For 1-year-olds! Fall Craft Ideas [Part 2]

20 years of experience as a nursery teacher / kindergarten teacherhiyoko sensei
I’m Hiyoko-sensei, a former nursery school teacher from Hyogo Prefecture. Ever since I was five, my dream was to become a childcare worker, and before I knew it, 20 years had passed since I achieved that dream. Through singing and playing with the children, I kept working with the spirit of someone in their twenties, even as I increasingly felt my physical limits year by year (haha). From here on, I’d like to share helpful information carefully and thoughtfully, drawing on my on-site experience.

A must-see for teachers who want to enjoy autumn crafts with children!

This time, we’re sharing Part 2 of our autumn craft ideas recommended for one-year-olds.

We’ve gathered lots of ideas featuring motifs that let you fully experience autumn, such as acorns, fallen leaves, bagworms, and mushrooms.

We’re also introducing ideas that use techniques and materials likely to engage curious one-year-olds, so we’re sure they’ll dive in with sparkling eyes.

Feel free to use these for autumn craft play or wall decorations, and enjoy an artistic autumn together with the children.

Because what the children create is treated as artwork, we use the term “seisaku” (制作: production/creation) in the text.

For 1-year-olds! Fall Craft Ideas [Part 2] (1–10)

A hedgehog made with masking tape

A hedgehog craft idea made with colorful washi (masking) tape.

First, create a hedgehog base using construction paper.

It’s also fun to paint or draw the facial expression with paints or crayons.

Use masking tape to represent the hedgehog’s quills.

The key here is to let children stick the tape freely without deciding on exact positions or how to apply it.

Have them choose their favorite tapes from a wide selection and create their own designs.

Try this idea in childcare settings as a way to nurture children’s expressive skills and imagination.

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mutō

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Baked sweet potatoes made from old newspapers and origami

Let’s make roasted sweet potatoes using old newspapers and origami! Here’s how: crumple up newspaper into the shape of a roasted sweet potato, then stick wrinkled origami paper on top.

When wrinkling the origami, be careful not to tear it.

The crumpling helps develop children’s fine motor skills.

It might be fun to make roasted sweet potatoes in different sizes.

Also, if you let the children use their imagination when attaching the origami, the result will likely be a set of unique, individual pieces.

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miyabi

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Grapes made by crumpling origami paper

Here’s an idea for making grapes by crumpling origami paper that’s fun to create, too.

You’ll need purple and light purple origami paper, plus a plastic bag.

Choose a small, clear bag.

Once you have the materials, crumple each sheet of origami paper into a ball.

The texture feels nice, so I think you’ll enjoy the process.

After you’ve finished crumpling them all, put them into the plastic bag, then cut the bag into an inverted triangle shape to finish.

It clearly looks like grapes and has a cute charm to it.

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yamamoto

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For 1-Year-Olds! Fall Craft Ideas [Part 2] (11–20)

Cosmos Flowers with Cardboard Stamps

How about using cardboard as stamps to create cosmos flowers? First, the teacher can cut the cardboard into cosmos shapes.

At the same time, cut out round shapes about the same size as the cosmos shapes, and glue them together.

Next, attach the cardboard to the bottom of a plastic bottle, and your cardboard cosmos stamp is ready.

Then let the children freely stamp on drawing paper to create a lovely cosmos field! For the center of each cosmos, add a yellow round sticker, and you’re done.

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SAKI

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A perfectly round owl made from a paper plate

Here’s a craft idea for making an owl using a paper plate and origami paper.

First, tear the origami paper into pieces of any size you like.

Let the children help with this step.

Next, prepare a paper plate, apply glue all over it, and stick on the torn pieces of origami paper.

Finally, attach the owl’s facial features and other parts, and it’s done! Adults can attach the parts, but you can also put double-sided tape on the back to make them like stickers so the children can stick them on themselves.

Punch a hole and thread a string through it, and it becomes a cute hanging decoration for autumn.

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sasashina

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Autumn for the arts

Let’s try creating artworks with an autumn-in-the-arts theme that lets children’s free ideas shine.

Using methods like finger painting and decalcomania, have them draw freely on drawing paper.

Mount the pieces on brown construction paper and add a frame-inspired arrangement.

Finally, make and attach facial features with stickers or illustrations, then add a brush or fallen leaves to finish.

Using actual photos of the children and real leaves enhances the autumn feel.

It’s also recommended to display the children’s works and hold an exhibition at your nursery school or kindergarten.

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mutō

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Grapes made with rings

Here’s an easy way to make grapes using paper loops.

Prepare several long, narrow strips of purple origami paper in different shades and combine them.

Instead of simply linking the loops, cross them as you connect them to create a realistic grape cluster shape.

Once the shape is formed, secure a few spots with glue.

Attach a leaf at the end, and your delicious-looking grape cluster is complete.

Make several and stick them on the wall to create a seasonal wall decoration.

You can also prepare the paper loops for the grape clusters in advance.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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