[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 make things with a variety of materials! Recommended craft ideas for April (71–80)

Dandelion fluff made from raffia tape (Suzuran tape)

It looks like the fluffy seeds could float away! Here’s an idea for making dandelion fluff with raffia tape.

You’ll need white raffia tape, scissors, and vinyl tape.

After wrapping the raffia tape, bundle it together, split it finely with your fingertips, and secure it with vinyl tape—this simple method is the charm of the idea.

The more finely you split the tape, the fluffier it turns out, which is really fun! Be sure to try it for a spring craft project.

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Dandelion made from a straw stamp

Let’s make lots of tiny, cute dandelions using a straw stamp! Once you have your straw, snip small slits into the end with scissors.

The length of the cuts will change the size of the flowers, so try different lengths.

Then dip it in yellow paint and stamp it onto paper to make a bunch of adorable dandelions bloom! You can draw stems and leaves with crayons, and using paper cups, origami paper, or wrapping paper to create vases or bouquets would also look lovely.

How about decorating your room with these simple and super cute dandelions?

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hiyoko sensei

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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!

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hiyoko sensei

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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.

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mayumi

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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!

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Cherry tree made of felt

@hoikushi_bank
Let's make the cherry blossoms bloom with a button 🌸#Nursery school #Kindergarten Production Nursery School Practicum #Indoor Play Nursery teacher / Childcare worker Childcare student #CherryBlossom Admission Entrance Ceremony
♬ Cutlery (self cover) – uki3

So soft and touchable! Here’s a felt cherry blossom tree you can make.

You’ll need pink felt, brown felt, buttons, thread, a needle, craft glue, and scissors.

Making it is a great chance to explore different materials! The charm of this craft is that the felt cherry blossoms with sewn-on buttons let you attach and remove petals as you play, which is sure to capture the interest of infants—highly recommended! It’s best for teachers or caregivers to handle the steps that use needles and thread.

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