[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 Craft Ideas (31–40)

Tissue paper heart

Let’s make a tissue-paper heart that’s perfect for February.

We’ll use tissue paper in colors like red and pink to create a warm, heart-shaped wall decoration together.

First, the teacher prepares tissue paper cut to a size that’s easy to crumple, and the children gently crumple the pieces.

Next, they stick the crumpled tissue paper onto the area the teacher has prepared.

In the end, we’ll arrange them so they form a heart shape, and it’s best to do this step together with the teacher.

Stamping little hearts around it also looks adorable.

Even in the cold of winter, this will warm the heart—and when you show it to parents, they’re sure to be delighted!

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Tear and Stick! Making Oni (Demon) Crafts

Speaking of February, Setsubun season is here.

This oni-themed craft is perfect for getting into the Setsubun spirit.

Adults should handle the advance cutting of parts and the steps to assemble the oni.

What we’d like the children to do is tear construction paper into long thin strips and stick them onto the base.

They’ll make the oni’s pants by gluing long, thin black strips onto a light yellow backing.

The key is to leave small gaps and stick them in the same direction.

Once the pants are done, next have them place round stickers that match the oni’s color onto the hair pieces.

If you prepare multiple oni in red, blue, yellow, and so on, kids can enjoy placing stickers while recognizing colors—highly recommended.

Finally, attach the oni to the base and you’re done! Once finished, hang them on the room wall and enjoy the Setsubun atmosphere.

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Valentine’s made with sponge stamps

https://www.tiktok.com/@hoiku.labo/video/7193253472257445121

How about enjoying a cute Valentine’s craft using sponge stamps? First, attach a sponge to a chopstick with a rubber band to make your sponge stamp.

Next, prepare a piece of construction paper cut into a heart shape, dab your preferred paint color onto the sponge stamp, and stamp away.

Finally, glue the heart-shaped paper onto another sheet of paper and draw whatever you like to finish.

The simple pom-pom stamping motion is something kids will likely get absorbed in and enjoy.

Give it a try for inspiration!

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A cute Valentine’s craft with heart-shaped balloons

@tomo_mama_♬ Kids & Toys – FASSounds

A must-see for anyone who wants to incorporate heart motifs into their Valentine’s crafts! Here’s a cute project for making heart-shaped balloons.

First, draw a base picture on construction paper.

You can also paste photos of people or animals for an adorable touch.

Next, press and pinch a toilet paper roll into a heart shape.

Dip the heart-shaped roll in paint and stamp it all over the empty spaces on the paper.

Finally, connect the hearts to the illustration you drew by drawing balloon strings from the bottom of each heart—and you’re done.

Put lots of love into each heart and give it a try!

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Electric Shock Demon

When it comes to crafts using origami and crayons that are perfect for two-year-olds, the “Rip-Rip Oni” is highly recommended.

Since Setsubun season brings out the ogre theme, why not try making an ogre with origami this time? Tear origami paper into pieces and paste them onto a backing sheet, then draw the hair with crayons.

Attach horns and facial parts made from construction paper, and finally use a cotton swab as a stamp to dot the beans—then it’s done.

Tearing paper and freely drawing with crayons will let each child’s personality shine, making for truly lovely creations.

It’s a winter origami idea that encourages children’s free expression.

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mutō

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[Childcare] Crafts to make with 2-year-olds! A fun collection of February craft ideas (41–50)

Oni Pants Made with a Marble Run

@s_sennsei_
The need to scare kids with the Setsubun ogre gets debated every year—how is it at everyone’s daycare?Nursery teacher / Childcare worker Production Oni's Underpants #CapCut
♬ One More Last Time – sped up – Henry Young & Ashley Alisha

Here’s a recommended February craft for 1-year-olds.

February means Setsubun ogres, right? Prepare an empty box or tray, paint, construction paper, marbles, and ogre parts.

First, place the construction paper inside the box or tray.

Put some paint along the edges of the paper, then roll the marbles around inside the tray.

Once you’ve made a pattern, cut it into the shape of pants to finish! Attach the pants to the ogre parts.

For 1-year-olds, it’s best to thin the paint slightly with water.

Try adding faces and horns to the ogre parts and have fun experimenting!

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kepiko

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Topping Chocolate Stick

Let’s make original decorations! Here are some ideas for toppings that look like chocolate sticks.

What you’ll need: straws, construction paper cut into heart shapes, tissue paper, double-sided tape, ribbon, pipe cleaners, yarn, craft glue, and decorative materials.

How about decorating heart-shaped “chocolates” made from construction paper together with kids who are increasingly eager to do things on their own? It’s perfect for Valentine’s Day crafts, too! Give it a try!

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