Lovely childcare

Childcare: Fun February craft ideas to make with 1-year-olds

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.

Many teachers are likely looking for ideas for February crafts to enjoy with one-year-olds.

Seasonal motifs like oni for Setsubun and Valentine’s themes really capture children’s interest at this time of year.

There are plenty of activities that let them fully use their fingers and enjoy the feel of paint and changes in color, such as hand painting, stamping, and marble rolling.

Another appeal is letting them fully enjoy the texture of materials by crumpling tissue paper into balls or tearing paper.

Please use these ideas as a reference and enjoy seasonal creations with the children! Because we emphasize ideas that foster children’s free creativity, we use the term “seisaku” (制作, creation) rather than “seisaku” (製作, craftwork) in the main text.

[Childcare] Crafts to make with 1-year-olds! February craft ideas (21–30)

Just roll it up and stick it! Making an ogre

[Ages 1+] Make an Oni! Just tear, roll, and stick—so easy!

Just roll it up and stick it! Making an ogre

We’re excited to share a creative activity so fun it will make you forget the winter chill.

This time, it’s a Setsubun-themed oni (ogre) craft to enjoy with one-year-olds.

The little ones will experience the joy of crumpling colorful tissue paper.

First, the teacher prepares the tissue paper and cuts it to a suitable size.

You can also rip it together with the children.

Then the children crumple the tissue paper and stick it onto the oni’s body parts that the teacher has prepared.

As the children freely crumple and place the paper, each oni will take on a unique, expressive look.

Give this colorful, delightful craft a try to make a special winter memory.

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Snowman Stencil

[Wall activity] Dab with a pom-pom to add color! Snowman stencil [Winter craft]

Snowman Stencil

The snowman stencil, where children use their fingertips to dab colorful paint with a sponge, is a perfect idea for nurturing a two-year-old’s creativity and senses.

Why not spark their imaginations again this winter with this craft activity? The tools and materials are simple—using items like cotton swabs and clear folders—to create friendly winter characters.

It’s sure to bring out smiles with its gentle touch! Aim for a clean, understated finish, and sprinkle in elements of Setsubun and Valentine’s Day to create a lovely, February-themed piece.

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Valentine’s chocolate wall decoration

Easy winter/February wall decorations: Complete your display using only children’s artwork! Two ideas introduced [Nursery/Kindergarten]

Valentine’s chocolate wall decoration

This is a perfect craft idea for Valentine’s Day that covers the wall with heart-shaped chocolates! Prepare construction paper cut into heart shapes and have the children freely draw patterns with crayons and other materials.

If coloring inside the heart is difficult, they can draw patterns on the paper first and then cut it into heart shapes.

Finally, write the names of the people they love on stickers—based on whom the children tell you—and stick them in the center of the heart chocolates to finish.

Just imagining a display of such unique chocolates lined up is enough to make you feel happy, isn’t it?

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Penguin footprint art

Penguin Footprint Art Project: Perfect for Wall Displays for 1–3-Year-Olds!

Penguin footprint art

This penguin footprint art is perfect for recording children’s growth.

You don’t need many materials, so it’s easy to try! First, trace both of the children’s feet on colored construction paper, cut them out into a penguin shape, then add eyes made from round stickers, a beak, and feet to finish.

If you plan to display it on a wall, you can tear up origami paper to resemble ice and combine the pieces, or add other animals like seals and polar bears to create a wonderful piece.

Plus, the process of taking their footprints will likely become a fond memory for the children.

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Mittens made by threading yarn

Warm Yarn Play with Gloves – A Craft Activity That Uses Fine Motor Skills – #play #childcare #nurseryteacher #children #athomeplay #craftactivity #artsandcrafts #yarn #walldecor #cardboard #craft #preschooler #gloves #lacing #video

Mittens made by threading yarn

These are gloves you can make by threading yarn—perfect for kids to enjoy using their fine motor skills.

Cut colored construction paper into the shape of a glove, then punch holes along the edge with a hole punch.

After that, have fun threading yarn through the holes! Kids can explore by weaving through this hole and that one, imagining where to thread next.

Changing yarn colors partway through can make the piece even more unique.

It’s a great February craft for cold winter days, letting children work with their hands indoors—give it a try!

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[Paper Plate Stencil] Snowflake

[Easy Craft] Simple Snowflake Stencils Made from Paper Plates ♪ Includes a Salt Trick! [For Ages 1–2]

[Paper Plate Stencil] Snowflake

Let’s make snowflakes with warm, cozy paper-plate stencils to ease the chill of winter! This teacher-and-child project uses easy-to-find materials—paper plates, paint, and salt—to create an original winter scene.

First, have the child paint a blue background on drawing paper using water-diluted paint.

It doesn’t need to be perfectly even—feel free to paint freely.

Before the paint dries, sprinkle salt over the top.

As the salt dissolves, it creates the distinctive sparkle of snowflakes.

Finally, use the stencil and white paint, dabbing color on with a sponge to reveal the snowflake shapes.

Teachers should prepare the stencils from paper plates in advance.

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Drawing coffee cup

Coffee Cup Craft for 1-Year-Olds [Yaizu Preschool]

Drawing coffee cup

Here’s an idea for a personalized drawing project: an illustrated coffee cup.

All you need is a large mug shape made from drawing paper.

Use it as a canvas and draw freely.

You can color the mug, draw pictures, or simply add lines—anything goes.

Paints are also a great option for adding color.

There are no specific rules, so just let your brush move as you feel.

You’ll likely end up with wonderfully unique creations, and it’ll be fun to share and show them to each other.

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