Lovely childcare

[For 3-year-olds] A collection of recommended craft ideas to make in February

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.

Many teachers may be wondering what to make for February crafts in early childhood care.

In this article, we’ll introduce February craft ideas perfect for three-year-olds.

From winter-themed creations like snowflakes and snow globes to Valentine’s heart motifs, there are plenty of seasonally inspired ideas.

Children can enjoy fine-motor activities like wrapping yarn and sticking cotton, too.

子どもたちの「やった！」という誇らしげな笑顔を思い浮かべながら計画しましょう—以下のアイデアを参考にしてください！注：本稿では子どもたちの作品を芸術作品として扱うため、「制作」は本文中を通して“artwork/creation”として表記します。

[Age 3] A collection of recommended craft ideas to make in February (71–80)

[Origami] Demon

Origami 'Oni' Easy Folding Instructions [For Ages 3 and Up] [Setsubun Craft]

[Origami] Demon

Many children look forward to Setsubun, don’t they? So, as a craft idea to build excitement for the holiday, I’d like to introduce an origami ogre (oni).

Using a single sheet of origami paper, you fold it to create the oni’s outline and horns.

Once it’s folded, draw the face with a pen.

Depending on how you draw it, the oni can look cute or cheerful—that’s part of the fun.

By the way, there are two folding patterns, allowing you to make either one horn or two.

Try both and see which you like!

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[Milk Carton] Oni Crown

Perfect for Setsubun! Make an Oni Crown from a Milk Carton [Upcycled Craft]

[Milk Carton] Oni Crown

This is a craft for making an oni (ogre) crown that you can use for Setsubun events.

It’s an eco-friendly project using a milk carton, so it’s very cost-effective! It’s something you can easily do with children.

First, open up the milk carton and cut off the bottom.

Cut both long sides into matching zigzag peaks.

Next, cut the carton in half down the middle, and make small slits at both ends for rubber bands.

Finally, link three rubber bands together, hook them into the slits, and staple them in place to complete the base of the crown! To finish, glue construction paper on the outside and decorate it with the oni’s face and horn patterns.

You can make two crowns from a single carton, so try different variations like a red oni and a blue oni!

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[Paper Plate] Oni Mask

Handmade Oni Masks! A Preschool Teacher Explains Easy Setsubun Crafts (For 3- and 4-Year-Olds)

[Paper Plate] Oni Mask

When it comes to February events, Setsubun is the classic! You might be planning a Setsubun activity at home, daycare, or kindergarten.

Here, we’ll introduce an easy oni (ogre) mask that 3-year-olds can make using a paper plate.

All you do is cut a paper plate in half and glue on colored paper with the oni’s face and horns drawn on it! You can also crumple tissue paper to decorate the oni’s hair for a cute finish.

The steps of using scissors, gluing construction paper, and crumpling tissue paper are great for developing children’s fine motor skills, so why not include this in your February craft plans?

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Oni made from toilet paper rolls

Crafting with toilet paper rolls ★ Easy! Setsubun ★ How to make a stylish and cute Red Oni! ~Red Oni Edition~ Perfect for Setsubun decorations ♪ Oni out~ ♪ Fortune in~ ♪ Let’s do bean throwing ★ reuse.recycle ★

Oni made from toilet paper rolls

You can easily make this with a toilet paper roll! Here’s a craft perfect for 3-year-olds.

First, cut a toilet paper roll in half.

Make the ogre’s pants with yellow origami paper.

Make a crease mark slightly above the center of the paper, then fold up both side edges to meet the mark.

Draw a pattern on the pants with a pen, apply glue, and stick them onto the toilet paper roll.

Next, make the ogre’s face with origami paper in your favorite color.

Make a crease mark where it will slightly overlap the pants, cut along the mark, and glue it to the top part of the toilet paper roll.

Draw the face with a pen and add any decorations you like, such as hair and horns, and you’re done!

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Penguin footprint art

Penguin Footprint Art Project: Perfect for Wall Displays for 1–3-Year-Olds!

Penguin footprint art

This penguin footprint art is perfect for recording children’s growth.

You don’t need many materials, so it’s easy to try! First, trace both of the children’s feet onto colored construction paper, cut them out into penguin shapes, and stick on eyes, a beak, and feet made from round stickers—then it’s done! If you’re going to display them on a wall, you can tear up origami paper to look like ice and combine the pieces, or add other animals like seals or polar bears to create an even more charming piece.

Also, the process of taking the footprints will likely become a memorable experience for the children.

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