Lovely childcare

[For Toddlers] A Big Roundup of Craft Ideas to Enjoy at Christmas

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.

Speaking of December, Christmas—the holiday children look forward to every year—finally arrives.

Getting presents is exciting, of course, but the sparkling trees and lights, and the reindeer and Santa Claus that create a thrilling atmosphere are also part of the fun.

So this time, we’ve gathered plenty of craft ideas for preschoolers that make the most of those festive motifs.

If your Christmas craft ideas are starting to feel stale, or you’re looking for something new, please use these as inspiration.

Because the things children make are regarded as works of art, we use the term “制作 (seisaku),” meaning “production/creation,” in the text.

[For Toddlers] A Grand Collection of Craft Ideas to Enjoy at Christmas (91–100)

Santa with a handprint beard and a sticker-decorated tree

[Kindergarten/Daycare] December Handprint Santa with a Beard – Art/Craft Project

Santa with a handprint beard and a sticker-decorated tree

Let’s try a craft that uses children’s cute handprints as Santa’s beard.

First, prepare an oval piece of construction paper for Santa’s face and a sheet of origami paper folded into a triangle.

The origami will become Santa’s body, so patterned paper is recommended.

Next, use white paint to make the children’s handprints on the construction paper.

Once the paint is dry, the teacher should cut out the handprints with scissors.

Then, glue the Santa parts together with the children.

If you also prepare construction paper cut into a tree shape and let the children enjoy placing stickers on it, you’ll have a festive Christmas craft all finished.

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Newspaper and yarn wreath

Easy and cute with newspaper and yarn! “Christmas Wreath” / [OT’s Let’s Make It! Vol. 10] (Recreation/Crafts)

Newspaper and yarn wreath

When it comes to must-have items for Christmas decorations, a Christmas wreath is at the top of the list.

In this article, we’ll show you how to make a wreath using newspaper and yarn—perfect for crafting with kids.

First, roll up some newspaper to form the base of the wreath, then wrap your favorite color of yarn around it.

It’s adorable just like that, but you can make it even more festive by adding decorations such as flower embellishments or pom-poms.

Letting the kids choose the yarn colors and decorations freely will surely result in unique and charming creations full of personality.

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Santa hat made with yarn

[Craft] It can be a tree too!? Let’s make and play with a Santa hat! 🎅🏻 [How to make yarn pom-poms by hand]

Santa hat made with yarn

This is a Santa hat that conveys the soft, gentle texture of yarn.

You can wear it as a hat or place it as an ornament on your Christmas tree—let’s make a versatile item! Roll a fan-shaped pattern into a cone and secure it with a stapler and tape.

Take three colors of yarn, tie them together, and wrap them around the pattern covered with double-sided tape.

When you finish wrapping, cut the yarn and stick the end on the inside to complete the hat.

To make the pom-pom to attach to the hat, wrap yarn around three fingers, tie it with another piece of yarn, cut through the loops with scissors, then trim to your desired length.

Glue the pom-pom to the hat and you’re done.

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A chimney Santa toy made from a milk carton

[Upcycled Craft] Handmade Milk Carton Chimney Santa Toy [Christmas]

A chimney Santa toy made from a milk carton

Let’s make a cute toy where Santa Claus and a reindeer pop out of a chimney! You can use it for pretend play, too.

First, cut a milk carton to a length of 15 cm from the bottom.

Cut out the bottom piece.

Then wrap the carton with colored construction paper to look like a chimney and glue it in place.

Next, cut out parts for Santa Claus and the reindeer from construction paper.

Don’t forget the house parts that you’ll stick onto the milk carton.

Glue the house parts onto the carton, and attach Santa and the reindeer to the tips of straws to make little puppets.

Draw the facial expressions, the house’s window frames, and the chimney pattern, and you’re done! Move the straws and the puppets will pop out of the chimney.

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A reindeer that breaks easily

Origami Reindeer / How to fold an origami reindeer

A reindeer that breaks easily

Would you like to make Santa’s partner, a reindeer, with origami? The folding steps are relatively simple, so try it with your kids! Since there are some finer folds, it’s best suited for ages 4 and up.

In particular, have an adult help with the final step of folding the antlers.

To finish, draw the reindeer’s eyes, nose, and mouth—using round stickers for the facial features works great, too.

This craft is perfect for Christmas origami projects and wall decorations, so why not boost the holiday spirit with this activity?

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It Makes Sounds! Santa and Reindeer Hand Bell

[Christmas Craft 🎄] Make Santa and Reindeer Handbells with Paper Cups!

It Makes Sounds! Santa and Reindeer Hand Bell

Let’s all ring and play together with Santa and reindeer handbells! Decorate the sides of colored paper cups by attaching Santa Claus and reindeer ornaments made from colored construction paper and stickers.

Punch a hole in the bottom, thread jute twine through so the paper cup can hang, and tie a bell to the end of the twine—done! Since Santa and the reindeer are made by cutting out simple shapes, this is also great for scissor practice.

Play along to music and get into the Christmas spirit!

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Climbing Santa

[Craft Play] Christmas Project: Let’s Make a Climbing Santa

Climbing Santa

Thanks to songs and stories, we tend to picture Santa Claus coming down the chimney, but these days, fewer homes actually have one.

By making a decoration of Santa climbing a chimney, you can still enjoy that nostalgic Christmas atmosphere.

Using simple materials like a paper cup, straws, and string to create the base, then attaching a piece of construction paper with a drawing of Santa, you can easily make a Santa that moves up and down the chimney.

It’s a Christmas craft that’s fun to play with even after it’s finished.

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Hoshino Takashi

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