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[Childcare] A roundup of summer craft ideas to enjoy with 2-year-olds

A fun summer for children.At around age two, children’s minds and bodies grow rapidly, and the ways they express themselves expand.In childcare settings, it’s nice to incorporate ideas that let children feel the season of summer while enjoying crafts.However, if you always use similar methods, things can sometimes feel a bit dull.So here, we introduce summer craft ideas you can enjoy together with two-year-olds.There are many ideas, so please use them as inspiration and enjoy summer with the children!Because the things children make are treated as works, we use the term “seisaku (制作),” meaning production/work, in the text.

[Childcare] A roundup of summer craft ideas to enjoy with 2-year-olds (21–30)

Colorful ice play with pom-poms

Have fun without using colored water! Here’s a colorful ice play idea using pom-poms.

It’s easy to try because you can get all the materials at a 100-yen shop.

This time, let’s use a round ice tray and colorful decorative balls to enjoy some cool, playful ice activities.

Just put the decorative balls and water into the round ice tray, freeze it, and you’re done! You can play by touching the ice as is, or enjoy watching it melt in the bath.

Try out different ways to play.

Handmade toy made from masking tape (yojo tape)

[At-home play] A handmade toy you can make in 10 seconds! A toy made only with masking tape has revolutionized the daycare. Introduced by a director and a daycare-teacher mom.
Handmade toy made from masking tape (yojo tape)

What can we make? Here are some ideas for DIY toys using masking tape.

Masking tape is probably something you have on hand both at preschool and at home.

Let’s try making toys with it.

You could even set a time limit and improvise—how exciting! What would you make? What kinds of ideas would children come up with? Just thinking about it is exciting, isn’t it? In the video, it’s used like tunnels and pockets.

Give it a try and incorporate it into your playtime.

[Childcare] Summer craft ideas to enjoy with 2-year-olds (31–40)

Fireworks stamp using a toilet paper roll

Fireworks Craft (Ages 2–5): A Summer Project Using Toilet Paper Rolls
Fireworks stamp using a toilet paper roll

Let’s make stamps using toilet paper tubes and use them to paint fireworks.

You’ll need a few toilet paper tubes, black construction paper, paints, and a tray for the paint.

Draw guide lines on the tubes so you don’t cut too far, then use scissors to make fine cuts up to the lines.

After cutting, flare the cut sections outward.

Make several of these; if you vary the fineness and depth of the cuts to create different types, the final result will be more interesting.

Dip the stamps in paint and press them onto the black paper, and you’re done.

Fireworks crafting activity

Craft: Fireworks [Nursery school craft play / classic / summer craft]
Fireworks crafting activity

When you think of summer, many people probably think of fireworks.

How about drawing a picture of fireworks? We’re going to try a unique way of using paints.

First, prepare some paints, brushes, black construction paper, and a cup of water.

Using a brush dipped in water, drop paint onto the black paper so it looks like fireworks.

Once you’ve placed a good amount, blow through a straw to spread the paint.

If you blow in different directions, it will look like the fireworks are bursting outward.

The colors blend together beautifully.

Give it a try!

Summer and Animals

Seasonal wall display. This time, we’re introducing the July wall display: “Summer and Animals.”
Summer and Animals

Here are some July wall display ideas perfect for the hot summer, featuring summer motifs and animals.

With classic summer treats like shaved ice, rhinoceros beetles, and watermelon, the display really gives off a summery vibe and looks delicious.

By adding animals around them, the wall display gains a sense of story.

Try making shaved ice in different flavors to increase the variety.

It’s also a great idea to create a summer-festival-like display by incorporating elements like rhinoceros beetles, watermelon, fans, and food stalls to capture the summer atmosphere.

Setting a clear theme for the display can make it more concrete and easier to create.

Salt painting

Sparkling fun! How to make salt paintings [Nursery/Kindergarten]
Salt painting

Many preschools actively incorporate sensory play in the summer.

So let’s try salt painting, an activity even one-year-olds can enjoy.

First, prepare construction paper.

Let the children draw freely.

The key is to have them draw using glue or paste.

Since one-year-olds still find it hard to control their strength, work together with an adult.

Once the drawing is done, sprinkle plenty of salt to make it stick, then shake off the excess.

Finally, use paint to add color to the salty lines.

It will be a wonderful craft full of discoveries for one-year-olds.

T-shirt

Why not make some vibrant, summery T-shirts? If you turn it into an activity where you draw with colored ice, you can enjoy it together with children! First, cut white construction paper into the shape of a T-shirt.

Next, use colored ice to draw freely.

Using a variety of colors—red, blue, yellow, green, and more—will make for fun, expressive artwork.

Once you’ve finished drawing, let it dry.

When displaying them, we recommend hanging them on a string with clothespins to create a nice atmosphere.

You’ll end up with a lovely wall display that looks like laundry sparkling against the summer sky.