Lovely childcare

Recommended for 1-year-olds! Craft play ideas and fun crafting techniques

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 as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

Creative activities are not only great for developing fine motor skills; they also let children touch a variety of materials, enjoy different textures, and express their own ideas—making them an essential part of healthy growth.

In this article, we’ll introduce craft ideas recommended for one-year-olds.

From projects that use various techniques to ones you can play with after making, it’s packed with fun, sensory-rich ideas.

We’ve gathered lots of activities that one-year-olds can enjoy, like crumpling paper and touching paint with their fingers.

Watch over the children’s expressions and creative gestures, and try making them together!

Because the children’s creations are regarded as works (art pieces), we use the term “seisaku” (制作) in the text to refer to them.

Recommended for 1-year-olds! Craft play ideas and fun crafting techniques (41–50)

Strawberries made with sensory play

Let’s try making something while enjoying the feel of paint! Here are some strawberry craft ideas using sensory play.

These ideas are perfect for anyone who wants to do a strawberry-themed project in spring.

You’ll need: bees, strawberries, hearts, caps (leaf tops), and a backing made from construction paper; paint; zipper-seal bags; round stickers; crayons; glue; and scissors.

As the children touch the paint inside the zipper-seal bags, we want to observe and support them while watching how they react.

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Spring laundry

Let’s have fun playing with colors! Here are some spring laundry-themed craft ideas.

Using paint for art projects is great for one-year-olds because it stimulates their senses and creativity.

By freely applying and mixing paint, they can develop self-expression and curiosity.

Making art with their hands and fingers also supports sensory growth by letting them enjoy different textures.

If you’d like to enjoy paint with children who are interested in it, here’s what you’ll need for the spring laundry craft: drawing paper, scissors, paint, origami paper, jute twine, paper towels, and craft glue.

Give it a try!

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Decorating tambourines is fun

Let's Play with the Rhythm of Handmade Instruments! Plate Tambourine

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!

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A turtle made with tissue paper

Let’s make a cute turtle using a paper plate and tissue paper.

First, tear the tissue paper by hand.

Prepare a few different colors.

Next, spread glue over the paper plate and stick the torn pieces of tissue paper onto it.

If you layer plenty of pieces, you can create a beautiful pattern.

Once the glue is dry, attach the turtle’s head, legs, and tail.

Finally, add the eyes and it’s complete! The turtle’s look changes depending on how the tissue paper is handled, giving each one a unique, charming personality.

Be sure to share stories from the crafting time with the guardians as well.

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wriggly caterpillar

How about making a cute, three-dimensional wiggly caterpillar? You’ll need colored construction paper, thick paper/cardboard, tissue paper, small black round stickers, double-sided tape, and scissors.

Cut the thick paper into circles, then have the children crumple tissue paper in their favorite colors and stick it on.

Be sure to apply double-sided tape to the thick paper beforehand.

Once you’ve made as many segments as you like, add the caterpillar’s eyes with the black round stickers to finish.

Arrange the segments freely to create and display your caterpillar’s shape.

Crumpling the fluffy tissue paper offers both visual and tactile stimulation that’s great for kids.

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Ladybugs and dandelions

We’re introducing how to make cute spring dandelions and round little ladybugs.

Please prepare the bases for the dandelions and the ladybugs ahead of time, teachers.

Stick double-sided tape on the dandelion flower area, and have the children attach torn, crumpled pieces of yellow tissue paper there.

For the ladybug’s spots, use black paint and make finger stamps; if using fingers is tricky, cotton swabs also make adorable stamps! Finally, attach the facial parts of the ladybug to finish.

They look very cute whether you mount them on a backing sheet or display them as they are.

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Puchi-Puchi Strawberry

@hoiku_ratty
Strawberries with a satisfyingly tactile feel 🍓 Popping Strawberries [Goal] Enjoy the process of becoming a strawberry while feeling the texture of the materials [Age] 1–2 years old [Materials] Bubble wrap, tissue paper, construction paper, round stickers Everyone, please give it a try! Thank you for reading to the end 😊 I’d be happy if you like and follow! Feel free to leave your thoughts or questions in the comments♪ ┈ This account shares: ✏️ Crafts / Weekly & Monthly Plans / Event Prep / Problem-Solving We collect easy-to-copy ideas to save you time on planning and help you enjoy your private life too 🪄 “There’s someone I don’t get along with…” “My salary doesn’t match the work!” We also offer free career change support and consultations for those in that situation 🙆🏻‍♀️ (Even just “I want to know what kinds of schools are out there” is OK!) ★ For consultations, visit the URL in the profile ★ @hoiku_ratty ┈Production ideas Production ideas Craft PlayChildcare craftsWork/Project Idea Nursery teacher / Childcare worker #Nursery School Craft March #March production April #April Production #Spring crafts ⁣Strawberry craft
♪ Original Song – Easy Nursery Crafts | Ratty 🐨 by Hoiku R – Easy Nursery Crafts | Ratty 🐨 by Hoiku R

When it comes to spring flavors, strawberries are a must! Here’s a strawberry craft that even young children can make.

Prepare bubble wrap, tissue paper, construction paper, and round stickers.

Shape the bubble wrap into a strawberry with the bubbly side facing outward.

Have the children crumple red or pink tissue paper and place it inside the strawberry shape you made.

Seal the opening with tape, then stick on the round stickers as strawberry seeds to finish.

For the calyx (leafy top), it’s best to cut it a bit larger.

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