Lovely handmade crafts

New Year’s card ideas to make with children: simple designs using stickers and stamps

Keyboard playerSAKI
I’ve been playing the Electone since I was six, mainly performing Disney music, anime songs, and music from dramas and films. I post performance videos on YouTube and social media, and I also give concerts. Building on my Electone experience, I took up synthesizer and piano during my student years and performed at school-sponsored events. As a writer, I’ve covered not only music-related topics but a wide range of genres, so I hope to draw on my experience to deliver articles that make readers think, “I want to try that!” or “I want to listen to that!”
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

“Maybe I’ll try making New Year’s cards by hand with my kids.” If you’re thinking that but aren’t sure exactly how to make them, this article introduces ideas for handmade New Year’s cards you can enjoy creating together.

You can finish them off brightly with stamps and stickers, use your child’s handprints or footprints, or make a little lottery that recipients can enjoy—there’s sure to be a method that suits your children’s interests.

How about greeting the New Year with one-of-a-kind, original cards next year?

New Year’s card ideas to make with kids: simple designs using stickers and stamps (21–30)

Also great for New Year’s cards! Origami horse

[Zodiac] Year of the Horse Origami: How to Fold a Paper Horse

Also great for New Year’s cards! Origami horse

Here’s an idea for making horses out of washi paper or patterned origami paper that look beautiful even as decorations.

You’ll need items like patterned origami or washi paper and double-sided tape.

It’s a lovely piece you’ll want to make not only to send to someone special, but also for your own home.

The mood changes depending on the texture and pattern of the paper you choose, so why not pick something that suits the person you’re sending it to? Also, if you attach the horse to a New Year’s card and add motifs like flowers or pine made from origami around it, it will turn out even more festive.

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A horse drawn on 100-yen store drawing paper!

http://www.lemon8-app.com

If you’re worried about drawing directly on New Year’s postcards, why not first try sketching the picture you have in mind on drawing paper? Since it’s just a trial sketch, supplies from the 100-yen shop—drawing paper, pencils, and colored pencils—are perfectly fine! Instead of forcing yourself to match the postcard size, try drawing it large once; it will help your ideas expand.

If you end up liking your rough sketch, you can scan it with a printer and paste it onto the postcard as is—highly recommended.

A horse running, a horse grazing, a parent and foal snuggled together—use your favorite image of a horse to add a personal touch to your New Year’s greetings!

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New Year’s cards with a horse motif made using 100-yen shop stamps

@kururistamp
How to make a simple and cute 2026 New Year’s card using only stamps♪Stamp Daiso #New Year's card How to make Translation
♬ Exciting, exciting, cute songs(1283711) – Korepoi

At 100-yen shops, you can find a variety of stamps that are perfect for New Year’s cards.

By combining these stamps well and being creative with your color choices, you can make beautiful cards! If you want a gradient with a single stamp, apply the ink to the stamp little by little.

When you want to change the color you’re stamping with, press the stamp onto scrap paper until the previous color no longer transfers to help prevent color mixing.

Even with the same stamp, you can express different horses by changing the colors and where you stamp, so try out various colors and stamping techniques!

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Make it with 100-yen store materials! Mizuhiki Horse

@hohoemiss
You can even buy it at DAISO! Let’s tie a horse—the zodiac animal for 2026, the Year of the Horse—using mizuhiki. It’s the easiest and most basic method: you can make it using only the Awaji knot. Stick it on a small gift envelope to make an otoshidama envelope! (We’ll also be selling them at Hohoemizu this year, so look forward to that.) If you make it in different colors, you might even get a unicorn! 🦄Mizuhiki Handmade Lesson video How to make it released Pochi-bukuro (small decorative envelope for gifting money)
24/7 – Kagura SCOPE

Let me share an idea for making a horse face using mizuhiki cords.

You’ll tie the mizuhiki yourself, but since it uses the standard awaji knot, it’s easy for beginners to try.

Prepare two cords at 23 cm and one cord at 13 cm.

Tie the two 23 cm cords with the awaji knot twice to form the horse’s face, and tie the 13 cm cord with the awaji knot once to create the mane.

Layer the two pieces and glue them together, and your horse is complete! Adding beads for the eyes could be cute, too.

Mizuhiki is known as an auspicious decoration, so try making this and incorporating it into your New Year’s card design.

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How to draw a cute horse

@uka_0618
Drawing lesson! Zodiac horse edition ✨ This time it’s a horse! I even tried drawing it running 🥳#Drawing #YuruKawaii illustration #Drawing lesson Zodiac (Chinese zodiac)#Procreate
♬ Umapyoi Densetsu (feat. Koharu Rikka) [cover ver.] – takaokamizuki

If you want a cute horse illustration for your New Year’s card, this is for you! First, draw two ears, keeping them slightly pointy, and connect the space between them.

Sketch the outline so the face is a bit long, and add a fluffy mane between the ears.

Draw a rounded line toward the bottom of the face and place dotted nostrils inside it.

Then add the eyes, color it however you like, and you’re done! The key is to keep a soft, rounded feel throughout.

Try adding patterns if you like, too.

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Cute horse brush pen illustration

@monmon_nigaoe
[Brush Pen Illustration] I tried drawing a cute horse 🐴—my son's requestSimple illustration I tried drawing with a brush pen.Brush pen illustration
Run, Makibaō / Midori no Makibaō – Studio Megaane

Perfect for the Year of the Horse! Here are some cute horse illustrations to try.

In this idea, the horse’s distinctive nose is exaggerated—so big that it’s drawn larger than the face.

But by doing so, it brings out the horse’s charm and adds a unique touch.

Start with a rough sketch and then trace it with a brush pen, copying an illustration you like until you’re satisfied.

Adding eyelashes will give it a girly look.

Make the most of the brush pen’s qualities to finish with a lively, dynamic illustration.

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Great for New Year’s cards, too! Horse origami

@shinichikudo273
Year of the Horse Origami: How to Fold a HorseOrigami #fyp #foryoupage #origamitutorial #origami
♬ Original Song – Origami Crane – Origami Crane

Origami creations can be incorporated as three-dimensional designs for New Year’s cards, and their warmth will likely help convey the sender’s feelings as well.

In this idea, you start by making creases.

Using those creases, you fold it up in order to form the head and neck, legs, and tail.

Techniques like the cushion fold (zabuton-ori) and inside reverse fold appear, and because the steps are simple, even children can give it a try.

Why not use Japanese-style patterned origami that suits the New Year and make one yourself? If attaching the piece directly makes the card too thick, please attach a printed image and send that instead.

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