Lovely childcare

[For 2-year-olds] Feel the warm spring! Fun April craft ideas collection

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.
Nursery Teacher Mom Writertsukada moe
After working for five years at an after-school childcare club and three years at a nursery school, I began working as a freelance writer. I’m a mother of two children. Inspired by playing the flute in the school wind ensemble in elementary school, I joined a jazz club at university. I’ve also incorporated ukulele and piano performance into childcare. Playing, laughing, feeling sad, feeling frustrated—through all kinds of experiences, I want children to grow.

The new school year is an exciting season for both adults and children.

Our hearts are full of anticipation about the fun that awaits with the teachers and friends we’ll be spending time with.

For April, why not choose creative ideas featuring bright, spring-like motifs?

This time, we’ve gathered ideas that are easy for 2-year-olds to try, as well as projects that use recycled materials and various textures.

We hope children can build many joyful experiences while we stay close to their needs.

If you’re unsure about what to make, please use these ideas as a reference.

Because the children’s creations are treated as works of art, we refer to them as “seisaku” (productions/creations) in the text.

[Age 2] Feel the warm spring! A collection of fun April craft ideas (71–80)

[Bleeding Painting] 3D Strawberry

[No paint needed] Make bleed-style art with water-based pens! How to draw a cute strawberry [Daycare/Kindergarten]

[Bleeding Painting] 3D Strawberry

Let’s make strawberries while enjoying a bleeding art effect using coffee filters.

Prepare some filters and let the kids draw freely with red and pink water-based markers—scribbling is perfectly fine.

Next, use a white crayon to draw the seeds.

When they’re done, mist the filter with water to let the ink bleed; once it has spread nicely, let it air-dry or use a hair dryer to dry it.

Stuff tissues inside the filter, then stick the edges together with double-sided tape to form a strawberry shape.

Finally, add leaves made from construction paper, and it’s complete!

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[Stamp] Pon-pon Ladybug

[Crafts] Recommended right after moving up a grade! Low-stress crafts for infants [Nursery/Kindergarten]

[Stamp] Pon-pon Ladybug

Let me introduce a ladybug craft that kids can enjoy by stamping with pom-poms.

For this activity, you’ll use red construction paper, paint, and a tambo (pom-pom stamper).

Pour some paint onto a paper plate and have the children stamp their favorite colors onto the construction paper.

Using larger paper reduces the risk of going off the edge and lets kids enjoy stamping more freely.

Once the stamping is done, cut the paper into a circle and make a small slit.

Overlap the cut edges and glue them to create a three-dimensional shape, then attach chenille stem antennae and eye pieces to finish.

Since chenille stems have wire inside and can be sharp, be sure to secure the ends with tape so they’re covered and safe.

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[Paper Core] Cute Honeybee

[Daycare/Kindergarten] How to Make a Cute “Bee” ♪ Easy with a Paper Tube [Upcycled Materials]

[Paper Core] Cute Honeybee

Would you like to make a cute little bee using a toilet paper roll? First, wrap the roll with yellow construction paper.

To make it look like a bee, wrap two thin strips of black construction paper around the lower part of the roll.

Also, cut out the bee’s facial parts from the yellow paper and assemble them in advance.

Let the children draw freely on white construction paper; using techniques like wax-resist is fine, too.

Once the drawing is done, cut it into wing shapes, then attach the wings and the face to the toilet paper roll to finish.

Please have an adult handle the steps that involve cutting with scissors and gluing pieces together.

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[For 2-Year-Olds] Feel the Warmth of Spring! A Collection of Fun April Craft Ideas (81–90)

Handprint Art: Cherry Blossom Tree

Crafts: 4 Recommended Handprint Art Ideas for Spring [Daycare/Kindergarten]

Handprint Art: Cherry Blossom Tree

When it comes to spring flowers, cherry blossoms are the first that come to mind.

Here, we’re introducing an easy handprint art activity to make a cherry blossom tree.

For preparation, draw the tree trunk on white construction paper using paint or a pen.

Children will use paint to stamp their handprints over the trunk, as if making the blossoms bloom.

Prepare several shades of pink paint with different depths of color.

In addition to handprints, using fingertips to stamp works well too.

Enjoy the look of the paint and the feel of stamping, and let kids freely express their own cherry blossom trees.

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Colorful butterfly

[Preschool Craft] Spring Craft! Colorful Paper Butterflies Made with Construction Paper

Colorful butterfly

Perfect for spring! Let’s make colorful, cute butterflies.

As a pre-step, have an adult cut out the butterfly’s wings and head pieces from construction paper.

Once you’ve glued those together, let the children stick on stickers to decorate the wings.

The more colorful the better, so please prepare a variety of colors.

After they finish sticking the stickers, attach pipe-cleaner antennae with tape, draw the face, and you’re done! Changing the color of the construction paper for the wings will give a different look.

Be sure to prepare several colors and let the children choose their favorite.

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Shirokuma-chan’s Hotcakes

Let’s jump into the world of picture books! Here are some ideas inspired by Shirokuma-chan’s Pancakes.

The heartwarming picture book Shirokuma-chan’s Pancakes, in which Shirokuma-chan makes warm, fluffy pancakes and everyone eats together, is beloved by both children and adults.

This time, let’s try creating a scene from the book! It’s unique how mixing shaving foam with craft glue can recreate the fluffy texture of pancakes.

Give it a try!

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Cute Easter eggs

[April Craft Ideas for Preschool] Easter Egg Wall Decorations 🥚🐰 #preschoolcrafts #nurseryt eacher #teachingideas #traineenurseryteacher #teacherlife #withkids #constructionpaper #papercrafts #Easter

Cute Easter eggs

In April, we celebrate Easter, which commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Here’s a perfect craft idea for the occasion.

First, cut egg-shaped bases out of construction paper.

An adult should handle this step.

Have the children use crayons or other materials to draw their favorite patterns on the bases.

It’s also nice to decorate them with stickers.

If you’re using them for a wall display, prepare the egg bases in several colors to make the decorations look colorful and cute.

Once the drawing and decorating are finished, they’re done.

You can display them as they are, or add paper bunny parts to make them look even more Easter-like and charming.

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In conclusion

We introduced craft ideas with bright, April-themed motifs that are perfect for two-year-olds.

All of these ideas seem like ones children will enjoy diving into.

It also sounds fun to add more motifs or adapt the techniques for your own twist.

Be sure to enjoy your April crafts together with the kids!