Get kids excited in winter childcare! A collection of fun game and craft ideas for children
As December begins and the Christmas spirit rises in nursery schools and kindergartens, both children and adults want to make the most of this special season.
Here are fun ideas everyone can make and play together with, while cherishing the unique excitement of Christmas.
From crafts and games inspired by Santa Claus and Christmas trees, these activities will spark children’s imaginations! All of the ideas are useful for events and performances, so find your favorite activities and create wonderful winter memories! Since the children’s creations are treated as works, the term “seisaku (制作)” is used in the text.
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Get Excited for Winter Childcare! A Collection of Game and Craft Ideas Kids Will Love (11–20)
Paku-Paku Santa & Reindeer
Many preschool and kindergarten teachers who put on performances at Christmas may be wondering what to do this year.
Here’s a suggestion: make Chompy Santa & Reindeer.
These are puppets made by attaching two halves of a paper cup together, and you can move their mouths like a hand puppet.
If you use them to put on a puppet show, it will definitely liven things up.
They’re also great for anyone looking for a cute craft.
Since there are many steps involving scissors, please proceed with care to ensure safety.
Hand play in December
Here are some hand play activities perfect for December.
The video introduces 10 songs, but there may be some you don’t know.
Hand plays themed around Christmas, Santa Claus, and snow really help build children’s excitement.
Those that include number play are good to introduce from around ages 2–3.
Incorporating a variety of hand play songs into childcare makes little in-between moments more fun.
The children are sure to find their favorites.
Be sure to try them out together with the kids!
Production: Climbing Santa Claus
Make it with a paper cup! Here’s an idea for a climbing Santa Claus.
What you’ll need: a paper cup, straws, twine, tape, scissors, and a paper Santa you’ve made.
First, cut out the bottom of the paper cup and attach two short pieces of straw to the inside.
Next, thread the twine through the straws and stick on the paper Santa.
Finally, hook the twine onto something like a wall hook and pull the left and right strands alternately.
You’ll see Santa smoothly climb upward!
Mini tree made with pine cones
You can make a mini Christmas tree using pine cones.
If you’re using pine cones you picked up, boil them and let them dry to prevent bugs.
Paint the pine cones with acrylic paint.
Mixing green and yellow gives a nice finish.
Next, use white paint to represent snow.
The key is to dab the paint with the tip of your brush without using water.
Finally, decorate them.
Add cute touches with beads and pom-poms.
They look adorable as room decor and also make great gifts for parents or guardians!
Rin Rin ChristmasKeropons
Keropons’ song-and-dance game “Rin Rin Christmas” is a group activity where everyone can get excited while following the leader’s cues.
First, everyone holds hands to make a circle.
As you sing “Rin Rin Christmas,” spin around together.
At the cue “Rin,” change direction; at the cue “Santa,” strike a Santa pose; and at the cue “Reindeer,” strike a reindeer pose.
You might miss a cue, get confused, or feel a bit mixed up—but that’s exactly what makes this game fun! Give it lots of tries and enjoy!
Christmas Matching Game
How about playing a matching game using Christmas motifs? All you need are paper and paper cups, so try making it in your spare time.
First, draw Christmas-themed pictures on the bottoms of the paper cups.
Make sure each one has a different motif.
Next, draw the same pictures you drew on the cups onto a sheet of paper, arranged in a layout.
Coloring each picture makes them easier to recognize and lowers the difficulty, so it’s recommended.
Ready, go! Place each paper cup on the matching picture.
If you’re playing with multiple children, it works well to have them take turns placing the cups.
How quickly can they find the matching images?
Exciting Winter Childcare! A Collection of Game and Craft Ideas Kids Will Love (21–30)
How to Make a Kite You Can Enjoy Playing With on New Year’s
Here’s an idea for making spinning tops with acorns—very popular as an autumn craft.
You can buy acorns online, but since they’re often found on the ground in season, it’s great to use ones you’ve collected.
If you do, be sure to wash them and disinfect them with boiling water to prevent bugs before using.
The method is very simple: just make a hole in the acorn and insert a toothpick.
If the acorn is hard and difficult to pierce, have an adult help.
Drawing faces or patterns with a pen makes them extra cute!
