[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)

Puchi-puchi butterfly

As spring arrives, we start seeing butterflies more often, don’t we? Let’s make a springtime butterfly using bubble wrap as a cushioning material! We’ll use bubble wrap to create the butterfly’s wings.

Cut the bubble wrap into a rectangle and draw the butterfly’s patterns on it with a permanent marker.

It could be fun to draw on the bumpy side or on the smooth, flat back—either works.

Tie the center tightly with a pipe cleaner, then make the butterfly’s body and face from colored construction paper and stick them on to finish.

You can also use a pipe cleaner to create the antennae.

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Pencil holder as a preschool graduation gift

Many kindergartens may prepare gifts from current pupils to those who are graduating.

How about incorporating the making of a pencil holder, which is perfect as a graduation present? Use paper tubes, empty snack containers, or paper cups, and decorate the surface with torn-paper collage to create a colorful pencil holder.

Using various types of paper—construction paper, origami paper, wrapping paper, tissue paper, or chiyogami—makes the tearing sensations enjoyable in different ways.

Add a border of felt balls and attach a message card as a finishing touch.

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Colorful Tulips Made from Scrap Materials

Let me introduce colorful tulips made from upcycled materials using toilet paper rolls.

Prepare toilet paper rolls, paint, brushes, and colored pens.

Draw the shape of a tulip on the toilet paper roll with a pen and cut it out.

If you flatten the roll first, it’s easier to draw the design.

Once you’ve painted the tulips with paint, they’re done! Adding patterns inside the tulips can make them feel even more spring-like.

It’s also a great idea to display them in your room to enjoy the spring atmosphere.

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[Childcare] Let’s make things with various materials! Recommended craft ideas for April (81–90)

Stamp Cherry Blossoms Made from Scrap Materials

Here’s how to make cherry blossoms using recycled materials.

Prepare construction paper, scissors, glue, a toilet paper roll, and paint.

First, create the base of the cherry tree on the construction paper.

Shape the toilet paper roll into a heart, dip it in paint, and stamp it onto the tree.

The stamped shapes look like cherry blossom petals, giving the artwork a springtime feel.

Since children’s hands are small, it’s recommended to cut the toilet paper roll in half to make a stamp that’s easier for them to hold firmly.

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Tulips made with sensory play

Introducing a tulip craft made with sensory play that 2-year-olds will love and that both kids and adults can enjoy together.

Prepare paint, construction paper, and a zip-top bag.

Drip your favorite paints onto the construction paper, place it inside the bag, and seal it.

Spread the paint by pressing and sliding it from outside the bag.

Children can experience the cool temperature of the paint and how the colors mix.

Take the paper out, let the paint dry, and then cut it into the shape of tulips.

Finally, glue the cut-out tulip flowers onto another sheet where you’ve drawn the stems and leaves—and it’s complete!

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Cherry blossoms made with newspaper stamps

@hoiku.labo
Easy Prep: Cherry Blossom Stamping Fun with Everyday Items 🌸#Childcare Crafting Nursery teacher / Childcare worker #Drawers of Childcare #NurseryTeacherInTraining #NurseryTeacherThings With children #Stamp play newspaper (newsprint)Easy to make #CherryBlossom
♪ Original Song – Craft Ideas for Childcare ♪ Hoiku Kyujin Labo – Hoiku Kyujin Labo | Nursery Teacher Job Changes and Helpful Information

Let’s make use of familiar materials! I’ll show you an idea for creating cherry blossoms using a newspaper stamp.

You’ll need drawing paper, crayons, newspaper, paint, and a paper plate.

First, use crayons to draw the cherry tree trunk on the drawing paper.

Next, put some paint on the paper plate.

A single color looks nice, but I recommend using two colors so you can enjoy the way they blend.

Finally, pick up some paint with a crumpled piece of newspaper and dab it onto the paper—stamp, stamp—and you’ll have a tree full of cherry blossoms!

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Spring Stroll Bag

Introducing a handmade walk bag for storing the treasures you find on your strolls.

Prepare a zippered storage bag, round stickers and washi tape, raffia tape (suzuran tape), felt-tip pens, and cloth duct tape.

Stick a strip of duct tape with the child’s name on the front of the storage bag in a visible spot.

Decorate the surface of the bag freely with round stickers and washi tape.

Reinforce the upper left and right edges of the bag by sandwiching them with duct tape, then use a hole punch to make holes.

Braid the raffia tape to a length that fits over the children’s shoulders, thread it through the holes in the bag, and you’re done.

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