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.

[For 2-year-olds] Feel the Warmth of Spring! A Fun Collection of April Craft Ideas (1–10)

Spring Stroll Bag

Introducing a handmade walk bag for storing the treasures you find on your strolls.

Prepare a zippered storage bag, round stickers and washi tape, raffia tape (suzuran tape), felt-tip pens, and cloth duct tape.

Stick a strip of duct tape with the child’s name on the front of the storage bag in a visible spot.

Decorate the surface of the bag freely with round stickers and washi tape.

Reinforce the upper left and right edges of the bag by sandwiching them with duct tape, then use a hole punch to make holes.

Braid the raffia tape to a length that fits over the children’s shoulders, thread it through the holes in the bag, and you’re done.

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Sensory Bottle Made with Cherry Blossom Petals

Spring “sensory play”: a cherry blossom sensory bottle #cherryblossom #babytoys #sensoryplay #hanami #shorts #sensoryplay #educational #kids

Sensory Bottle Made with Cherry Blossom Petals

When you think of spring, many of you probably picture cherry blossoms.

Cherry blossoms in full bloom are very gorgeous, but they fall quickly and have a fleeting quality.

This time, I’ll show you how to make a sensory bottle that lets you enjoy the beauty of cherry blossoms for a long time.

The method is very simple: put liquid laundry starch and cherry blossoms into an empty bottle, then secure the lid with glue, and you’re done.

Adding cotton balls or beads is also recommended.

As you watch the cherry blossoms gently drift and sway, take your time to relax and let yourself be soothed.

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A bed for Little Broad Bean made of cotton

The picture book Sora Mame-kun’s Bed is hugely popular even among two-year-olds.

Here’s a craft activity using that book as a theme: making Sora Mame-kun’s bed out of cotton.

Prepare green construction paper, cotton, glue, and a piece of construction paper cut into the shape of Sora Mame-kun.

Cut the green construction paper into the shape of a pod to create the base.

Apply glue to the pod, then attach the cotton so it has a nice, fluffy volume all over.

Have the children draw Sora Mame-kun’s facial expression with crayons and stick him onto the cotton bed to finish.

It’s best to adjust the amount of glue together with the teacher as you go.

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[Age 2] Feel the Warmth of Spring! A Collection of Fun April Craft Ideas (11–20)

Sticky Felt Balloon

Here’s an idea for making balloons that showcase the soft, fluffy texture of felt.

First, cut light blue construction paper into the shape of a balloon.

Next, cut three colors of felt into triangles or squares.

Finally, use wood glue to attach the felt pieces onto the balloon, and make a handle with yarn to finish.

It’s also cute to display the balloon as if an animal or character is holding it.

Adjust tasks like cutting the paper and using scissors based on children’s ages and interests.

Besides felt, it’s also great to try attaching various materials like ribbons or beads to the balloon.

Give it a try for inspiration!

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Cherry blossom petals made with coffee filters

@hoiku.labo
[No paint needed, easy♪] Cherry blossom petals made with coffee filters 🌸Childcare Nursery teacher / Childcare worker Kindergarten Teacher Childcare job openings Childcare Column #NurseryTeacherThings #IWantToConnectWithChildcareWorkers #Nursery School Craft #DaycarePreparation Nursery School Practicum Childcare student Aspiring childcare worker Childcare Job Lab Nursery teacher skills Job change activities #JobChange #nursery_teacher_job_change Nursery teacher employment Production #Craft #Wall Creation #CoffeeFilter #Wall Creation Spring childcare crafts
♬ Strawberry – Prod. By Rose

Color with water-based markers! Let me show you how to make cherry blossom petals using coffee filters.

You’ll need white coffee filters, water-based markers, scissors, a spray bottle, and old paper like newspaper.

First, color the coffee filter with the water-based markers.

You can draw spirals, or straight lines vertically or horizontally.

Using 2–3 colors of markers lets you enjoy the blended effect! Next, spray the coffee filter with water.

Finally, once it’s dry, cut the coffee filter into petal shapes and you’re done.

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Let’s decorate with springtime natural items!

@hoikushisatomi
Capture spring: Try preserving flowers and plants as a piece while they’re still beautiful! Note: They’ll last on display for about 2–3 weeks. If you want them to last longer, press the flowers first and then create your piece!work #LifeWithKids #NurseryTeacherDailyLife Cute #crafts #diy Nursery teacher / Childcare worker Translation
3:03 PM – Sharou

Let’s decorate with spring’s natural treasures! We’ll introduce a perfect spring craft you can make by collecting fallen flowers and weeds on a walk.

First, place a sheet of cooking parchment under a frame-shaped piece of construction paper, and apply OPP (clear) tape over the opening.

Peel the tape backing, flip it over so the sticky side is up, and arrange your collected flowers on it.

Seal with another layer of OPP tape, trim the excess, and you’re done! It will look nice for about 2–3 weeks; if you want it to last longer, press the flowers first and then make it.

Decorating the paper frame is cute, too—give it a try!

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Colorful flowers made with bag stamps

https://www.tiktok.com/@niconico_mama/video/7211125141164592385

Make it with a plastic-bag stamp! Here’s a craft perfect for spring: a flower field.

First, tie the bottom of a plastic bag and turn it inside out, then blow in some air and tie it closed.

Next, put out your favorite paint colors and dab paint onto the bottom of the bag.

Stamp it onto construction paper to create flower shapes! Use lots of colors to build your own flower field.

Adding decorations like glitter makes it extra cute.

It doesn’t get your hands very dirty, so it’s easy to try.

Be sure to make it together with the kids!

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