Lovely childcare

Recommended Craft Ideas for 1-Year-Olds to Enjoy in Daycare in December

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
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.

Would you like to enjoy some fun December crafts together with one-year-olds? December is a season full of beloved events for children.

This time, we’re sharing Christmas crafts you can make with familiar materials like clear cups, kitchen paper, and cotton.

Children can explore by using their hands and fingers, enjoy colors and shapes, and feel the joy of completing something.

It’s sure to be a wonderful activity that nurtures their sensitivity and creativity.

These are easy ideas you can try at daycare, kindergarten, or at home! Make happy memories together while feeling the children’s growth.

Note: Since the children’s creations are treated as works, the term “seisaku” (制作) is used in the text.

[For 1-year-olds] A collection of recommended craft ideas to enjoy in childcare in December (1–10)

Collaboratively made Christmas tree

[0-year-olds] Collaborative Project: “Christmas Tree”

Collaboratively made Christmas tree

Let’s all work together to make a cute Christmas tree and have fun! This craft is perfect even for 0-year-olds to practice using their hands, so why not give it a try? The teacher makes a big Christmas tree out of construction paper or poster paper, and the children enjoy freely sticking on stickers and drawing with crayons.

It’s exciting to imagine what kinds of creations will be finished! You might even see how much they’ve grown as they start using their fingers more skillfully.

Be sure to display the finished artwork in the classroom or around the school to boost the festive Christmas mood!

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Reindeer and Santa made with handprints and footprints

[Christmas Craft] A Christmas Tree with Handprints and Footprints!

Reindeer and Santa made with handprints and footprints

This is a Christmas craft that uses handprints and footprints you can keep as a memento of your children’s growth.

It’s a unique activity where the children’s hands become Santa’s beard and their feet become a reindeer’s face.

Apply paint directly to their hands and feet and stamp them onto construction paper or similar! For infants, the sensation of having paint on their hands and feet is entirely new.

After taking the handprints and footprints, cut around them and combine them with Santa and reindeer parts.

You can also arrange each part on a Christmas tree base to create a festive atmosphere.

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Snowflake stamp

Easy Craft: Snowflake Stamps Made from Lactic Acid Drink Containers [Ages 0–1]

Snowflake stamp

Perfect for Christmas crafts! Let’s make a stamp that creates beautiful snowflakes.

We’ll use containers from a lactic acid bacteria drink that children are familiar with.

To make the stamp, place a plastic bottle cap over the drink container’s spout and secure it with vinyl tape.

Then attach cushion sheet cut into snowflake shapes onto the cap.

Prepare inks in various colors, and let the children experience the feel of stamping and the joy of expression as part of the Christmas craft decorations prepared by the teacher.

Display the finished works in the classroom so parents can see them too—sharing those memories will be wonderful.

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[For 1-Year-Olds] A Collection of Recommended Craft Ideas to Enjoy in Childcare in December (11–20)

Handprint Christmas tree

Kids’ Handprint Art: How to Make a Christmas Tree

Handprint Christmas tree

A Christmas tree made from children’s handprints is a great craft idea that also serves as a record of their growth! All you need are paint and paper.

Laying down newspaper solves the mess problem, letting kids focus on creating with peace of mind.

Cut out the handprints stamped on the paper, then decorate with other parts to finish.

The completed tree works well as a wall decoration or something to take home—also great for boosting the Christmas mood.

Give it a try!

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A three-dimensional tree made with tissue paper

As an idea for December wall decorations, I recommend a three-dimensional Christmas tree made with tissue paper flowers! It would be fun to make together with the children, so why not include it in your December craft activities? Arrange the tissue-paper flowers in the shape of a tree and display them on the wall.

Adding origami Santas, bells, and stockings will make it even more festive.

If you have the children try the origami themselves, you’ll likely end up with unique pieces that are fun to look at all on their own.

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Christmas art with handprints and footprints

Creating Christmas art with handprints and footprints is a fun, exciting idea to enjoy with children in the lead-up to Christmas! It’s designed so even infants can take part happily, so please feel free to use it as a reference.

Use green handprints to make a Christmas tree, red footprints for Santa’s outfit, and brown footprints to create a reindeer.

The decoration step—sticking on round stickers and more—is enjoyable for infants, too.

The Christmas art that children make themselves will surely become a wonderful memory.

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[Tissue Paper] Cute Christmas Wreath

Work No. 033 / Making a wreath with 1-year-olds [Handmade toys by a nursery teacher]

[Tissue Paper] Cute Christmas Wreath

A cute Christmas wreath using tissue paper that lets 1-year-olds enjoy the texture of the material.

Tear and crumple tissue paper, then pack it into a transparent umbrella bag.

Tie the bag partway through to form spheres and shape it into a wreath as you go! Finish by decorating with round stickers or star-shaped stickers.

It would also look lovely to add Santas or ribbons made using the children’s handprints.

Actions like tearing paper, stuffing it, and placing stickers help develop fine motor skills, so please give it a try!

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In producing this article

Editorial Policy

Based on actual experience in childcare settings, I carefully selected December crafts that 1-year-olds can enjoy, while also referring to multiple childcare-related websites and video platforms. The content is designed so that when 1-year-olds create together with adults, natural smiles emerge.

Kepiko (10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminder)

Hiyoko-sensei (20 years of experience as a childcare worker / kindergarten teacher)

[Evidence]

[About the order of publication]

Based on the editorial team’s research results, the final decision also takes into account the total number of your “Rank Up” and “Rank Down” button presses.

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