Craft activity ideas for 4-year-olds
By the time children are four, their fine motor skills become more refined—they can use scissors and glue more smoothly—and as their language develops, their imaginative world expands, greatly broadening the range of crafts they can do.
Let’s actively incorporate a variety of craft activities using different materials in daily childcare to stimulate their five senses more and more!
This time, we’re introducing craft play ideas recommended for four-year-olds.
We’ve gathered a wide range of ideas—from event-themed crafts like Halloween and Christmas, to toys they can make and play with, to wall decorations that reflect the seasons.
Use these as a reference and, while drawing on the children’s free ideas, try creating wonderful, personality-filled works together.
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[Age 4] Craft Play Ideas (71–80)
Moving Egg
@riimama.asobi Do you know this?! A dinosaur egg that moves unpredictably 🦖🥚 It’s such a simple craft but super fun 😆❣️ It moves like it’s really alive! My elementary school daughter was thrilled, too ♡ If you press too hard it’ll get squished, so it seems suitable for kids around 3–4 years old who can control their strength 🫶#AtHomePlay#StayHomeTimeIdeas for at-home playworkHow to spend the summer vacation#HandmadeToys#NurseryTeacherMom#ChildcareWorkerMomParentingSimple craftEducational toy#EducationalPlayElementary school craftSummer Vacation CraftDinosaur EggLet's make and play
Idol – YOASOBI
This is a toy egg made of aluminum foil that moves unpredictably.
Everyone gets super excited by its mysterious motion.
To make it, draw a picture on the surface of the aluminum foil and shape the foil into a pouch.
Put one marble inside, seal it up, and shake it vigorously inside a lidded container.
This part is really fun, too.
Then take it out and it’s done.
Because a hollow space forms around the marble, when you place it on your palm and move it, the egg makes very curious movements that are lots of fun.
Give it a try!
Snowflake made with origami
Beautiful, eye-catching snowflakes that look festive when displayed on a wall.
Although they’re symmetrical, geometric patterns, you can enjoy making them even with a 4-year-old using origami cutouts.
First, fold the paper into a triangle twice, then open it once.
Fold the left and right sides together, and fold it in half again.
Leaving the folded “loop” side uncut, draw any shapes you like, then cut along the lines with scissors and unfold to reveal a lovely snowflake pattern.
Be careful not to cut off the looped (folded) edge.
Finally, when you open the paper, the excitement of “I wonder what shape it became?” is part of the fun—and it also helps develop thinking skills.
Cup-and-ball toy made with paper cups
As a winter craft idea that lets kids enjoy both play and learning, I recommend making a cup-and-ball toy (kendama) out of paper cups.
Using familiar materials like paper cups and kite string, this kendama is easy for 4-year-olds to enjoy.
Letting children draw freely on the cups also stimulates their expressive and creative abilities.
When they complete their very own kendama, they’ll feel a sense of accomplishment and attachment, making them even more engaged in play! It’s perfect for New Year’s holiday fun, so give it a try.
Artworks created using natural materials
April has just the right climate and is the perfect season for walks and playing in the playground.
Here’s an activity for creating artworks using natural materials like leaves and branches found outdoors.
Prepare a container to collect fallen leaves and other items.
If children decorate their own container with stickers or markers, they’ll feel more attached to it and enjoy the activity even more.
Use cotton swabs to apply glue to the collected leaves and flowers, then stick them onto construction paper.
When placing the items, it’s important to value the child’s sensibilities and let them lead the process.
Once finished, display the pieces and enjoy the artwork!
Shinkansen
Perfect for kids who love vehicles! Let’s make a movable Shinkansen (bullet train).
Recommended for children ages 4 and up.
First, cut a straw to match the length of a toilet paper roll core, and attach it to the top of the core.
Decorate it by using vinyl tape to create the Shinkansen design and drawing windows with a pen.
Finally, thread some kite string through the straw, and it’s done! Children can play by each holding one end of the string with a friend, or enjoy it as a wall-mounted toy—there are lots of ways to have fun.
You can make it even more exciting by increasing the number of trains or creating different types of trains to expand the play.
In conclusion
How did you like the craft ideas for 4-year-olds? You can make all kinds of fun things using familiar items like paper cups, paper plates, and milk cartons.
If you find an idea that kids might enjoy, be sure to try making it.
It could also be fun to use these ideas as inspiration to come up with even more wonderful crafts.