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)

Origami snow rabbit

“Childcare Ideas: Winter Origami” Fold in 4 + 5 Steps! Snow Rabbit Origami (Kids Can Make It Themselves!) · Origami Snow Rabbit Easy

Origami snow rabbit

If you’re looking for an easy winter craft, here’s an origami snow rabbit you can start right away! It’s designed for two-year-olds, so there are very few folds, making it easy to create with a teacher’s help.

To make it, fold a sheet of origami paper into a triangle, then fold three corners—the left, right, and top—triangularly inward.

The key is to make the left triangle fold a bit larger! Flip it over, then finish by adding the rabbit’s ears, eyes, nose, and mouth.

You can also make the ears by folding a smaller piece of origami paper.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

[Childcare] Crafts to make with 2-year-olds! A fun collection of February craft ideas (51–60)

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.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Colorful Oni Made with Balloons

Since Setsubun is coming up, I made an oni (demon) out of balloons.

Colorful Oni Made with Balloons

Pick your own parts and create your own! Here are some colorful oni (ogre) balloon craft ideas.

What you’ll need: balloons in your favorite colors, paper oni face parts, paper horns, double-sided tape, and yarn.

This craft is perfect for children at the stage where their sense of self is developing and they’re starting to express their intentions through words and actions.

Have them choose the facial features themselves and stick them on the balloon to make the oni’s face.

Even children who find oni scary may feel more comfortable with one they made themselves.

It’s great if you can keep the activity fun and lighthearted.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Making oni masks

Making Oni Masks with 2-Year-Olds [Yaizu Preschool]

Making oni masks

Let’s make oni masks for Setsubun on February 3! First, cut construction paper to prepare parts like the oni’s horns, eyes, nose, and fangs.

Have the children enjoy applying glue with their fingers to each part and sticking them onto the base sheet.

For details you want to show with thin lines, such as hair or the mouth, drawing directly with crayons works well, but gluing on yarn is also recommended.

Once the oni’s face is complete, attach it to a band so it can be worn on the head, and it’s finished!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

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?

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Snowman wall decoration

[Paper Plate Craft] Make it in 5 Minutes! An Easy Snowman Wall Decoration Using Paper Plates

Snowman wall decoration

Even in the cold season, our hearts stay warm! A snowman wall decoration that nurtures children’s creativity is packed with the fun of using their fingertips.

In a cozy classroom with teachers, kids can create unique pieces using colorful paper and decorations.

Even the moment a child holds scissors for the first time can become a joyful experience through this handmade activity.

Shall we spread the wings of creativity in a bright and calm atmosphere? With a little thoughtfulness for safety, it’s sure to be a hit!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Snowman handprint art

This is a handprint art project that uses the shape of finger joints to create snowmen.

Paint your hand with paint and stamp it onto construction paper.

While snowmen made with children’s hands are very cute, creating the small snowmen on the fingertips can be tricky when working with kids, so using the handprints of teachers or caregivers may be more suitable for this activity.

Attach hat pieces to the tips of the five fingers and draw faces on the pads of the fingers to make five snowmen! Add falling snow in the blank areas using a cotton swab stamp, and you’ll have a wintery craft all finished.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

In conclusion

We introduced recommended craft ideas for February.

Seasonal motifs like ogres for Setsubun, Valentine’s chocolates, and snowmen capture children’s interest.

Steps that use their fingers—tearing, rolling, and pasting—are activities that two-year-olds can become absorbed in.

Be sure to enjoy these seasonal crafts together with the children.