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 (81–90)

Fruit Concentration

These are felt cards you can use to play Concentration (Memory)! You can choose any motifs you like—fruits, vehicles, animals, anything is fine.

However, since Concentration is a game where you match pairs of identical cards, be sure to make two cards of each design.

Cut felt into card shapes and either glue or sew the motifs onto them.

If you’re making everything out of felt, it’s efficient to layer the same fabric and cut two identical pieces at once to save time.

If you want to keep things simple, you could also use store-bought appliqués and just stick them on.

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Stretchy soap bubble

@eqkosodate
Rapidly growing soap bubblesSoap bubbles Soap bubbles #AtHomePlay Play with children Experimental Play Experimental Play
Rouge’s Message (Kiki’s Delivery Service) – Carl Orrje Piano Ensemble

Here’s an idea for stretchy soap bubbles that lets you enjoy a unique, one-of-a-kind texture.

First, prepare a straw and a wet wipe.

Wrap the wet wipe around the tip and secure it with a rubber band.

Next, make a bubble solution by mixing water and dish soap, and pour it into a container.

Then dip the tip into the container and slowly lift it up.

You should see a chain of tiny bubbles appear, connected together.

The slightly sticky, mysterious look is really fun.

If you investigate why this happens, it can turn into a learning experience too.

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train

Let me introduce an idea for a train made with a coin case.

When it comes to toy trains, “Plarail” is the classic choice, but this time let’s try making one with felt! Cut out a train base the same size as the coin case, along with parts like windows and lights, all from felt.

Sew them together, then slip the felt over a coin case wrapped with magnetic tape.

After sewing it closed, you’re done! This toy can connect with magnets, so try making trains in various colors and types.

It might be fun to make a playmat with tracks to go with it, too!

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CD

Let's make and play with a 'CD spinning top' that spins really well! The black-and-white patterns will look like colors.

If you’ve got CDs lying around at home, why not repurpose them into handmade spinning tops? By combining a CD with a marble, you can transform it into a top that spins really well! The trick is to choose a marble that’s slightly larger than the hole in the center of the CD.

To make it, just apply glue around the center hole of the CD and fix the marble in place.

You can also add a small piece of double-sided tape where you pinch it, or use a finger cot for extra grip, making it easier to spin.

Plus, it’s fun to design and decorate the disc! Try making your own original top in your favorite colors and have fun spinning it.

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Fishing for fish

I made a felt fishing toy / handmade / hand-crafted / educational toy

Fishing for fish

Fishing is one of the most popular pastimes for children.

So why not try making various sea creatures out of felt? In addition to fish, kids might be delighted to have creatures you wouldn’t normally catch when fishing, like sharks, dolphins, and turtles.

If you put a material inside that sticks to a magnet, they can enjoy “catching” them with a rod that has a magnet on the end.

You can make them by layering and gluing felt, or stuff them with cotton to give them a three-dimensional shape—both are recommended.

Since they’re toys, be sure to make them colorful!

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