a bouquet of carnations to give on Mother’s Day, using yarn 🌷#Mother's Day #Mother'sDayGift work Carnation Bouquet
♬ A cute pop song with the sound of bubbles(1563452) – sanusagi

Let’s make it by winding yarn round and round! Here are some bouquet ideas you can create with yarn.

Yarn is a soft thread used for knitting and crafts.

It’s usually made primarily from wool, but there are also varieties made from materials like acrylic, nylon, and cotton.

This time, let’s make cute carnations using yarn.

It’s best if a teacher or guardian handles steps like wrapping the wire and floral tape for safety.

Make a wonderful gift together with your child and give it to someone special!

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Magnet and fabric sticking play

https://www.tiktok.com/@nagoya_kodomo/video/7119471763578244353

It’s fun how they stick with a snap! Here are some ideas for magnet-and-fabric sticking play.

Let’s make fabric toys that even infants can enjoy! You’ll need fabric or felt, magnets, fabric adhesive, needles, and thread.

If you create popular characters or illustrations from picture books with fabric or felt, children will be captivated! Sew magnets into each piece, and they’ll snap together so kids can play over and over.

Please be very careful to prevent accidental swallowing of magnets.

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Color-changing Koinobori

@yopiko148
I tried making a pattern-changing carp streamer, kind of like a sequin T-shirt ♡#HandmadeToys Koinobori Crafting Translation #Secret message
♬ Osakana Tengoku – Sayu Mayu

When you stroke the scales with your hand—like magic!—the colors change.

Here’s an idea for a carp streamer (koinobori) that does just that.

It’s a unique concept we recommend for anyone unsure about how to make their koinobori.

All you need are construction paper, vivid-colored round stickers, and pastel-colored round stickers.

In recent children’s fashion, there are many designs where stroking a sequined picture changes the pattern.

By using that idea, you can create a koinobori that’s fun to make and fun to play with.

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Kashiwa-mochi castanets

[Handmade Instruments] With Paper Clay! Kashiwa Mochi Castanets [Children’s Day Craft]

Kashiwa-mochi castanets

Let’s get crafting for Children’s Day! Here’s a fun idea for making Kashiwa Mochi castanets.

Many preschools and kindergartens probably sing children’s songs like “Koinobori” together during Children’s Day events, right? Let’s make Kashiwa Mochi castanets that will come in handy for those moments! You’ll need cardboard or a milk carton, green construction paper, white air-dry clay, buttons, colored pens, glue, craft adhesive, and scissors.

It’s a delightful, event-specific craft—give it a try!

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[May] A collection of craft ideas to do with 5-year-olds (61–70)

Koinobori Kendama

[Children’s Day Craft] How to Make a Paper Cup “Koinobori Kendama”

Koinobori Kendama

Recommended for Children’s Day events! Here’s an idea for a carp streamer kendama.

May brings Children’s Day, doesn’t it? Many of you may be celebrating at your preschool or at home.

Take this opportunity to make a carp streamer kendama.

You’ll need paper cups, twine, copy paper, washi tape, round stickers, clear tape, scissors, and glue.

The ease of gathering the materials is part of this idea’s appeal.

Try making and playing with this carp streamer kendama!

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koinobori rocket

[Children’s Day Craft] How to Make a Koinobori Rocket

koinobori rocket

Carp streamers burst out with energy and excitement! Here’s an idea for a Koinobori Rocket.

When you think of Children’s Day, many people picture koinobori, right? This time, let’s make a toy with a carp streamer motif that you can build and play with! You will need two paper cups, two rubber bands, decorative materials like stickers and colored paper, scissors, a craft knife, and clear tape.

The decoration is very flexible, so it’s sure to spark kids’ creativity!

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Coffee filter carnation

Handmade Carnations for Mother's Day 🌹 ~ Coffee Filter Edition ~ #crafts #shorts #youtubeshorts #carnation #Mother'sDay

Coffee filter carnation

Layer coffee filters to create beautiful petals! Here are some ideas for coffee filter carnations.

Coffee filters are commonly sold in white and brown, but this time we’ll use white filters for our project.

You’ll need coffee filters, toothpicks, tape, floral tape, water-based markers, and a dropper.

Once your coffee filter carnation is complete, try placing it in a box and giving it as a gift.

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