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)

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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Japanese bush warbler

[Made with One Sheet of Origami] Easy and Cute Bush Warbler (Facing Left) Folding Tutorial ◇ Origami Japanese Bush Warbler — Spring Little Bird, Uguisu ◇

Japanese bush warbler

‘Hoo-hokekyo!’ You can almost hear the beautiful song of the Japanese bush warbler! Let me show you an idea for making a bush warbler out of origami.

All you need is origami paper, black round stickers, and a white pen.

The bird you’ll make with this idea has a round silhouette that captures the warbler’s charm—so cute! If you also make plum blossoms from origami or construction paper and display them together with your origami warbler, it creates a lovely, atmospheric scene.

Give it a try and have fun making it!

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[For 4-year-olds] April craft ideas that feel like spring—Easter, cherry blossoms, and more (31–40)

Cherry blossoms for indoor hanami (flower viewing)

[Easy] Cherry Blossom Wall Decorations 🌸 Enjoy Hanami Indoors 🌸 [Origami & Tissue Paper] All from the 100-yen shop ✨ Paper Craft DIY Cherry Blossoms. Origami

Cherry blossoms for indoor hanami (flower viewing)

How about making a wall decoration so you can enjoy cherry blossom viewing indoors? Let’s fill an entire wall with flowers and have fun.

All you need is tissue paper you can buy at a 100-yen shop.

Stack five sheets and fold them accordion-style.

After folding, staple the center, then gently separate the layers so they don’t tear.

Once all the layers are fluffed out, you’ll have a large, round flower base.

Next, make sakura blossoms from origami and stick them on top.

Create the tree trunk with brown paper, attach the flower section, and you’re done.

Making a few in different colors will add depth.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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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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strawberry tray

How to make a strawberry tray 🍓💓 How to make a box that holds lots of sweets! Origami trinket holder ✨ #shorts

strawberry tray

It’s exciting that you can make this with just one sheet of origami paper! Let me introduce an idea for a strawberry tray.

All you need to prepare is red or pink origami paper.

Make a cute tray with a strawberry motif and try putting your favorite small items or snacks in it! Some parts of the process are a bit complex, but once you master them, you can apply the techniques to various folds, so it’s a good idea to try it together with friends, guardians, or teachers.

If you color the leafy top with crayons or colored pencils, it will look even nicer!

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Fluffy Tissue Paper Butterflies

(Paper Pom-Pom) Easy! How to Make a Cute Butterfly [DIY]

Fluffy Tissue Paper Butterflies

Gorgeous and beautiful! Here are some ideas for making fluffy butterflies with tissue paper.

Let’s use tissue paper—often used for crafts with a soft, elegant look—to create butterflies that look ready to flutter away.

Tissue paper comes in a wide range of colors, so it’s great that you can combine your favorite shades.

When spreading the wings, gently and lightly fluff them out for a more beautiful finish.

Give it a try!

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