Lovely childcare

[Childcare] Fun February craft ideas you’ll want to make with 2-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.

Here are some perfect craft ideas for two-year-olds in February.

This is the season to enjoy motifs full of seasonal charm, like Setsubun ogres, Valentine’s chocolates, and snowmen.

Tearing origami, crumpling tissue paper, and making finger stamps—these activities let children move their hands while experiencing the textures of different materials.

Finished pieces can be displayed on the wall or used for pretend play, offering many ways to enjoy them.

Be sure to have fun making February-themed creations together with the children! Since we emphasize ideas that foster children’s free creativity, we use the term “制作 (seisaku: creation/making)” rather than “製作 (seisaku: craft/production)” in the main text.

[Childcare] Crafts to make with 2-year-olds! Fun February project ideas (21–30)

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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Oni Made with Sponge Stamps

Perfect for February Setsubun crafts: Let’s make oni (demons) with sponge stamps! #preschoolcrafts #nurseryteacher #teachingideas #traineenurseryteacher #teacherlife #withkids #spongestamp #Setsubuncraft #spongestampart

Oni Made with Sponge Stamps

Here’s a craft idea for making an ogre using a sponge for dabbing on color.

First, glue together the parts made from construction paper—such as the ogre’s face, hair, horns, and fangs.

Once the base is ready, load a sponge with paint and dab it like a stamp to add patterns to the hair area.

If you switch to red and stamp the cheeks, it should make a cute-looking ogre.

After that, draw in the facial features to finish.

Since it can be tricky to hold a sponge well, try fixing it to the end of an easy-to-grip stick, like a disposable chopstick.

That way, it’ll be easier for children to handle.

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[Childcare] Crafts to Make with 2-Year-Olds! Fun February Craft Ideas (31–40)

Heart stamp

[By Age] 4 Cute Heart Crafts 💝 [Daycare/Kindergarten]

Heart stamp

Creative activities using fingertips help nurture the senses of two-year-olds and enhance their concentration.

For example, how about trying a “heart stamp” craft for Valentine’s Day on February 14? As shown in the reference video, it’s easy to make with simple materials, so it’s an approachable activity.

Finger-pressed stamps become even more fun just by changing the colors.

Plus, when teachers join in and use handprints to form hearts, the children create memorable, lovely pieces.

Let’s bring a warm atmosphere to everyday childcare through heartfelt creative activities.

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Painting with paints and cotton swabs

[Crafts] Recommended for the cold season! 3 winter craft ideas [Daycare/Kindergarten]

Painting with paints and cotton swabs

Let’s try painting with tempera and cotton swabs! If we just say that, kids might ask, “But how do we paint?” Instead of regular drawing, make use of the cotton swabs’ unique tip and create pictures by connecting dots.

Put undiluted paint or a slightly thick mixture onto a palette.

Dip the tip of a cotton swab into the paint and make dots as if you’re stamping.

For two-year-olds, it may be easier if there’s a light sketch to follow.

Try winter motifs like Christmas trees or snowmen and have fun!

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Snowman made from a toilet paper roll

[Preschool Craft] Winter Craft ♪ Cute Rolling Snowman | Snowman with Toilet Paper

Snowman made from a toilet paper roll

Turn a toilet paper roll into a perfectly round, adorable snowman! Cut a toilet paper roll in half and wrap each half with white origami paper.

Stack and glue the two pieces together to form the snowman’s base, then finish by drawing the facial features and adding round stickers to the cheeks and body.

For safety, have teachers handle cutting the roll and gluing the paper, while children can stack the two parts and complete the snowman with the round stickers.

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Snowman made with a plastic bag

[Craft Play] Easy-to-make snowman using a plastic bag

Snowman made with a plastic bag

Fluffy and cute! Here’s an idea for making a snowman using a plastic bag.

You’ll need a plastic bag, cotton stuffing, yarn in your favorite color, a paper cup, cotton swabs, snowman face parts made from construction paper, decorative pom-poms, and craft glue.

First, put the cotton stuffing into the plastic bag.

Next, tie the yarn around it like a scarf.

Finally, decorate it with the face parts and pom-poms, and you’re done! It’ll look adorable displayed by the entryway or on top of a locker.

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[Finger Paint] Snow Bunny

Here’s a fun fingertip activity featuring a snow bunny.

First, make a base snow bunny out of construction paper, then let the children add color with finger painting.

I want them to enjoy the squishy feel of the paint and the way the colors appear as they touch it.

Regular paints are fine, but I also recommend preparing pastel colors.

Their soft hues evoke the winter atmosphere and the delicate charm of a snow bunny.

You can even find what you need at 100-yen shops, so give it a try.

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