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)

Swaying Little Bird

Here’s a craft idea for making a gently swaying little bird.

Cut out circular pieces for the bird’s head and body from construction paper, along with a beak piece.

Fold the body circle in half and open it; then, sticking only to one half and not going beyond the center line, glue on small torn pieces of tissue paper.

Attach the beak to the head circle and draw the eyes, then trace the child’s hand on construction paper for the wings.

Cut away the excess paper around the handprint.

Finally, glue the three parts together—and it’s done! Prepare several colors of construction paper and paints for making the handprints, and let the children create little birds in their favorite colors.

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Colorful Strawberry

[Spring Craft] Cute Bubble Wrap Stamps! Colorful Strawberries [Daycare/Kindergarten]

Colorful Strawberry

If you’re looking to incorporate lots of spring vibes into your crafts, this is a must-see.

Here’s a cute, colorful strawberry craft.

First, cut red construction paper into the shape of a strawberry.

Next, use about three paint colors of your choice to paint a bubble wrap sheet.

Finally, place the painted bubble wrap over the strawberry-shaped paper and stamp it.

Glue on the strawberry calyx made from green construction paper, and you’re done.

You’ll end up with plenty of colorful strawberries that reflect each child’s unique personality.

It’s easy to make, so give it a try!

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Flappy Butterfly

[Childcare Craft] Spring craft ♪ Cute, playable flapping butterfly | Cute flapping butterfly

Flappy Butterfly

Let’s make a cute little butterfly out of construction paper that flutters around flowers! Start by making a crease down the center of a rectangular sheet of construction paper.

Then, leaving about a 1 cm gap from the crease, fold so that the center forms a W shape.

While it’s folded, cut out a butterfly shape.

Make two slits in the center area and valley-fold only the middle part—your fluttering butterfly is complete.

Decorate it with torn pieces of origami paper, or add cute patterns with pens and stickers to create your own original design.

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four-leaf clover

How to fold a four-leaf clover with origami

four-leaf clover

This is an origami four-leaf clover that brings happiness.

Fold the origami paper into a triangle, then fold it into a triangle again, and open the pocket into a square.

Open it vertically to form a diamond shape, then shape it like a throwing star.

After that, keep folding the finer parts to create the clover’s rounded look.

If you fill the classroom wall with this lucky motif, everyone will naturally feel warm and happy! If you prepare several kinds of green origami with slightly different shades, it will look even more vibrant.

You can almost hear the children say, “Let’s go look for four-leaf clovers!”

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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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Making a caterpillar by linking paper loops

[Spring Craft] Easy as linking paper loops! A handmade caterpillar toy 🐛

Making a caterpillar by linking paper loops

Here’s a craft idea for a caterpillar that kids will recognize from picture books.

Please prepare green and yellow construction paper.

Cut it into strips about 20 cm long, then loop and link the strips together.

This will be the body.

Next, make a face out of construction paper and attach it to finish.

You’re free to choose the face’s design and expression.

Don’t forget to prepare pipe cleaners for the antennae.

Using silver or white will give it a natural look.

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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)

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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