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] Recommended Craft Ideas to Make in February (41–50)

Chocolate decoration that rolls marbles

February makes you think of Valentine’s Day, doesn’t it? For crafts during this season, we recommend chocolate-themed decorations that you can enjoy like a game.

Prepare a container you don’t mind getting dirty, such as an empty tin or a box lid.

Place a heart-shaped piece of construction paper inside, then add marbles coated with paint.

Roll the marbles around to create patterns.

Use your wrists and upper body to move them so you don’t drop the marbles.

It’s a good idea to let your child choose the color of the paper and the paint.

Enjoy watching the patterns take shape and the process of completing the craft while moving your body.

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[For 3-year-olds] Recommended craft ideas to make in February (51–60)

Wobbling snowman made from a paper plate

@hoiku.labo
[Perfect for February paper plate crafts] Make a wobbly paper plate snowman ⛄️Childcare Nursery teacher / Childcare worker Kindergarten Teacher Childcare job openings Childcare Column #NurseryTeacherThings #IWantToConnectWithChildcareWorkers #Nursery School Craft #DaycarePreparation Nursery School Practicum Childcare student Aspiring childcare worker Childcare Job Lab Nursery teacher skills Job change activities #JobChange #nursery_teacher_job_change Nursery teacher employment Production #Craft work Production paper plate Paper Plate Craft Paper plate craft
Subtitle – Official HIGE DANDism

February still brings plenty of cold weather, and some areas even see snowfall.

Let’s make the most of the season with a snowman-themed craft! All you need are a paper plate and construction paper—both available at 100-yen shops, so it’s easy to get started.

Fold the paper plate in half to make the body, and cut out a head shape from white construction paper.

Attach the head to the body, then make a hat from construction paper in your favorite color.

Use different colored paper to create mitten shapes and add patterns, then draw the face and body.

This craft looks cute displayed in a room, and it’s also fun to play with by gently rocking it.

The charm of this idea is that you can enjoy not only the making process but also the finished piece afterward.

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Fluffy creation with colors that rub off

http://www.lemon8-app.com

This is a project that lets kids enjoy making art while playing with the fluffy feel of cotton.

First, scribble on aluminum foil with crayons, then rub cotton over the scribbles.

Like magic, the crayon color transfers onto the cotton.

Attach the colored cotton to construction paper to make the snowman’s body.

Add eyes, a nose, and a hat, then draw the arms and falling snow to complete a cute snowman.

Scribbling with crayons, the surprising way white cotton picks up color, the tactile finger sensations, and watching the snowman come together—all are delightful ideas kids will love engaging with!

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Oni Masks and Preparing for Setsubun

@lienkashii
In the 1-year-old class, we made oni (ogre) masks☺️ We drew patterns on the inside of a milk carton using strings and pipe cleaners, then used paint to make stamps! We also made paper bands so they can wear them on their heads, and we’re getting ready for Setsubun👹 We’ll keep posting about the charms of our daycare, tips from childcare workers, and helpful parenting information🎶 Please follow us at @lien_kashii3550 🤲Bean-throwing (Setsubun)Setsubun craft Demon mask #Demon Production Crafts for 1-year-olds Demon Stamp State of the nursery Make children’s everyday moments more photographic #SmilingPhoto #Nursery School Craft Fukuoka City Higashi Ward #Nursery school #FukuokaCityNurserySchool Certified Childcare and Education Center Lianshii Nursery School Parenting Childcare #AuthorizedNurserySchool Kashii #Hoikatsu (childcare enrollment activities)Searching for a nursery Life with children Mom Dad Recruiting Kindergarteners Recruiting childcare workers
♪ Original Song – Liankashii Nursery School – Liankashii Nursery School

An oni mask that’s fun to make and fun to enjoy after it’s finished is a perfect idea for a February craft.

Before you start, try reading a picture book about oni to spark creative inspiration—you might enjoy it even more.

Speaking of oni features, their hair is curly.

Let’s express that hair using stamps.

You can easily make a stamp by creating curly patterns with string or pipe cleaners on a milk carton.

Dip the stamp in paint, then dab it onto construction paper.

Cut it into a fluffy hairstyle, add horns, and you’re done.

Attach a paper band so it can be worn on the head.

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Have fun with 1-year-olds! Setsubun ideas

https://www.tiktok.com/@levwell_hoikushi/video/7587613943309339924

When February comes, we think of Setsubun, and when we think of Setsubun, we think of oni (ogres)! Some childcare centers and families might enjoy bean-throwing with a teacher dressed as an oni.

For crafts during this season, let’s make cute oni to boost the Setsubun mood! First, use white construction paper to create the oni’s hairstyle, then make the hair with crumpled washi paper.

Use a dropper to suck up paint and drip it onto the washi.

It’s fun to watch the oni’s hair gradually get dyed by the paint.

Changing colors to create a gradient can make it even more exciting.

Attach the horns and facial parts, and you’re done.

Dyeing the hair with paint and creating three-dimensional oni hair make this a delightful craft.

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Heart-shaped message card

Heart Message Card [February / Valentine’s Craft]

Heart-shaped message card

How about a heart-shaped message card that would make anyone happy to receive? It’s a creation that will delight someone special, like a dad or a nursery school teacher.

Prepare two sheets of construction paper, and cut a heart-shaped window out of one sheet.

Put paint into a clear plastic bag and mix it.

A zippered storage bag from a 100-yen shop works just fine! Attach the bag to the other sheet of construction paper, then glue the heart-cut sheet on top.

Finish by decorating with paper hearts and bunnies, lace, or crayons! It’s fun to create gradients by mixing paint colors and to think about what new colors will appear as you work.

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[Milk Carton] Oni Bean-Holder Bag

[Childcare Craft] Perfect for Setsubun crafts! Bean holder made from a paper carton | Setsubun Handmade Bean Case

[Milk Carton] Oni Bean-Holder Bag

Let’s make an ogre-themed bean container out of a milk carton—perfect for Setsubun festivities! The method is simple: cut off the top portion of the milk carton to turn it into a small box.

Then attach colored construction paper and ogre parts to the carton, and decorate it however you like.

You can also use leftover pieces of the carton to create a handle so children can carry it around.

If 3-year-olds are attempting this craft, it’s best for teachers or guardians to handle the cutting of the milk carton.

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