For older kindergarteners: December crafts that 5-year-olds will love — ideas from flat to three-dimensional projects

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.

How about enjoying some fun crafts with children during the winter season? This time, we’re sharing enjoyable craft ideas perfect for five-year-olds, such as Christmas stockings and snow globes made with roll sticky notes, as well as wreaths featuring Santa and reindeer.

These can be made with familiar materials like construction paper, origami paper, and paper cups, so preparation is easy.

Encourage each child to use their imagination and enjoy creating their own original pieces! If you use them to decorate walls and other areas, you can instantly create a festive atmosphere.

Because the children's creations are treated as works of art, we use the term “seisaku” (制作) to refer to them in the text.

[For older kindergarteners] December crafts that 5-year-olds will love! Ideas to enjoy from flat to three-dimensional (41–50)

Stained-glass-style tree made with aluminum foil

Even stained glass, which may seem challenging, can be a fun project for kids if you use aluminum foil! In this article, we’ll show you how to make a shiny, beautiful stained-glass-style tree.

First, crumple aluminum foil to create wrinkles.

Next, place it inside a clear file and cut it into a triangle.

Finally, put masking tape around the edges of the file and decorate with your favorite stickers, and you’re done! You can also draw stained-glass-style frames on the clear file with a black permanent marker, color them in, and place the aluminum foil behind it to create a piece with a different vibe.

Feel free to adapt the project to your children’s age and interests!

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For Older Kindergarteners: December Crafts That 5-Year-Olds Will Love! Fun Ideas from Flat to 3D (51–60)

Wreath tree

Here is a Christmas tree inspired by wreaths filled with various wishes.

By gathering wreaths adorned with festive decorations and arranging them like a tree, you can create a wall display that makes Christmas even more enjoyable.

Each wreath can be customized with different ribbon colors and wrapping styles, encouraging children’s creativity to flourish.

Displaying the finished wreaths in the entrance or hallway of a nursery or kindergarten will likely warm the hearts of parents during drop-off and pick-up.

Give it a try!

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mutō

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A Santa tree made by stacking triangles

This Santa tree made by stacking triangles is perfect for crafting with kids! To make it, cut construction paper into half-circles, join them into cones, and stack them up—that’s it.

The steps are simple, so children can make it themselves.

For the top cone, have them draw Santa’s face however they like—it’s a great way for their individuality to shine! You can also punch holes along the edges of the cones to thread yarn through and enjoy different variations.

Using stickers would make it cute too, so give it a try!

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A Christmas tree made by sticking pieces together

Here’s an idea for a Christmas tree you make by combining and pasting pieces together.

As the name suggests, you create a large Christmas tree by attaching multiple parts.

First, cut construction paper into triangles to represent the tree.

Hand out one piece per person and let everyone decorate theirs however they like.

Then, paste the triangles onto a wall, fitting them together to form one big triangle—once that’s done, it’s complete.

Try planning it out while calculating how many pieces you’ll need.

Beads and stickers are great choices for decorations.

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yamamoto

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A tree made with nuts and yarn

Let me introduce a tree craft made with nuts and yarn that’s fun to make, too.

First, prepare a paper plate and create a spattering effect to make it look like snow is falling.

Seeing the snow appear as if it’s really piling up will definitely get you excited.

Next, wrap yarn around the paper plate.

Keep a Christmas tree shape in mind and form a triangle.

Finally, decorate the yarn part with nuts and other natural items, and you’re done.

If you use nuts you picked up yourself, you’ll feel even more attached to your creation.

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Yarn-Wrapping Tree

Let us introduce a Christmas tree you can make by wrapping everyday yarn! Be sure to try it with your kids.

First, cut a piece of thick paper into a triangle and make small slits around the edges.

Hook the yarn into the slits and wrap it around and around.

To finish, stick on some beads for decoration, then combine it with a base made from a piece of cut toilet paper roll wrapped in origami paper—and it’s done! Since it can stand upright as a decoration, it will add a nice accent to your room and make it feel even more festive for Christmas.

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Stained-glass-style tree made with transparent origami

Let’s make a stained-glass-style tree that you can enjoy decorating on walls or windows! Using transparent origami paper gives it a super cute see-through look.

First, accordion-fold a sheet of construction paper, draw the bottom part of the tree, and cut it out to create the base.

Next, cut another piece of construction paper into the shape of a tree.

Trace the tree shape onto a clear file sleeve, then stick on small pieces of cut transparent origami paper.

Finally, trim around the edges, glue it to the construction paper tree, and attach it to the base—and you’re done! Changing the color of the construction paper tree or the colors and patterns of the transparent origami paper adds personality, and it looks adorable when displayed in your room!

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miyabi

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