[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.
- Fun July Craft Ideas for 2-Year-Olds: Summer Wall Decorations
- [For 2-Year-Olds] Craft Ideas to Enjoy in August! Incorporate Summery Motifs and Techniques
- Craft ideas perfect for June for 2-year-olds
- [Childcare] Fun craft ideas and craft activities perfect for summer
- [For 2-year-olds] A collection of craft ideas useful for winter childcare
- [Childcare] Spring craft ideas to enjoy with 2-year-olds! Techniques and materials included
- [For 2-Year-Olds] A Collection of Fun Craft Ideas to Make in May
- [Childcare] Recommended for 3-year-olds! Craft activity ideas
- For 1-year-olds! Craft ideas recommended for August
- [For 3-year-olds] A roundup of craft ideas to enjoy in summer! Introducing various motifs and techniques
- [Childcare] A roundup of craft ideas for 1-year-olds, perfect for summer
- [Childcare] Summer wall display ideas: fun summer craft activities
- [Childcare] August Crafts: Cute Ideas to Make in Summer
[Childcare] A collection of summer craft ideas to enjoy with 2-year-olds (41–50)
Corn with stamps
How about using corn—something kids love—as a summer crafting motif? Both a stamp made with bubble wrap and one made with cardboard are great options.
Prepare the base corn and leaves ahead of time using colored construction paper.
Make one stamp by wrapping a small ball of cotton with bubble wrap and securing it with a rubber band, and another by rolling a strip of cardboard into a coil and taping it.
Use yellow paint as the “ink” for both, and enjoy freely dabbing and stamping away!
Shaved ice stamping with sponges and bubble wrap
This is a shaved ice craft where you add color with stamps to ice made from construction paper.
If the teacher prepares the shaved ice and the bowl, the children only need to stamp, so even infants can enjoy it.
Using various materials for the stamps—such as sponges or bubble wrap—lets kids appreciate different shapes and textures.
Prepare several paint colors and let the children choose their favorites.
After making them, they’ll also be perfect as wall decorations in the classroom.
Give it a try!
Finger-painted ice cream
How about making ice cream art with mess-free finger painting? Put a sheet of drawing paper with paint on it into a zip-top bag, then trace over it from the outside to finger paint! Since clothes won’t get dirty, it lightens the load for parents, too.
Once you’ve created patterns with the paint and let it dry, just cut the paper into ice cream shapes and stick them onto cones.
Imagining the flavors of ice cream with all those mixed colors is half the fun.
Enjoy creating your delicious ice cream art!
A rainbow fish made with handprints
How about making colorful fish with handprint stamps that will make you feel happy just by looking at them? Paint different colors on the children’s palms to create a rainbow effect.
Then simply press their hands onto drawing paper, cut out a fish shape, and add eyes and a mouth to finish.
If you stick the fish onto a background decorated with light blue raffia (suzuran) tape, you can create an even cooler, breezier atmosphere.
The cool sensation of the paint on their palms will likely boost the kids’ excitement! If painting the hands is difficult, try making an original ink pad using a cleaning cloth (duster) and put it to use!
Large-scale ocean production
Why not create a bold ocean-themed wall display using large poster paper? First, paint the poster paper to make the ocean background, then scatter pieces of tissue paper you’ve cut up on top.
This will help express the waves and shimmer of the sea.
Next, use construction paper and PE tape to make sea creatures like octopuses, squids, and jellyfish.
Have fun making them together with the children! Once the creatures are finished, stick them wherever you like to complete the display.
Adding extras like seashells and wakame seaweed will really enhance the atmosphere.
Make it a wonderful wall display by making the most of the children’s ideas.
footprint-shaped watermelon
Why not make a cute watermelon using footprints? Stamp both feet in bright red on construction paper to represent the watermelon’s flesh.
Add the rind and seeds with green and black, and you’re done! The footprints also make a wonderful keepsake to record growth.
Summer is a time when children grow especially fast, so create a lovely piece that lets families celebrate that growth together.
Display the finished pieces side by side and enjoy a quiz-style game with the children: “Whose feet are these?” It’s sure to become a memorable page of your summer.
[Ages 0–2] Crinkly Tissue Paper Snail
![[Ages 0–2] Crinkly Tissue Paper Snail](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/yReMaf-mYdg/sddefault.jpg)
A recommended craft for children aged 0 to 2 is making snails using tissue paper.
Beforehand, the teacher should cut out the snail’s body and eyes from construction paper.
Have the children crumple lots of tissue paper in their favorite colors and stuff it into a plastic bag.
Once it’s filled to a certain extent, seal the bag and shape it into a round form.
It’s best for the teacher to handle the shaping step as well.
When it’s ready, attach it to the snail’s body to finish.
You’ll have a colorful and cute snail!
