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

strips of transparent film

Here’s how to make cute transparent film tanzaku decorations for your wall.

First, take a white sheet of construction paper and punch holes in it using a star-shaped craft punch.

Once you’ve made lots of holes across the sheet, use a sponge with paint to add color.

Navy, blue, yellow—any colors you like are fine.

Cut the paper into the shape of the Milky Way, then attach yellow transparent film to the back.

Trim off any excess.

Glue a larger star—made from a different colored sheet of paper—at the top of the Milky Way, write your wish on the star, and you’re done! It’s also cute to make Orihime and Hikoboshi from construction paper and stick them on.

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sasashina

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[Ages 3 and up] Orihime and Hikoboshi made with accordion folding

For children aged 3 and up, let’s have them try a craft using accordion-folded origami.

Prepare origami paper in their favorite colors and fold it back and forth with mountain and valley folds to create an accordion.

Fold the accordion in half at the center to make the kimonos for Orihime and Hikoboshi.

It’s also recommended to prepare two sheets of origami and combine them.

Finally, add faces for Orihime and Hikoboshi made from other origami or construction paper to complete the craft.

Depending on the age group, it may go more smoothly if the teacher prepares the facial features in advance.

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SAKI

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Black Panel Theater

The Tale of Tanabata (Fairy Tale) Black Theater

A black panel theater that you can enjoy in a darkened room, almost like watching a movie.

Black panel theater is a performance in which illustrations drawn with fluorescent art materials are moved across a board covered with black fabric to tell a story.

Simply darkening the room isn’t enough to make the fluorescent drawings clearly visible, so the board is illuminated with a black light during the narration.

Because it’s viewed in the dark, it’s perfect for a Tanabata story featuring stars.

The stars and the Milky Way, drawn with fluorescent materials on the black board, look beautiful—so be sure to give it a try!

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SAKI

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Orihime and Hikoboshi

[Easy ✨ Tanabata Decorations] How to Make Orihime and Hikoboshi 🎋 [Dollar-Store Origami] Quick and Easy! Hanging Ornaments & Wall Decorations DIY Origami.

When it comes to Tanabata, the stars of the show are Orihime and Hikoboshi.

As a way to get familiar with the traditional Tanabata story, why not try making Orihime and Hikoboshi with origami? The kimonos are very simple to fold, so children will find them easy to attempt.

You can also make their faces easily by decorating circular pieces cut from origami paper.

Depending on the children’s ages, teachers can help by preparing the facial features and offering support.

Display them together with kusudama balls, streamers, and other decorations to liven up Tanabata!

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miyabi

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[Ages 3 and up] Orihime and Hikoboshi Tanzaku Decorations

[Nursery Craft] Tanabata Craft, Part 3. A childcare worker demonstrates seasonal crafts. We’ll share tips and methods for enjoying craft-making together with children. Practical demo and commentary start now!

For children aged 3 and up, we recommend Tanabata wish tags featuring Orihime and Hikoboshi.

While wish tags are often made from long, narrow origami, with a bit of creativity you can make stylish and cute ones.

Use origami or construction paper to create Orihime and Hikoboshi.

For steps that involve scissors, assess how the children are handling the task, and have the teacher do the cutting if necessary.

You can attach the finished Orihime and Hikoboshi as decorations on a long, narrow wish tag, or get creative by making a shooting-star-shaped tag and placing them on it—the possibilities are endless.

Then write your wishes and hang them on bamboo or stick them on the wall in your room!

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SAKI

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[For 4-Year-Olds] Fun Tanabata Craft with Decorations

[Tanabata Craft] Make Sparkling Star Decorations! Perfect for Tanabata Projects! Easy with Paper Plates! [For 4-Year-Olds]

A great recommendation for four-year-olds is a Tanabata craft that lets them enjoy decorating.

Teachers should prepare paper plates with the center cut out and a small hole punched in one spot.

Have the children freely decorate the plate to make Tanabata ornaments—adding stars, sticking on various stickers, and using sparkly tape or origami that’s perfect for Tanabata.

Thread a string through the pre-made hole, and you can hang them in various places.

Don’t set strict rules—let them create freely using a variety of materials.

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SAKI

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[For 5-year-olds] Orihime and Hikoboshi made with paper plates

[Tanabata Craft for 5-Year-Olds] Make Orihime and Hikoboshi with Paper Plates! Tips for Using It in Preschool

Let’s make Tanabata bamboo decorations of Orihime and Hikoboshi using paper plates.

Cut yellow construction paper into a moon shape sized to fit the plate.

To help children cut with scissors, teachers should draw guidelines on construction paper in advance for Orihime and Hikoboshi’s faces, kimono, and hair ornaments.

It’s also recommended to prepare plenty of star parts with a star-shaped punch to evoke a starry sky.

Fold origami paper lengthwise into an accordion, then cut along the lines as well.

Once all the parts are ready, glue them onto the paper plate to finish.

Encourage children to freely draw expressions and kimono designs for Orihime and Hikoboshi.

This craft is recommended for preschoolers who are comfortable using scissors (middle to older age groups).

Thread twine through and hang it as a bamboo decoration or display it in the room for a lovely touch.