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

[Ages 0 and up] Soft Tanabata Decorations Using Tissue Paper

Here’s a Tanabata craft that even 0-year-olds can try.

First, teachers should prepare the base: make Orihime and Hikoboshi out of construction paper.

Also, cut tissue paper into many small circles for decorating.

Then let the children freely stick the round pieces onto the bodies and heads of Orihime and Hikoboshi.

It’s recommended to apply glue in advance to the areas where the circles will go.

The soft colors of the tissue paper will give the craft a fluffy, charming look.

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paper puppet theater

Tanabata Paper Puppet Show for Preschools: Fun for Parents and Children, Chosen by Kids!

Let’s use paper theater puppets (peep-sart) to help children learn about the Tanabata story! A paper theater puppet is a paper-made figure that you move like in a puppet show to tell a story.

One of its charms is that you can attach a stick and give the puppet different expressions on each side—like a smiling face on the front and an angry face on the back.

Because the story unfolds as you move the puppets, it keeps children engaged.

You can present it puppet-show style, bringing the puppets up from beneath a large table, or you can create a backdrop and perform in front of it.

It’s a perfect activity for letting children experience the Tanabata story in a clear and enjoyable way.

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Sparkling decorations made from empty lactic acid bacteria drink containers

Let’s try making a sparkling decoration perfect for Tanabata using a lactic acid bacteria drink bottle! Put your favorite glitter, beads, and other embellishments into the bottle, then fill it with water to about halfway.

Next, place some paint on the inside of the cap, screw the cap on, and shake to mix the paint with the water to add color.

Once the color is mixed, open the cap and fill the bottle to the top with liquid laundry starch to create a sparkly, snow-globe-like decoration.

To finish, attach paper faces of Orihime and Hikoboshi you made from construction paper, and decorate the bottle so it looks like the patterns on their kimonos.

To prevent leaks, we recommend securing the cap with vinyl tape.

Depending on the children’s ages, teachers should handle making small parts like the faces.

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[Ages 3 and up] Tanabata decorations made with beads

[100-Yen DIY] Simple and Cute! How to Make Tanabata Decorations! Three Types: Orihime, Hikoboshi, and Shooting Stars to Craft with Kids ☆ – “Star Festival” Paper Decoration DIY – Daiso Handmade Origami

Children aged 3 and up can try making Tanabata decorations with beads! Fill small clear plastic bags with beads and glitter of their choice to create Orihime and Hikoboshi’s clothing.

Once the contents are in and the bag is sealed, attach paper faces you’ve made to complete them.

Add a string so you can hang them on bamboo branches or walls.

Teachers should help with making the faces and attaching the string according to the children’s ages.

To give it a Tanabata feel, be sure to use star-shaped and sparkly beads inside.

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Wobbly-cute Orihime and Hikoboshi

[Nursery/Kindergarten] Adorable Tanabata Craft You Can Display [How-To & Instructions]

Why not try making cute, wobbly Orihime and Hikoboshi using paper plates? Fold a paper plate in half and make slits so the body parts of Orihime and Hikoboshi remain.

Wrap construction paper around the body section like a kimono and glue it on.

It goes more smoothly if the teacher prepares up to this step.

For the face parts, older kindergarteners can try cutting circles with scissors by themselves.

Once they draw the faces, have them glue them onto the paper plates.

Drawing on the plates with pens or adding sparkly stickers will make them even more festive and result in uniquely personal creations.

Decide which parts the teacher will support and which parts the children will handle according to their age and developmental stage, and be sure to give it a try.

Tanabata craft using handprints

[Nursery Craft] First installment of Tanabata crafts made by daycare teachers: the basics. Adorable Orihime and Hikoboshi that are a huge hit with parents of children ages 0 to 5! We’ll share tips and methods for having fun crafting together with kids. The practical demo and explanation start now.

How about making Orihime and Hikoboshi using handprint stamps? Draw and cut out a yellow star for the backing, as well as the face parts for Orihime and Hikoboshi on construction paper.

Using round stickers for the eyes and mouth makes things go smoothly.

Stamp the star with white paint using a dauber.

The steps are simple, so even younger children can enjoy the activity.

Prepare two sheets of construction paper with the children’s handprint stamps and cut along the handprints.

Glue Orihime’s and Hikoboshi’s faces onto the star backing, then attach the handprints upside down as their kimono.

Decorate by adding punched-out hearts and stars for a festive look.

Finish by sticking sparkly tape or thin strips of origami under the star.

It makes a cute Tanabata decoration that records your child’s growth—give it a try!

A classic Tanabata decoration

A classic! Easy! Cute! If you’re looking for a Tanabata decoration that ticks all three boxes, this is a must-see! How about making a shell ornament? The method is super simple.

First, fold a sheet of origami paper in half, then make vertical cuts starting from the folded edge.

If younger children are doing this, it helps to lightly draw guideline lines to make cutting easier.

Once you’ve made the cuts, open the paper and glue the opposite diagonal corners together—that’s it! Using patterned origami or translucent paper is also recommended.

It’s perfect for practicing scissor skills, too.