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)

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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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 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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