Lovely childcare

[For 5-year-olds] Let's make it in April! A collection of craft ideas using recycled and natural materials

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.
Nursery Teacher Mom Writertsukada moe
After working for five years at an after-school childcare club and three years at a nursery school, I began working as a freelance writer. I’m a mother of two children. Inspired by playing the flute in the school wind ensemble in elementary school, I joined a jazz club at university. I’ve also incorporated ukulele and piano performance into childcare. Playing, laughing, feeling sad, feeling frustrated—through all kinds of experiences, I want children to grow.

In April, the children move up a grade and spend their days as the oldest five-year-olds.

I imagine their hearts are pounding every day with both anxiety and excitement.

Five-year-olds’ thinking and imagination grow rapidly, so we’d love for them to try crafts that let them be inventive.

Here we’re sharing spring-themed craft ideas perfect for April.

These ideas are packed with activities that make the process of creating fun and let children play with what they’ve made.

Be sure to enjoy making them together with your class.

子どもたちの制作物は作品（ピース）として扱われるため、本文中では「制作」と表記します。

[For 5-year-olds] Let’s make these in April! A collection of craft ideas (41–50) using recycled materials and natural objects

[Magnet] Wobbly/Fluttering Butterfly

Magnet Butterfly Craft with Magnets: A Spring Project Explained by a Preschool Teacher (For 5-Year-Olds)

[Magnet] Wobbly/Fluttering Butterfly

Here’s a craft idea using construction paper and magnets.

You’ll make a flower field base, flowers, and a butterfly.

First, draw a flower field on construction paper and mount it onto thick cardboard.

Next, take a rectangular piece of construction paper, fold it in half lengthwise, and make slits at 1 cm intervals starting from the folded edge.

After you’ve made the slits, place a magnet on the uncut top section, then roll the paper up tightly.

Once rolled, secure it with tape, and flare out the slit sections to the outside.

That completes one flower; make about three in the same way and attach them to the base.

Finally, cut out a butterfly from construction paper and fold it in half; secure a magnet and some string inside.

Tape the butterfly’s head so it doesn’t open, and you’re done!

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[5-year-olds] Let’s make it in April! A collection of craft ideas using recycled materials and natural objects (51–60)

[Paper Cup] Cherry Tree

[Graduation Ceremony & Entrance Ceremony] Recreating Cherry Blossoms! Paper Cup Tree [Spring Craft]

[Paper Cup] Cherry Tree

Let’s make a perfect cherry blossom tree for April using a paper cup and tissue paper! First, draw a net of the paper cup’s side on brown construction paper.

An adult should prepare this step.

Have the children cut out two of these with scissors.

Prepare two paper cups, apply double-sided tape to the sides, and stick on the cut-out construction paper.

Glue the bottoms of the two paper cups together.

From the rim toward the bottom of one cup, make vertical cuts all the way around.

Gently flare the cuts outward, then glue on crumpled bits of torn tissue paper to create blossoms—done! Adding cherry blossoms made with a craft punch makes a cute accent, too.

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