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 Warmth of Spring! Fun April Craft Ideas (41–50)

horsetail

[Origami] How to Fold a 'Horsetail' <Yoshimoto Comedians>

horsetail

When spring arrives, horsetail shoots pop up above the ground.

Horsetail is one of the plants that signal the coming of spring.

When you go out for a walk, try looking for them along riverbanks and embankments.

Let’s make this familiar plant, horsetail, with origami! There are quite a few slightly complicated steps, so be sure to fold along with an adult or a teacher.

Horsetail often grows in clusters, so make lots of them and decorate! If you display them together with spring creatures like butterflies and ladybugs, it’s a fun idea that will let you feel spring indoors, too.

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[Age 2] Feel the warm spring! Fun April Craft Ideas (51–60)

Smile Flower

How to fold an origami flower! Easy enough for kids♪

Smile Flower

Spring is the season when it gets warmer and insects and plants come to life, isn’t it? Among the flowers that show us their cute faces in spring, this time I’ll show you how to make a smiling “Smile Flower.” First, fold the paper in half both ways to make creases, then open it.

Fold all four corners toward the center point.

Once that’s done, repeat the same step one more time.

Next, fold down each of the corners gathered at the center one by one.

Try folding as if you’re opening flower petals.

Fold down the inner corners in the same way, and you’re finished.

Lastly, draw a cheerful smile in the center of the flower!

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Spring snack making

[Kindergarten/Preschool] Spring Craft / Easy / How to Make a Strawberry Cake ♡

Spring snack making

Here’s a spring snack-making craft activity.

Prepare construction paper, paint, tissue paper, pastel crayons, and paper cups to make a delicious-looking strawberry cake.

Paint the paper cup to use it as the cake base.

Tear, crumple, and glue the tissue paper to look like cream.

Add strawberries made from construction paper to finish! Gluing the tissue paper with some volume gives it a three-dimensional look, making it resemble a real cake.

Cutting and gluing can also be good practice for using glue and scissors!

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tree

[Origami] Easy Tree Folding Method with Audio Commentary ☆ Origami Tree Tutorial Tatsukuri

tree

Enjoy spring nature with origami too! Here are some tree ideas.

You’ll need two 7.5 cm square sheets of origami paper and glue or craft adhesive.

It’s a lovely origami project you can enjoy with children while feeling the warmth of spring.

We’ll make a tree using 7.5 cm squares, but you can adjust the paper size to create a tree in whatever size you like! By using glue or craft adhesive to firmly secure the leaves and trunk, you’ll improve the finished look as well.

It’s a fun idea that uses simple materials to express a spring landscape with origami—highly recommended.

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Dandelion Drum

@picoton_craft
Welcome spring with an easy craft: a dandelion × den-den daiko (Japanese pellet drum) made from paper plates!#HandmadeToys Simple craft Translation #dandelion #handcraftideas
♬ Cute – Aurel Surya Lie

Dandelions transform into adorable instruments! Here’s an idea for making a dandelion den-den daiko (hand drum) with paper plates.

You’ll need two paper plates with a rim, a wooden chopstick, green masking tape, ribbon, and beads.

Wrap the chopstick all the way around with green masking tape so it’s safe to use.

Draw dandelions on the outside of the two paper plates, then treat the chopstick wrapped in green tape as the stem and attach it to the inside.

Next, attach ribbons to the left and right sides, and tie beads to the ends of the ribbons on the outside.

Stack and fasten the two paper plates together, and you’re done.

When you spin it, the beads hit the plates and make a sound!

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Dandelion fluff made from raffia tape (Suzuran tape)

It looks like the fluffy seeds could float away! Here’s an idea for making dandelion fluff with raffia tape.

You’ll need white raffia tape, scissors, and vinyl tape.

After wrapping the raffia tape, bundle it together, split it finely with your fingertips, and secure it with vinyl tape—this simple method is the charm of the idea.

The more finely you split the tape, the fluffier it turns out, which is really fun! Be sure to try it for a spring craft project.

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Dandelion made from a straw stamp

Let’s make lots of tiny, cute dandelions using a straw stamp! Once you have your straw, snip small slits into the end with scissors.

The length of the cuts will change the size of the flowers, so try different lengths.

Then dip it in yellow paint and stamp it onto paper to make a bunch of adorable dandelions bloom! You can draw stems and leaves with crayons, and using paper cups, origami paper, or wrapping paper to create vases or bouquets would also look lovely.

How about decorating your room with these simple and super cute dandelions?

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