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! A fun collection of February craft ideas (41–50)

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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Valentine’s crafts with handprints and stamps

[Daycare] Valentine's Day craft [1-year-olds]

Valentine’s crafts with handprints and stamps

Here’s a craft idea using stamps that’s perfect as a Valentine’s gift.

You’ll need construction paper, a melamine sponge, and paint.

First, make a stamp with the melamine sponge and paint, then press it onto the construction paper.

Try to get an even coat of color, but feel free to stamp freely.

Next, add paint and use your hands to apply more color.

Finally, decorate with paper cutout motifs and add a message to finish.

The stamping and hand-printing are fun, and the recipient is sure to feel happy receiving it.

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Gift box made with paper cups

[Craft Play] Let's make an easy Valentine's gift box with paper cups

Gift box made with paper cups

Here’s how to make a cute gift box from a paper cup! First, cut off the wide rim so the cup can lie flat.

Make vertical slits around the rim area, each going a little less than halfway down.

Cut a strip of origami paper (or similar) and wrap it around the cup like a cake decoration, then stick it on.

Put your present inside the cup.

Close the top by folding down the slit sections, tape them in place, and add a ribbon to finish! The way you make the slits will change how the lid looks when closed, so get creative and have fun experimenting.

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Snowman Wreath

Let’s make a snowman-themed wreath that’s perfect for winter crafts! It’s very easy to put together with simple steps, so if you’re looking for a February project idea, give this a try.

To make it, just cut colored construction paper into circles and connect them into a wreath shape.

The teacher can prepare the wreath base, and the children can decorate it with stickers, origami, and more.

Also, making the snowman’s face a bit larger will give it an especially cute look.

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Clothes and hats made with decalcomania

[Technique] Making with Decalcomania! Winter/February Craft Journal: “I Tried Designing Clothes” — For 2- and 3-Year-Olds — [Nursery/Kindergarten]

Clothes and hats made with decalcomania

This project uses the decalcomania technique, where paint is pressed between sheets of paper to create a transfer.

This time, we’re going with a winter theme: mittens and knit caps! Place paint freely on one half of a drawing paper with a preliminary sketch, then fold it in half to press.

After it dries well, cut it out to match the sketch and paste the pieces onto a backing sheet along with the facial and body parts.

Observe your friends’ faces, touch and check the placement, and then have the teacher and children draw in the facial features together to finish.

Teachers handle the cutting of the drawing paper, while children can take the lead in creating patterns, pasting, and drawing the faces so they can fully enjoy the process.

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Warm, hearty stew made with construction paper

[Craft] Winter craft! Making stew as a craft? It might be more fun than expected☆

Warm, hearty stew made with construction paper

Let’s make it by sticking origami pieces! Here’s an idea for a warm, hearty stew made with construction paper.

What you’ll need: a sheet of construction paper for the base, construction paper cut into a pot shape, construction paper cut into circles, construction paper cut into a spoon shape, orange origami paper, green origami paper, white paint, scissors, and glue or tape.

First, paint the stew roux with white paint.

Next, cut the origami paper with scissors to represent the ingredients.

Finally, stick the cut origami pieces on, and you’re done!

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Crumpled paper-bag ogre mask

Crumpled and Cute Oni Mask [February / Setsubun Craft]

Crumpled paper-bag ogre mask

Wearable craft! We’re introducing a crinkly ogre (oni) mask made from a paper bag.

What you’ll need: a brown envelope, newspaper, hair parts for the oni made from construction paper, face parts for the oni made from construction paper, round stickers in your favorite colors, glue or tape, construction paper, and rubber bands.

How about making an oni mask you can wear for Setsubun events? The key is to enjoy the process while nurturing each child’s individuality.

Be sure to watch how their expressions change as they create!

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