Lovely childcare

[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 (91–100)

cardboard camera

Kids Will Love It! Make-Your-Own Camera

cardboard camera

Let me introduce a cardboard camera that’s perfect for a walk.

Prepare cardboard, cellophane, a paper cup, and double-sided tape.

Cut two pieces of cardboard to the size of the camera you want to make.

Take a paper cup that’s cut in half horizontally with slits cut vertically, place it against the cardboard, then cut out a lens shape and fit it in.

Stick colored cellophane over the top, glue the cardboard pieces together, and you’re done! Try adding a yarn strap for walks or changing the cellophane colors and decorating it as you like!

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Movable dandelion doll

[Movable] Hello♪ Tanpopo-san 🌻 #diy #easycraft #April #Daiso #handmade #craft #handmade #nurseryteacher #shorts #play #communication

Movable dandelion doll

Let’s make something with familiar materials! I’ll show you an idea for a movable dandelion doll.

You’ll need a straw, two yellow food cups, a craft paper cup, decorative materials like stickers, craft glue, felt, and round stickers or construction paper.

First, punch a hole in a food cup and insert a straw with slits cut into its tip.

Draw a face on a round sticker or a piece of construction paper and stick it in the center of the flower.

Decorate the craft paper cup, make a hole, and insert the straw—then it’s done.

Adding felt leaves makes it even cuter.

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[Childcare] Let's make things with various materials! Recommended craft ideas for April (101–110)

Spring flowers made with blow painting

Blow painting with straws! Spring craft flower drawings

Spring flowers made with blow painting

Let me introduce a spring craft using a blow-painting technique to create spring flowers.

Prepare drawing paper, crayons, paint, a brush, and water.

Draw the flower’s leaves and stem on the paper, and decide where the flower will go.

Slightly above the crayon-drawn stem, drop some paint in the flower’s color with a brush, then blow through a straw to spread it.

The paint will scatter around, forming petal-like shapes or delightful, unexpected patterns.

When blowing through the straw, hold it a little away from the paint and blow with some force—that’s the key.

Give this spring craft a try!

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four-leaf clover

How to fold a four-leaf clover with origami

four-leaf clover

This is an origami four-leaf clover that brings happiness.

Fold the origami paper into a triangle, then fold it into a triangle again, and open the pocket into a square.

Open it vertically to form a diamond shape, then shape it like a throwing star.

After that, keep folding the finer parts to create the clover’s rounded look.

If you fill the classroom wall with this lucky motif, everyone will naturally feel warm and happy! If you prepare several kinds of green origami with slightly different shades, it will look even more vibrant.

You can almost hear the children say, “Let’s go look for four-leaf clovers!”

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A mobile made with your favorite characters

Super easy “handmade mobile” – you can make it with your favorite characters. #handmademobile #DIYinterior #kids #baby #self-sealLaminatingFilm #100yenShop

A mobile made with your favorite characters

Why not decorate the room with your children’s favorite characters? You can use characters from anime or games as materials, or—if characters aren’t allowed at your school—use animals or picture books they love instead! Once you’ve chosen the materials, print them out on a computer.

Also print one reversed copy so you can glue the front and back together.

Laminate the finished pieces and cut them out, then punch holes so you can attach strings.

Try decorating them like a mobile, using branches the children found in the yard or during outdoor activities.

Swaying gently in the pleasant spring breeze, they’ll look absolutely lovely.

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fabric garland

Simple and cute! How to make a fabric garland! Fabric garland

fabric garland

Reusable and delightful! Here’s an idea for making a fabric garland.

You’ll need a 30 cm-long piece of fabric, yarn or jute twine, and scissors.

You can use leftover fabric from home or school, too! First, cut the fabric into long strips about 2 cm wide.

Next, take three of the cut strips and tie them onto the yarn or jute twine.

Finally, trim the length and snip off any loose threads, and you’re done.

This is a great idea when you want to make a cute garland with a natural vibe!

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Sakura mobile made of origami

Hanging Sakura Decorations 🌸 Easy to make with origami ✨ Paper Craft DIY Cherry Blossoms

Sakura mobile made of origami

Here’s an introduction to making a hanging cherry blossom ornament with origami.

You fold it the same way as when making an origami star to create a five-petaled cherry blossom.

Make four blossoms with the same pattern, stack them, and glue them together at the center.

When you gently open it up, the cherry blossom becomes three-dimensional and looks adorable from every angle! The key is to make four identical pieces, so when you cut patterns into the petals, create a template and use it to make four matching petals.

Decorating with clear fishing line or spring-colored yarn will brighten up your room.

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