[Childcare] Let’s make things with various materials! A collection of recommended craft ideas for April

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.

April is the season for starting nursery and moving up a grade.

It’s an exciting time with new classes, but it can also feel a bit unsettled.

Here are some craft ideas that children can enjoy in April.

We’ve gathered everything from activities they can really focus on to ideas they can make and then play with.

When we draw out children’s sense of fun, crafting becomes an exciting time.

We’re sharing a variety of ideas so you can choose based on children’s interests and curiosities—please find projects you can incorporate.

Because children’s creations are treated as works, we use the term “制作” (seisaku: production/work) in the text.

[Childcare] Let's create with various materials! A collection of recommended craft ideas for April (61–70)

Dandelion sponge stamp

@hoiku.labo
For toddler classes♪ Let’s make dandelions bloom with sponge stamping 🌼Childcare Nursery teacher / Childcare worker Kindergarten Teacher Childcare job openings Childcare Column #NurseryTeacherThings #IWantToConnectWithChildcareWorkers #Nursery School Craft #DaycarePreparation Nursery School Practicum Childcare student Aspiring childcare worker Childcare Job Lab Nursery teacher skills Job change activities #JobChange #nursery_teacher_job_change Nursery teacher employment Production #Craft work Production #Sponge stamp Sponge Stamp Craft Sponge Stamp Production
♪ Original song – Craft ideas for childcare ♪ Nursery Job Labo – Nursery Job Lab | Preschool teachers’ career changes and useful information

Here’s a dandelion craft made with a sponge stamp.

The process is the same as making a traditional tampo stamp, but since you use a sponge, it seems easy to make.

Wrap a sponge around the tip of a disposable chopstick and secure it with a rubber band—your stamp is ready.

Then stamp orange paint onto a yellow piece of construction paper cut into a dandelion shape, and it’s complete.

You can display it on the wall as is, or add a stem and leaves to make it look even more like a dandelion.

When infants are making it, wrapping the chopstick with colored tape or vinyl tape can make it safer to use!

Raise the rankinglower

hiyoko sensei

Report a problem

Smile Flower

https://www.tiktok.com/@hoikunosommelier/video/7343170221781421320

Let me introduce a smile flower you can make out of construction paper, featuring an adorable smiling face.

Prepare several colors of construction paper, double-sided tape, scissors, and colored pens.

Cut nine circles out of the construction paper and fold each one in half.

Using colorful paper is recommended because it makes the finished piece look more vibrant.

Apply double-sided tape to the upper back side of each piece, then stick all nine together to form a sphere.

Gently press it open to flatten it into a flower shape.

Once the flower shape is formed, attach circular pieces to the front and back as the flower’s center, and draw the facial expression.

Roll a strip of construction paper to make the stem, attach it along with some leaves, and you’re done.

It’s also fun to play with the colors and arrangement for a unique look.

Raise the rankinglower

mayumi

Report a problem

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.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Easter eggs made with a stamp

Here’s how to make colorful Easter eggs using a pom-pom stamper.

Gather paint, a pom-pom stamper, white drawing paper, paper cut into egg shapes, and round stickers.

Dip the stamper in paint and stamp it onto the paper to add color.

The key is to choose bright, spring-like colors.

Cut one sheet of paper into a bunny base, and cut the painted paper into a cracked-egg shape, then glue them together.

Finally, attach the eyes and ears to finish! Drawing the face with crayons is also a great option.

Raise the rankinglower

mayumi

Report a problem

Tulip Train

Let me introduce the Tulip Train, where spring tulips transform into a train.

Get construction paper, origami paper, crayons, scissors, and glue, and let’s get crafting.

First, cut the construction paper into tulip shapes to make the base.

Then glue pieces of origami paper onto the tulips.

Cut out leaves, wheels, and animals, and attach each part to the tulip.

When you connect the tulip trains the children made, you might see each one showing a different expression of the train.

Raise the rankinglower

mayumi

Report a problem

Cherry blossoms made with hand painting

@mammybear_
Cherry blossoms bloomed in my room a little early!#Nursery school cherry tree Nursery teacher / Childcare worker #CapCut
♬ Cute and fun marimba pops(1164847) – zomap

Let’s make memories together! Here are some hand-painted cherry blossom ideas.

You’ll need poster paper, paint, a roller, and scissors.

Spring is a season of meetings and farewells, so how about making cherry blossoms with the whole class? Paint the cherry tree trunk using a roller, and create the cherry blossom petals using the children’s handprints.

When decorating, it’s also lovely to display the children’s photos next to the cherry blossoms.

Just looking at it is enough to make you excited!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Butterflies made with finger painting

Happy little fingers that stay clean! Here’s a butterfly craft idea using finger painting.

By using a zippered plastic bag, there’s no mess on their fingers, so even infants in the 0-year-old class can enjoy it—such a great point.

With finger-painted butterflies, kids can press with their fingers, step with their feet, or grab with their hands, enjoying art in any way they like.

Using their hands helps develop their senses and fine motor skills, and they can also enjoy the excitement of not knowing exactly how the artwork will turn out.

Let’s create together with the children and have fun seeing what kind of art emerges.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem