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 make things with various materials! Recommended craft ideas for April (41–50)

Candy Magnet

How about doing this with your child over spring break? Candy magnets made from plastic bottle caps

Candy Magnet

Let’s make something with plastic bottle caps! Here’s an idea for candy magnets.

How about turning materials you’d normally throw away into cute candy magnets? You’ll need two plastic bottle caps, double-sided tape, masking tape, magnets, fabric scraps, and embroidery thread.

By using leftover fabric from home or school, you can create something with even more sentimental value.

Give it a try with the kids!

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[Childcare] Let's create with various materials! Recommended craft ideas for April (51–60)

figure-eight pinwheel

Figure-Eight Pinwheel | Make and Play! | #shorts #childcare #crafts #handmadeToys

figure-eight pinwheel

Feel the spring breeze! Here’s how to make a figure-eight pinwheel that’s perfect for preschool activities.

You will need: paper plates, double-sided tape, wood glue, bamboo skewers, beads, and decorations.

Cut out the centers of two paper plates.

Punch four holes, then combine the plates into a figure-eight shape using double-sided tape.

Put a bit of wood glue into a bead’s hole and attach it to a bamboo skewer.

After threading it through the hole, wrap tape around the skewer so the plate doesn’t slide down.

Assemble the second tier the same way, add decorations, and you’re done!

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Wavy 3D butterfly with fluttering wings

[Craft / Making] “Wings-Wobbling 3D Butterfly” Wall Decoration Craft – Preschool/Childcare Craft, Elderly Care Recreation

Wavy 3D butterfly with fluttering wings

The wings sway gently and look so cute! Here’s how to make a 3D butterfly that’s perfect for spring.

First, dip a plastic bottle cap in paint and stamp it onto thin strips of colored construction paper.

You can use both sides of the cap for different effects.

Next, cut out the butterfly’s wings—which will also form its body—using scissors.

Stamp the wings as well, then fold them down the middle.

After that, bring the ends of the first stamped thin strip together to create a 3D wing shape.

Make two of these and attach them to the body wings with double-sided tape.

Finish by adding antennae with a pipe cleaner, and you’re done! These are great for wall decorations too, so try making them with the kids.

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Let’s make it using tissue paper

How to Make a Dandelion Wall Display? A Preschool Teacher Explains Recommended Spring New-Term Crafts (For Ages 1–3)

Let's make it using tissue paper

Here’s a cute spring wall display featuring dandelions.

Prepare construction paper, tissue paper, round stickers, scissors, and glue to get started.

Cut a circle from construction paper, fold it three times to divide it into eight sections, then cut two triangular notches at the top.

When you open the paper, it will form a dandelion shape.

Make the fluff (seed head) the same way using a different color of construction paper.

Use green construction paper to create leaves and stems.

Glue the dandelion parts onto the base sheet.

For the ladybug, assemble all the parts and use round stickers to make the wing spots.

Changing the color of the round stickers would be cute too.

Crumple tissue paper into a small ball for the dandelion center, glue it on, and you’re done!

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A cute dandelion you can use a pattern for

Easy and cute March wall decoration with pattern: “Dandelion”

A cute dandelion you can use a pattern for

Using templates makes it easier to visualize shapes and to create them.

Here’s a dandelion made with templates.

Cut the dandelion petals and leaves along the template.

Crease the cut petals and leaves to give them a three-dimensional look.

When gluing all the parts together, attach them while checking the overall balance.

It’s also a great idea to make a spring insect—a butterfly—as an accent and let it “fly.” Adding patterns to the butterfly with round stickers might make it even cuter.

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Wall-mounted dandelions you can make with construction paper

[Wall Decorations] How to Make Dandelions

Wall-mounted dandelions you can make with construction paper

Here’s how to make a wall decoration of dandelions using construction paper.

Use origami paper to trace the flower and leaf templates onto construction paper.

Cut out the parts and glue them together.

Then, cut the dandelion flower you used as a template into a smaller size and glue it onto the larger flower to finish.

Making lots of dandelions to create a field-like scene can look bright and beautiful.

Because this craft involves using scissors for detailed parts, it’s also recommended for children ages 4 and up.

Give it a try and make your own original dandelions!

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[Craft Play] Where the Dinosaurs Are

[Practical Guide] Where the Dinosaurs Are (Younger Class, May – Classroom Environment)

[Craft Play] Where the Dinosaurs Are

April 17 is known as Dinosaur Day, commemorating the date when American zoologist Roy Chapman Andrews, who helped spark dinosaur research, set out for the Gobi Desert.

To celebrate Dinosaur Day, here’s a craft project that lets you enjoy dinosaur motifs using cardboard, paper, and paint.

Imagine creating a space where dinosaurs live: make the dinosaurs three-dimensional out of cardboard, and paint their backgrounds on paper.

Use picture books and other references to imagine and build a place where your cardboard dinosaurs can live happily.

It’s also fun to have each person think about how to create the background and which dinosaurs to arrange.

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