[Childcare] Perfect for Tanabata! Craft ideas for Orihime and Hikoboshi

The Tanabata of the Milky Way

Because of the weather and city lights, not many people have had the chance to really see the Milky Way on Tanabata.

With the hope of showing children this rare sight, let’s try creating a Milky Way on the wall.

Along with the Milky Way, be sure to include Orihime and Hikoboshi as well.

If the weather is bad and children worry about whether Orihime and Hikoboshi were able to meet, design the wall so the two are shown together and you can reassure them: “They did meet!” You could also combine other Tanabata elements like bamboo branches and tanzaku wish strips.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

SAKI

Report a problem

Tanabata decorations of the Milky Way

Let’s make Milky Way decorations that are perfect for Tanabata.

By taking a strip of origami paper and making alternating cuts from the left and right, you can create the Milky Way.

Since the process is a bit intricate, it’s a good idea for the teacher to draw guide lines where the cuts should be made.

Once the Milky Way is ready, try combining it with star-shaped construction paper, or with Orihime and Hikoboshi made by cutting construction paper or folding origami.

When making star shapes, you can also use a craft punch that cuts out stars.

Create lively, cute pieces and enjoy a wonderful Tanabata!

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

SAKI

Report a problem

Sketchbook Theater

[Sketchbook Theater] Tanabata: Highly Recommended for Childcare Settings – How to Enjoy and How to Make It! Perfect for Use in the Classroom

A sketchbook theater is where you use a sketchbook like a picture-story show to tell a story.

You can draw the story’s illustrations directly in the sketchbook, or make characters and other elements out of construction paper and paste them in.

Adding mechanisms—like characters that pop out, move, or images that change instantly like magic—will make it even more enjoyable for children.

If you’re doing it for a Tanabata event, try creating it with the Tanabata story as the motif.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

SAKI

Report a problem

Tanabata craft with swipe art

Let’s make Tanabata decorations using the swipe art technique! Swipe art is a method where you brush several colors of paint onto a sponge, then swipe the sponge to create striped patterns.

We use this pattern as a representation of the Milky Way and apply it to Tanabata decorations! The key tips are to mix plenty of water into the paint and to avoid pressing too hard when you swipe.

Add decorations like Orihime and Hikoboshi, star-shaped cutouts from construction or colored paper, and stickers to finish! The steps—dabbing paint onto the sponge and swiping—are very engaging, so be sure to let children enjoy creating them.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

miyabi

Report a problem

A cute heart-themed Tanabata card

July 7th is Tanabata.

Here’s a perfect craft idea for the occasion.

You can also use it as a wall decoration, so give it a try! Cut blue construction paper into a heart shape and use a cotton swab stamp to create a starry sky all over.

In the center of the heart, use finger stamps to depict the Milky Way.

Make the outfits for the Orihime and Hikoboshi figures using a bleeding-art technique with coffee filters, then attach the facial parts made from construction paper.

Once you’ve glued Orihime and Hikoboshi onto the heart base, it’s complete.

If you want to hang it as a wall decoration, punch a hole in the base and thread a ribbon through it.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

sasashina

Report a problem

The Milky Way and Orihime and Hikoboshi

Turn a kitchen must-have—parchment paper—into the Milky Way! It’s a fun, hands-on craft you can enjoy with kids.

First, spread several colors of acrylic paint onto the parchment paper, fold it in half, and use your hands to spread the paint.

Next, open it up and flick white paint with a brush to complete the Milky Way.

Then roll the parchment into a tube, staple it, and hang Orihime and Hikoboshi motifs from twine to finish.

The tactile fun of spreading paint on parchment paper and the freedom to combine colors will give you a unique, personality-filled Tanabata decoration!

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

miyabi

Report a problem

Tanabata craft with vegetable stamps

How about making a Tanabata craft while enjoying vegetable stamping? This time we’ll use okra—a vegetable that’s also used in Tanabata somen.

Cut white construction paper into a half-circle and stamp it with okra.

These will become Hikoboshi and Orihime’s kimonos, so choose colors with that image in mind.

Once the paint dries, paste them onto slightly larger blue and pink construction paper.

Roll them to give a kimono-like shape and secure with double-sided tape.

Next, make the faces and attach them to a backing sheet.

Feel free to adjust the steps for the faces and the backing to suit your class’s vibe.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

tsukada moe

Report a problem