Lovely childcare

[Nursery/Kindergarten] Crafts you can play with after making them

9 years of experience as a nursery school teacherShibata Risa
I am an active nursery school teacher with 9 years of experience. After graduating from university, I worked at a daycare center. The time I spent happily with children—playing piano, singing songs, and doing finger-play—are priceless memories to me. Currently, while raising three children of my own, I work at an after-school day service, engaging with children and providing individualized developmental support. Drawing on my diverse experiences as a childcare worker and as a mother, I hope to express and convey my thoughts through writing.

At daycare centers and kindergartens, there are many opportunities to make toys using familiar recycled materials.

Making their own toys and playing with them lets children enjoy the process of creating, builds confidence, and gives them a sense of accomplishment—benefits that greatly support their development.

Let’s actively incorporate lots of these activities.

This time, we’re introducing craft ideas that kids can play with after making them.

Tops, pinwheels, puzzles—ideas that are sure to spark children’s curiosity!

Feel free to adapt them while incorporating the children’s ideas, and create one-of-a-kind toys bursting with originality!

They’ll surely grow attached to them, and the fun will double.

[Nursery/Kindergarten] Crafts you can play with after making them (101–110)

Decorating tambourines is fun

Let's Play with the Rhythm of Handmade Instruments! Plate Tambourine

Decorating tambourines is fun

Here are some fun ideas for decorating tambourines.

You’ll need two paper plates, straws, scissors, tape, a pen, and masking tape.

Put the cut pieces of straw between the paper plates, press them together, and seal the edges with tape and masking tape—that’s it! Use pens in your favorite colors to draw expressions on the tambourine.

It’s also fun to give the front and back different expressions, like a smiling face on one side and a sleeping face on the other.

The simple method makes it easy for kids to follow, which is part of its charm!

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A shooting gallery game using toilet paper rolls

Let's turn toilet paper cores that would become waste into a shooting game.

A shooting gallery game using toilet paper rolls

Cardboard toilet paper tubes are easy-to-get recyclables, so let’s make good use of them in childcare activities.

With just a little effort, you can create a shooting game.

First, make a hole through the center of one tube and insert a straw, securing it in place.

Next, bundle a few cotton swabs and wrap them with paper tape to make the pellets.

Put a rubber band around the area of the hole, pull it back with the pellet, then release! If you make targets using other toilet paper tubes, you’ll have a handmade game that kids can enjoy indoors.

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Puzzle

Create an original from your child's drawing: easy handmade puzzle

Puzzle

Let’s turn your children’s one-of-a-kind drawings into a puzzle! Prepare a piece of cardboard slightly larger than the drawing paper, attach the drawing in the center, and trim around it.

Glue this frame-shaped cardboard onto another piece of cardboard that will serve as the puzzle base.

Next, use a craft knife to cut the drawing into puzzle-piece shapes, and fit the pieces into the base—your original puzzle is complete! It’s a wonderful toy that lets you admire your child’s artwork while playing together, even after you bring it home.

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Marble Drop

Marble Drop: A DIY Anpanman Plastic Bottle Toy That Even Babies Love!

Marble Drop

Why not try making a marble drop inspired by Anpanman? The base will be a plastic bottle.

First, cut it into three equal sections, then insert a piece of thick paper between the sections and reassemble them.

Punch marble-drop holes in the thick paper and decorate it to evoke Anpanman.

You could also make the thick paper look like Anpanman’s or Baikinman’s face.

Once you add the marbles, it’s complete.

Its cute appearance and the sound of the marbles dropping will captivate children.

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Soap bubbles made with pipe cleaners

[Done in 1 minute] That bubble thing made with pipe cleaners is a huge hit with kids 🫧✨ #shorts #childcare #crafts

Soap bubbles made with pipe cleaners

Like a magic wand! Let’s make a cute item that makes blowing bubbles even more fun.

First, prepare a cookie cutter in your favorite shape.

Shape a chenille stem (pipe cleaner) along the cutter and twist to secure it.

Next, thread a few beads of your choice onto the lower part of the stem.

To prevent the beads from slipping off, twist the tip into a small loop—and you’re done! The steps are simple and exciting to do, so try making it with family or friends and use it for your bubble play.

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[Nursery/Kindergarten] Crafts you can play with after making them (111–120)

Making houses out of thick paper (cardstock)

100-yen store DIY: A cardboard dollhouse — Princess Castle. How to make a dollhouse

Making houses out of thick paper (cardstock)

Here’s a guide to making an adorable cardboard house.

Use a ruler to sketch the house’s dimensions on the cardboard.

Carefully cut along the guidelines with scissors or a craft knife.

Add color to the cardboard using construction paper.

Cutting the construction paper with scissors is recommended, but tearing and pasting pieces might add a charming, handmade feel to the work as well.

Use glue to attach the parts and assemble them so they don’t fall apart.

Once you add the final decorations, your cute dollhouse is complete.

If you like, adding sparkly stickers or beads can make it even more charming!

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paper cup balloon

@sayacky_be.child
Here’s the list of materials ▼ (Follow @sayacky_be.child before you forget!)[Materials]- Small paper cup (you can cut it shorter)- BalloonHandy to have when making it:- Air pump- A cutter or scissors to make holesTips:- The balance between the amount of air and the weight of the paper cup seems important!- If the hole is too small, it will just drop down 😂- If the paper cup is too light, it will spin around 🌀- It seems best to have a cup with some weight and a relatively large hole ❣️- A regular-sized paper cup cut short might work too.- If you make it well, please share your tips in the comments 🫶🏻☺️- I’ll share easy tips for making it well in Stories 🥰Everyone, great job as always! Wishing you bright, cheerful days… 🎧𓈒𓏸Nice to meet you!I’m Sayacky, a nursery teacher and mom of two who loves play that lets adults become kids again 🥰I share play ideas that help adults and kids connect, brighten hearts, and grow ❣️Please follow me 💓@sayacky_be.child ▲ Check out my other posts ໒꒱#Sayakki-World Nursery teacher / Childcare worker #NurseryTeacherMom #HandmadeToys #Childcare Crafting Craft Play #Childcare topic #AtHomePlay #StayHomeTime Balloon Balloon Play #StayHomeTime
♪ Original Song – Sayakki | Preschool Crafts, Handmade Toys, Educational Play – Sayakki’s Play Atelier

Why not try making a hot air balloon using a balloon? It’s very simple: make a hole in the bottom of a paper cup, insert a balloon from the top, and pull its neck out through the hole at the bottom—that’s it.

If you inflate the balloon and let it go as is, you’ll see it fly in a fun way! The way it flies changes depending on the size of the hole and how much air is in the balloon, so try different variations.

Compared to trains or airplanes, hot air balloons might not be very familiar to children, but we’d be delighted if this activity sparks their interest and curiosity.

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