Lovely childcare

[For 4-year-olds] A collection of April craft ideas that capture spring, such as Easter and cherry blossoms

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.
9 years of experience as a nursery school teacherShibata Risa
I am an active nursery school teacher with 9 years of experience. After graduating from university, I worked at a daycare center. The time I spent happily with children—playing piano, singing songs, and doing finger-play—are priceless memories to me. Currently, while raising three children of my own, I work at an after-school day service, engaging with children and providing individualized developmental support. Drawing on my diverse experiences as a childcare worker and as a mother, I hope to express and convey my thoughts through writing.

April marks the start of a new chapter with preschool entry and class promotions.

Many children may feel a mix of excitement and anxiety as they face new environments.

So this time, we’ve gathered craft ideas perfect for April that will brighten children’s feelings like the cheerful spring weather.

These ideas are full of spring-themed motifs like tulips, cherry blossoms, butterflies, and ladybugs!

By the time children turn four, they’ve developed basic daily habits and can do more things on their own.

We encourage you to enjoy making crafts by incorporating a variety of materials and trying new techniques.

Since the children’s creations are treated as artworks, we use the term “seisaku” as “creation” throughout the text.

[Age 4] A Collection of April Craft Ideas that Feel Like Spring—Easter, Cherry Blossoms, and More (71–80)

bamboo shoot

[Origami] How to fold a “Bamboo Shoot” <Yoshimoto Comedian>

bamboo shoot

In season in spring! Here’s an idea for making bamboo shoots with origami.

All you need is brown origami paper.

Speaking of bamboo shoots, their defining feature is how quickly they grow.

They’re also rich in dietary fiber and nutrients, and their unique texture and aroma are part of their charm.

Let’s try making this seasonal ingredient with origami.

When using this idea to create a bamboo shoot, the key is to make crisp creases and be mindful of the paper’s width.

The step where you fold in the layered paper requires finger strength, so it’s a good activity to do together with a parent or teacher.

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dandelion

[Origami Spring Flowers] Easy and Cute Dandelion Folding Method | Origami Dandelion

dandelion

Cute yellow flowers! Here’s an idea for making dandelions with origami.

You’ll need yellow origami paper, green origami paper, glue or double-sided tape, and scissors.

Dandelion flowers are characterized by many small petals radiating outward.

Using this idea, let’s make a dandelion flower from a single sheet of origami paper! Since scissors are used during the process, it’s best to work together with a parent or teacher.

Give it a try!

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Swaying horsetail

Here’s a craft idea featuring horsetails that you often see in spring.

You’ll make three types of parts: the paper-plate base, the horsetail pieces, and the mole pieces.

First, use brown paint and a sponge to stamp the upper half of a sheet of construction paper.

At the same time, stamp the entire paper plate with green paint.

Next, cut the construction paper into horsetail shapes.

From another sheet, cut out the mole parts and glue them together.

Finally, arrange and glue the horsetails and the mole onto the paper plate folded in half, and you’re done.

If you gently press and release one edge, the plate wobbles cutely!

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Making Easter eggs

On the April classroom wall! A childcare worker explains how to make Easter eggs (for 2- and 3-year-olds)

Making Easter eggs

In just the past few years, Easter seems to have suddenly become widespread.

You can find all kinds of items at variety stores and 100-yen shops.

With its soft, springlike vibe, Easter’s cuteness is likely to appeal to children as well.

Let’s have fun making the quintessential Easter item: Easter eggs! The activity of freely sticking masking tape onto paper with an egg shape drawn on it is enjoyable even for small children.

It also looks cute as a wall decoration.

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Easter garland

Easter Garland [Craft]

Easter garland

Let’s make the venue festive for the Easter event! Here are some ideas for Easter garlands made with construction paper.

Prepare construction paper in your favorite colors, decorative materials like stickers and washi tape, jute twine, a pencil, a ruler, double-sided tape or tape glue, scissors, and a hole punch.

Cut the construction paper into egg shapes and decorate them however you like! Using sparkly materials and patterned washi tape will make the finish even more vibrant.

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Rolling pea

Let me introduce an idea for “Rolling Peas” with cute faces.

First, use double-sided origami paper to make the pod.

Fold the paper in half, crease it, then open it and fold the top and bottom edges to the center line.

Fold it in half again and staple both ends.

Open the middle, and the pod is complete! Next, crumple tissue paper into three balls to make the peas, attach face parts to them, and line them up inside the pod.

Finally, add leaves to the pod to finish! Try to roll the tissue paper into balls of the same size.

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Snip-Snip Dandelion

Let’s try making a spring-like dandelion craft.

Cut construction paper into a rectangle and stick double-sided tape along one of the long edges.

Don’t peel the tape yet; from the opposite long edge, use scissors to make cuts from end to end.

Once you’ve finished the cuts, peel off the double-sided tape and roll the paper inward into a coil.

After rolling, flare out all the cut fringes to the outside.

This forms the dandelion flower.

Glue it onto a backing sheet, draw leaves with crayons, and you’re done! Adding spring insects like butterflies will make it even cuter.

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