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 Activity Ideas (51–60)
cardboard camera
Let me introduce a cardboard camera that’s perfect for a walk.
Prepare cardboard, cellophane, a paper cup, and double-sided tape.
Cut two pieces of cardboard to the size of the camera you want to make.
Take a paper cup that’s cut in half horizontally with slits cut vertically, place it against the cardboard, then cut out a lens shape and fit it in.
Stick colored cellophane over the top, glue the cardboard pieces together, and you’re done! Try adding a yarn strap for walks or changing the cellophane colors and decorating it as you like!
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!
Stained glass made with plastic bags
Let’s make stained glass while imagining a winter scene! Handmade stained glass might seem a bit challenging at first, but by using a plastic bag, even 4-year-olds can enjoy the activity.
First, cut black construction paper to create a frame, and tape a plastic bag to fit the frame.
Next, have the children draw any picture they like on the plastic bag with a permanent marker.
Finally, place crumpled aluminum foil behind it and secure it—and it’s done! When crumpling the aluminum foil to create texture, the trick is not to press too hard.
Everyone is sure to feel warmed by the children’s unique and charming creations!
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!
Craft play ideas for 4-year-olds (61–70)
Space Travel Game
Let me introduce a handmade space travel game.
Prepare 10 round magnets, round stickers, straws, and construction paper, and let’s make it together.
For the spaceship, attach a straw to a magnet, stick on a round sticker, and draw a rocket illustration.
Next, create a flight course for the spaceship on a base sheet of construction paper.
Cut black construction paper into circles and glue magnets at the center to make black holes.
Stick several of these black holes along the course, and you’re done.
Pilot the spaceship and try to reach the goal without getting swallowed by the black holes.
Handmade microphone
Let me introduce a cute original microphone craft.
Prepare a plastic wrap tube, a capsule toy container, origami paper, and yarn, and let’s make it.
Wrap the origami paper around the plastic wrap tube so that a bit of the paper sticks out on either the left or right side.
On the side where the paper sticks out, tape on the yarn, crumple the extra paper to make it small, and tuck it into the center of the wrap tube—this completes the microphone handle.
Next, place the capsule toy container on top of the wrap tube and tape it so it won’t fall off, and your microphone is complete! Draw a switch on the handle, and add illustrations or stickers as you like to create your very own original microphone.
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.
