[Nursery/Kindergarten] Crafts you can play with after making them
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.
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[Nursery/Kindergarten] Crafts you can play with after making them (101–110)
milk carton cube
A cube puzzle made from milk cartons is recommended because it’s simple, reusable, and makes good use of waste materials.
Combining three pieces to form a cube seems easy but is surprisingly challenging, so it could be effective for children’s learning as well as brain training for the elderly.
It’s also easy to make, making it great for recreational activities.
This three-dimensional puzzle game uses simple, readily available materials, can be made quickly, and helps develop imagination while exercising fine motor skills.
Bubbly soap bubbles
Big visual impact! Let’s make a bubbly foam bubble blower.
First, prepare 45 straws cut to about 3 cm in length.
Once they’re ready, cut a clear file folder into a strip and line the straws up on it.
A hot glue gun is recommended for attaching them.
When finished, roll the piece up into a coil.
Finally, cut a 500 ml plastic bottle to about one-third of its height, insert the part you just made, and you’re done.
When you blow bubbles with this, you’ll get a breathtaking display.
Chomp Chomp Castanets
Let’s handcraft castanets—star performers in any ensemble—using a milk carton.
Cut the milk carton into pieces sized for the top and bottom parts of the castanets, and glue construction paper on the outside.
From here, it’s the kids’ turn! Have them freely draw animals or their favorite characters on the construction paper.
Tearing paper for collage or decorating with stickers will also make it look great.
Next, use an awl to make holes, thread a chenille stem (pipe cleaner) cut to a length that fits a finger, and attach plastic bottle caps on the inside so they make a clicking sound.
Your original castanets are complete!
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!
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.
