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 feel like spring—Easter, cherry blossoms, and more (21–30)

Plum blossoms perfect for the New Year

[New Year Origami] Easy and cute plum blossom made with one sheet of origami / How to fold origami plum blossoms

Plum blossoms perfect for the New Year

The video uses 7.5 cm origami paper, but that may be too small for a three-year-old, so try using regular-size origami paper.

Fold the paper in half into a square and open it, then fold the top and bottom edges to meet the crease.

Repeat the same process with the left and right edges.

Flatten the folded left and right sections to make two boat shapes, then squash both ends of each boat into squares to create four petals.

Turn the paper over and make cuts about halfway along the center creases on all four edges.

Fold the corners created by the cuts slightly inward.

Fold the front petals and the remaining four corners the same way.

Draw the stamen in the center with a pen, and you’re done.

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Plum Blossom Ornament

[Origami] Ume Blossom Ornament Made Together with a 3-Year-Old | “Origami” Ume Blossom created with a 3-year-old child.

Plum Blossom Ornament

Here’s an idea for making a “Plum Blossom Ornament” with origami.

There’s a cutting step, so please have scissors ready.

Fold the origami paper into a triangle and align the top corner with the center of the base.

At this point, press only the center to make a crease mark, then unfold without making a full fold.

Fold the top corner down to meet the crease mark, then fold the left and right corners up toward the corners of the folded-down triangle.

Flip the paper over, bring the left and right edges to the center, and fold neatly so that the left side is on the bottom.

Fold up the triangle on the back and return it to its original position, draw a cutting line, cut along it, and you’re done!

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Origami cherry blossom garland

Garland with Cherry Blossoms! Introducing ones made from origami! Perfect for spring decorations! | DIY How to make a paper cherry blossom garland [Tukuru]

Origami cherry blossom garland

Why not decorate your room with a garland of cherry blossoms made from origami? Here’s an idea for a sakura garland created by cutting and linking pieces of origami paper.

Just like when you make an origami star, fold the paper into a pentagon, draw the shape of sakura petals, and cut it out with scissors.

When you unfold it, you’ll have five petals with the same pattern.

Feel free to draw any petal design you like—the surprise when you open it is part of the fun.

To connect them into a garland, make a single cut on one part of each blossom and link them together.

You can connect them horizontally or vertically to create a delightful garland!

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A rabbit basket made from paper plates

[Easter Wall Art] Bunny Basket Made from a Paper Plate

A rabbit basket made from paper plates

The rabbit mark is so cute! Here’s an idea for making a rabbit basket out of paper plates.

It’s a charming project you can easily try with materials you already have at home or in the classroom.

You’ll need crayons, paint, brushes, masking tape, glue, scissors, construction paper, and paper plates.

Use crayons and paint to enjoy a resist painting technique on cut paper plates! Choosing your favorite colors is exciting for both kids and adults.

Be sure to try your own free combinations of colors.

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Sakura made of yarn

No knitting! Cherry blossoms made with yarn 🌸

Sakura made of yarn

Here’s an idea for making yarn cherry blossoms without knitting.

First, prepare white and red yarn and a template shaped like the letter “凸.” The template should have slits at the tips.

For detailed measurements, refer to various websites or homepages.

Then follow the steps to wrap the yarn around the template and form the cherry blossom petals.

Since you’ll be gluing the pieces together, there’s no need to knit.

Even people unfamiliar with knitting can try this easily.

If it doesn’t come out well, I recommend adjusting the size of the thick paper template.

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Accordion-folded butterfly

How to make a cute 3D accordion butterfly from a single sheet of origami! An easy folding method even for 2- and 3-year-old preschoolers [Sora’s Origami]

Accordion-folded butterfly

A beautiful silhouette is the highlight! Here’s an idea for an accordion-fold butterfly.

Accordion folding creates fine pleats by making alternating creases in the paper.

When you open the accordion-folded paper, it takes on a fan-like shape, and by using this technique you can make three-dimensional shapes and items with movement—highly recommended! You can complete an accordion butterfly with just a single sheet of origami paper in your favorite color or pattern, so it’s easy to get started.

Definitely give it a try!

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A butterfly that makes swipe art fun

Recommended for preschoolers! Here’s a fun butterfly idea using swipe art.

Swipe art is an art style that uses a swiping motion—sliding your finger or a tool—while drawing.

Colors spread like flowing paint, and you can enjoy unpredictable blends while creating something dynamic! This time, let’s make the butterfly from the popular children’s book “The Very Hungry Caterpillar.” It’s a great way to enjoy the mixing and changing of colors.

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