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.

[For 4-year-olds] A collection of April craft ideas that capture the feeling of spring—like Easter and cherry blossoms (11–20)

Let’s look for spring! Making a magnifying glass

'Craft: Magnifying Glass' — Let’s make our own original magnifying glasses and go explore lots of springtime nature!

Let’s look for spring! Making a magnifying glass

Here’s how to make a magnifying glass that’s perfect for spring walks and bug hunting.

Prepare two pieces of thick paper with circular cutouts, construction paper, clear cellophane, tape, and colored pens.

Fold a rectangular piece of construction paper to make it sturdier, and shape it into the handle of the magnifying glass.

Attach the handle securely to the underside of one of the circular cutouts so it won’t come off.

Place the cellophane over the cutout opening and tape it in place, then trim any excess with scissors.

Finally, glue the second circular cutout on top to finish the magnifying glass.

Use colored pens to decorate it and create your own original design!

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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 trees in full bloom are dazzling, yet their petals fall quickly, giving them a fleeting, delicate beauty.

This time, we’ll show you how to make a sensory bottle that lets you enjoy that cherry blossom charm 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.

Gaze at the softly drifting blossoms and take your time to relax and feel soothed.

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Colorful Tulips Made from Scrap Materials

Let me introduce colorful tulips made from upcycled materials, featuring adorable, multicolored flowers.

Prepare a toilet paper roll, colored pens, paints, and brushes.

Gently flatten the toilet paper roll and draw the outline of a tulip.

Cut it into the tulip shape with scissors, then paint it.

Once the paint is dry, draw patterns on the inside to finish.

You don’t have to paint the inside, but doing so makes it look even more spring-like, so it’s recommended.

After adding patterns on the inside, your tulip is complete!

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Spring hanging scroll

Here’s a perfect spring wall decoration: a spring hanging scroll.

Prepare colored construction paper, tapioca straws, a tree branch, and tissue paper.

After choosing the base construction paper, glue a white sheet on top and attach the tree branch in the center.

Glue tissue paper onto pink and green construction paper, then cut them into circles to make cherry blossoms.

You can feel the change of seasons through the craft by adding cherry blossom petals and fresh green leaves.

Finally, glue the tapioca straws to the top and bottom, thread a string through, and your spring-themed hanging scroll is complete!

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Hanging decorations of the Sakura Dome

Introducing a hanging Sakura dome decoration, perfect for spring with its gently swaying pink hues.

Prepare a dome-shaped paper plate, tissue paper, curling ribbon, ribbon for hanging, origami paper, glue, and tape.

Glue torn pieces of tissue paper onto the paper plate, making sure there are no gaps.

Cut the curling ribbon and attach the strips to the inside of the paper plate, leaving small spaces between them.

Punch a hole in the center of the plate and thread the hanging ribbon through it.

Cut sakura shapes out of origami paper and stick them onto the front of the plate.

Your soft, spring-like hanging decoration is complete!

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A flower blooming on the water

A flower blooming on water♪ #AtHomePlay #EducationalPlay #EducationalVideo #Origami I adapted it with reference to NGK Insulators’ science site 🌸 Using thin calligraphy paper makes it open instantly, which is fun ☺️✨

A flower blooming on the water

Flowers that bloom on water make a wonderfully springlike craft.

The method is very simple: take origami cut into petal shapes and fold each petal inward toward the center.

Gently place it on the surface of water, and the petals will slowly open! It’s fun to see how each one unfolds.

It’s also recommended to draw flowers on white drawing paper and use those.

Since many flowers bloom in spring, try making them while observing real flowers.

If using scissors is difficult, make them together with a teacher.

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[For 4-year-olds] A collection of April craft ideas that feel like spring—Easter, cherry blossoms, and more (21–30)

Cherry-blossom viewing craft

Here’s a craft idea for cherry-blossom viewing using paper plates and tissues.

Prepare a paper plate, tissue paper (flower paper), tissues, glue, paint, and brushes.

Start by gluing torn pieces of flower paper to the center of the paper plate, then continue gluing around the plate to add volume.

To evoke cherry blossoms, use a brush to add color to the tissues.

Finish by placing a photo of the child or an animal in the center of the paper plate.

You could also decorate the tissues with cherry blossom petals cut from construction paper, or add favorite foods related to hanami for an extra cute touch.

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