Wonderful school festival / cultural festival

[Cute Prizes] Handmade Prize Ideas for School Culture Festivals

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked for 10 years as a kindergarten teacher and for 7 years as an after-school childcare instructor, then took a post as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I also engaged in activities that shared Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational play, working with many children. Afterwards, through freelance writing, planning, and editing work at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and conveying ideas. Leveraging the perspective cultivated in educational settings and my experience as an editor, I aim to deliver practical information—focusing on fields related to music and children—that values both input and output. Hobbies include instruments, singing, handcrafts, toys, drawing, traditional play, the outdoors, books, DIY, and crafts. Special skill: spinning-top tricks.
Keyboard playerSAKI
I’ve been playing the Electone since I was six, mainly performing Disney music, anime songs, and music from dramas and films. I post performance videos on YouTube and social media, and I also give concerts. Building on my Electone experience, I took up synthesizer and piano during my student years and performed at school-sponsored events. As a writer, I’ve covered not only music-related topics but a wide range of genres, so I hope to draw on my experience to deliver articles that make readers think, “I want to try that!” or “I want to listen to that!”

Are you struggling to decide on prizes for your school festival? You’re probably not alone.

With a limited budget and time for preparation, there are all kinds of constraints to consider.

Here, we’ll introduce some easy, low-cost prize ideas you can make even within those limitations.

Let’s use items from 100-yen shops and everyday recyclables to create stylish and cute prizes!

We hope your school festival becomes a wonderful event that stays in everyone’s memories!

[Cute Prizes] Handmade Festival Prizes and Recommended Ideas (21–30)

smartphone pouch

[Many pockets!] How to make a smartphone shoulder bag with a zipper pocket and spring clasp

smartphone pouch

A phone pouch that everyone can use is a super handy giveaway, because people can start using it the moment they receive it at the school festival! If you make it to hang from the neck and ensure the phone compartment closes securely, there’s no need to worry about dropping your phone while visiting different booths.

Adding a small pocket is also convenient for carrying the coins you’ll need at the festival.

Since it’s just a phone case, you don’t need to make it very big, and even those who aren’t good at crafts will find it easy to make once they get the hang of it.

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magnet

DIY with 100-yen store items: Easy! Upcycle and decorate magnets using natto packets — simple handmade craft with a Gudetama package

magnet

Let’s try making some handy magnets by hand! There are several methods: you can use plain magnets like the ones sold at 100-yen shops, or combine a DIY button badge kit with magnetic sheets.

If you’re starting with ready-made magnets, just stick your favorite illustration on top and coat it with resin—that’s it! If you’re using a DIY button badge product, simply place your favorite illustration inside and attach a magnetic sheet to the back for an easy finish.

From trendy character designs to stylish patterns, the variations are plentiful and the process is simple—highly recommended!

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[Cute Prizes] Handmade Festival Prizes and Recommended Ideas (31–40)

hand spinner

[DIY] Captivating the world!! Can you make a “hand spinner” with simple, everyday materials? | Can you make a hand spinner with simple materials?

Hand spinners that are easy to make and play with are popular as craft prizes at school festivals.

Draw four circles on cardboard using a 10-yen coin as a guide, then attach paper on top to increase durability.

Use an awl to make a hole in the center of the middle circle and insert a bamboo skewer through it.

Prepare two round pieces of cardboard and fix them on either side of the main body with the bamboo skewer as the axis.

Add your own design with markers or stickers, and you’ve got a one-of-a-kind hand spinner.

All the materials are easy to find, and the build takes only a short time, which is part of the appeal.

Combining cute looks with practicality, this item is also recommended for hands-on booths and raffle prizes at school festivals.

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wet tissue pouch

[100 Yen Shop] I tried making a squishy item!

wet tissue pouch

A wet tissue pouch that combines practicality and cuteness is a great prize idea for a school festival.

Prepare a mini pouch made of faux fur and cut a hole in the center to serve as the tissue opening.

From the inside, use a hot glue gun to securely fix a tissue dispenser opening so it aligns perfectly with the cutout.

Decorate it with slime, googly eyes, and colorful parts, and it’s done.

By putting care into the pouch’s design and color scheme, you’ll create a one-of-a-kind original item.

In addition to its adorable look, its real-world usefulness is a major draw.

It’s sure to be a hit as a gift or raffle prize.

At a school festival, you can also have fun offering a wide variety of designs.

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basket bag

How to make a simple mini basket with craft tape. Great for gifts and small item storage. Perfect for beginners.

basket bag

Basket bags that are both practical and cute are a standout item for handmade prizes at school festivals.

Start by crossing vertical and horizontal strips to form the base of the basket.

Once the base is done, fold and weave the strips upward to create the sides.

Using clothespins to temporarily hold the strips in place makes it easier to shape.

After the overall form is complete, attach the handles and rim strips and secure them firmly.

Finally, add ribbons or tags to taste for a more original touch.

By mixing different colors and materials, you can style it to look either natural or pop.

Lightweight yet sturdy, these bags are sure to delight when handed out on the day of the festival and make a practical keepsake to take home.

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Lollipop Butterfly

@katekatekate_______
DIY Lollipop Butterfly Class Valentines! These are so fun and cute and inexpensive. #valentinesday #classvalentines #kidsvalentines #diyvalentinecrafts #diyvalentine #kindergarten #preschool #classroomvalentines
♬ original sound – kindacraftykate

The super-cute lollipop butterfly is a standout prize for a school festival.

Create an illustration that mimics butterfly wings, then simply attach it around the stick of a lollipop (a stick candy) at the center.

The wings can be freely decorated with colorful construction paper and pens, so the whole class can enjoy customizing them together.

Add googly-eye stickers, glitter, or rhinestones to transform them into even more dazzling, unique butterflies.

They’re perfect as raffle prizes or small gifts for visitors.

It’s a festival-only idea that brings a smile the moment you see it.

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Squeeze

How to Make an Easy Squishy with a Sponge! Handmade Melon-Pan Squishy [100-Yen DIY] Squishy

Squeeze

Squishies have a pleasantly squishy texture and are super popular with everyone from kids to adults! You might wonder, “Can you really make squishies by hand?” but the truth is, they’re easy to make using a sponge.

Just cut an ordinary sponge—available anywhere—into your favorite shape and color it with acrylic paint.

Then coat the surface with glue or resin, and you’re done! If you use resin, cure it in sunlight.

It’s that easy to create a soft, squishy feel, so give it a try and share some soothing vibes with the people around you!

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