[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.
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[Childcare] Let's create with various materials! Recommended craft ideas for April (11–20)
bamboo shoot
Using crayons and paint, a paper plate transforms into bamboo shoot skins! Draw swirling patterns with several shades of brown crayon, then paint the entire plate with brown paint.
Once dry, cut the plate into four equal pieces and stack them to complete the bamboo shoot skins.
The secret is the freely drawn crayon lines! The way the paint resists the crayon and the plate’s ridged texture realistically recreates the look of the skins.
Finally, finish by adding parts so the tip of the bamboo shoot peeks out a little.
ladybug
This is a ladybug wall decoration made by assembling parts.
Drawing a ladybug from scratch on paper based on a picture book can be quite challenging, but if the head, body, and face parts are prepared in advance, it should be easier for children to work on.
Let’s finish by making unique ladybugs—draw the eyes and mouth with crayons and add patterns with stickers.
It’s also recommended to paste flowers or clovers around the ladybugs! Cutting out the parts along the outlines is great practice for using scissors.
chick
Express the fluffy feathers of little chicks using children’s adorable handprints! Paint their palms and press the handprints onto colored construction paper cut into chick shapes.
Then attach the handprinted chicks to a backing sheet, add eyes and feet, and draw flowers around them to complete a spring-themed wall decoration.
It’s also a great idea to use the leftover paint on their palms to color the background or add patterns! Pack in spring motifs and finish with a vibrant, original piece full of personality.
Easter Bunny mask
This is an Easter bunny mask with cute flower decorations and big ears.
Cut a paper plate in half and punch out round holes for the eyes.
Take a few small pieces of tissue paper, cut them smaller, stack them, accordion-fold them, staple the center, and fan them out to make small flowers.
Line them up on the bunny’s head and glue them on, then add the large ear pieces to finish.
To make it easier to wear, you can tie on a ribbon so it hangs from the neck, or attach a band so it fits snugly to the face—customize it as you like.
binoculars
Spring is a season when you can encounter many beautiful things like flowers and butterflies.
When it gets warmer, bring some binoculars and go look for signs of spring! Wrap two empty toilet paper rolls with origami paper in your favorite colors or patterns, then secure the two rolls together with tape or glue.
Punch holes on two sides at one end, thread a string through to wear around your neck, and you’ve got homemade binoculars.
It’s fun to look through them as is, but adding a color filter is also recommended! The world will look completely different, and you’ll enjoy your walk with a fresh perspective.
Easter egg maracas
Although Easter, which celebrates the Resurrection of Christ, is not widely highlighted in Japan, opportunities to experience it have been increasing—such as theme park events and Easter-themed sweets appearing in stores.
Why not make maracas using the Easter egg motif that symbolizes the holiday? Prepare two plastic bottle caps, put beads inside, tape them together, and wrap them with aluminum foil colored using newspaper and markers.
In no time, your instrument is complete! Shake them along to lively, springtime songs and have fun.
[Childcare] Let's create with various materials! Recommended craft ideas for April (21–30)
cherry tree
This is a cherry blossom tree made with paper cups, a toilet paper roll, and tissue paper.
Cover the outside of two paper cups with brown construction paper and glue their bottoms together to form the trunk.
Next, cut several slits into the side of one paper cup, open them out, and attach cherry blossom pieces made by crumpling pink tissue paper.
Finally, secure the toilet paper roll—covered with brown construction paper—inside the paper cup, cut slits in it the same way, and attach the blossom pieces.
You’ll have a fully bloomed cherry blossom tree you can display!