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

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 various materials! A collection of recommended craft ideas for April (111–120)

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!

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.

Origami cherry blossom garland

Garland with Cherry Blossoms! Introducing ones made from origami! Perfect for spring decorations! | DIY How to make a paper cherry blossom garland [Tukuru]
Origami cherry blossom garland

Why not decorate your room with a garland of cherry blossoms made from origami? Here’s an idea for a sakura garland created by cutting and linking pieces of origami paper.

Just like when you make an origami star, fold the paper into a pentagon, draw the shape of sakura petals, and cut it out with scissors.

When you unfold it, you’ll have five petals with the same pattern.

Feel free to draw any petal design you like—the surprise when you open it is part of the fun.

To connect them into a garland, make a single cut on one part of each blossom and link them together.

You can connect them horizontally or vertically to create a delightful garland!

Let’s look for spring! Making a magnifying glass

'Craft: Magnifying Glass' — Let’s make our own original magnifying glasses and go explore lots of springtime nature!
Let’s look for spring! Making a magnifying glass

Here’s how to make a magnifying glass that’s perfect for spring walks and bug hunting.

Prepare two pieces of thick paper with circular cutouts, construction paper, clear cellophane, tape, and colored pens.

Fold a rectangular piece of construction paper to add strength and shape it into the handle of the magnifying glass.

Attach the handle firmly to the bottom of one of the circular cutouts so it won’t come off.

Place the cellophane over the cutout and stick it down, then trim off any excess with scissors.

Finally, glue the second circular cutout on top, and your magnifying glass is complete.

Use colored pens to decorate it and make your own original magnifying glass!

A bookmark made with cherry blossom petals

I tried making a bookmark with cherry blossom petals 🌸—super easy with an iron!
A bookmark made with cherry blossom petals

Let’s try making a bookmark using cherry blossoms.

First, freely arrange cherry blossoms on top of a piece of milk carton cut to bookmark size.

Stack a towel, the bookmark, and a pressing cloth in that order, then press firmly with an iron from above to make pressed flowers.

Be careful not to overheat, as the flowers can scorch—check frequently while ironing.

Once the flowers have adhered to the milk carton, apply packing tape over the top, and glue your favorite patterned wrapping paper to the back.

Finally, punch a hole at the top and tie a ribbon to finish.

It also looks cute if you use other flowers like white clover or dandelions.

Please handle the iron with great care.

Cherry blossom petal wreath

Origami [Cherry Blossom Petal Wreath]
Cherry blossom petal wreath

Make it with origami! Here’s an idea for a cherry blossom petal wreath.

All you need are eight quarter-size sheets of origami paper and glue.

The cherry blossom petals made from origami look adorably connected! Using just one shade of pink is nice, but it’s also lovely to mix in petals made from light pink or white origami paper.

Using traditional Japanese-patterned paper can change the vibe even more, so it’s highly recommended.

It’s a perfect idea to decorate your room wall or entryway!

Milk carton mobile

Fun Mobiles: Let’s Make a Spinning Mobile from a Milk Carton! (Chigasaki Park Experiential Learning Center Umikaze Terrace)
Milk carton mobile

Fun to make, and fun to hang from the ceiling and enjoy! Here are some ideas for making a mobile out of milk cartons.

You’ll need three milk cartons, a 14 cm bamboo skewer or wire, thread, acrylic paint, and craft glue.

In this idea, the collaboration of the moon with a cat and fish makes for an amusing design! You can freely adapt it to suit the design you want to create—whether a cute or cool vibe, animals, or your favorite motifs—so feel free to use this as a reference.