[Childcare] Play and craft ideas to include in February events
Speaking of February events, Setsubun and Valentine’s Day come to mind.
Some of you are probably brainstorming event ideas like bean-throwing or cute crafts.
On the other hand, there may be people who struggle to come up with fresh ideas for annual traditions.
For those people, this time we’ll share play activities and craft ideas that are perfect for Setsubun and Valentine’s Day.
Incorporating new ideas is sure to make your events much more exciting.
Be sure to check out these ideas before you start preparing for your events.
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- Parent–child interactive play. Fun activities popular in childcare settings and at parent–child observation days.
- [For preschoolers] A collection of origami ideas to enjoy February, including Setsubun and Valentine’s Day
- Indoor games that different ages can enjoy! Ideas for fun everyone can get excited about together
- Play activities recommended for childcare in February: ideas to enjoy seasonal events
- Fun Setsubun Activities for Childcare: A Collection of Exciting Games and Craft Ideas
[Childcare] Play and craft ideas to include in February events (71–80)
Bean Grabbing Game
The bean-picking game is a fun way to exercise the fingers.
In this idea, you use chopsticks to pick up beans and place them on a paper plate with an illustration of an ogre.
Adding rules like “Put in as many beans as your age” or “Put in as many as you want to eat” can make it even more enjoyable.
Some children may find it difficult to grasp the beans well with chopsticks.
In that case, prepare a spoon for them or have the teacher provide training chopsticks.
Once they get used to it, it’s also fun to compete to see how many beans they can put in.
playing in the snow
On days when snow piles up in regions that don’t get much of it, kids will be bursting to go play outside.
At times like this, even if you already had a main activity planned, let them fully enjoy nature’s gift! Building snowmen, making small igloos, and having snowball fights are precious experiences you can only have when there’s snow on the ground.
Bundle them up well so they don’t catch a cold, and while teaching them how to make a snowman and the rules of a snowball fight, let them revel in winter-only play within the teacher’s line of sight.
Cha-cha-cha of the Snowman
Here’s a hand-play song with a wintery theme of “snow” and “snowmen.” In this song, you first use both hands to show snow falling and piling up.
Then, you touch your fingertips together to make the round shape of a snowman, and finally, you rotate your clenched hands in front of your chest to show a dancing snowman.
It’s short, but it sparks children’s imaginations and teaches them the joy of playing in the snow.
If the part where you clap quickly three times is difficult, slow down the overall tempo and enjoy it at a comfortable speed.
In conclusion
We introduced games and crafts themed around February events like Setsubun and Valentine’s Day.
Did you find any ideas the children might enjoy? I imagine each preschool has different policies for both events.
I hope you can enjoy them while keeping safety and trouble prevention in mind.