[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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[Childcare] Play and craft ideas to include in February events (21–30)
A demon target-shooting game where the artwork changes!
Here’s how to make a target that changes from a strong ogre to a crying one.
First, tape a piece of cardboard to the top half of an empty box that will serve as the base.
In this state, draw a picture of a strong ogre.
Think of drawing the body on the lower box and the face on the upper cardboard.
Then flip up the cardboard, and this time draw the body on the lower cardboard and the crying ogre’s face on the upper box.
Once you’re done drawing, put the cardboard back up and secure it with a stopper.
By swapping the positions of the cardboard, the ogre illustration changes.
How to make a bean-throwing target
Bean-throwing games are a staple of Setsubun events! How about making a handmade ogre target? Cut a milk carton 10 cm up from the bottom.
Make three of these, connect them side by side, and glue them together.
Then, attach a sheet of construction paper to the back and draw an ogre illustration on it.
Finally, paste washi paper with tie-dyed patterns (for the ogre’s pants) onto the front of the milk cartons to finish.
When playing, stand the target against a wall and use balls made by crumpling newspaper, pretending they are beans.
Make different versions like a red ogre and a blue ogre, and do your best to defeat the ogres!
[Childcare] Play and craft ideas to include in February events (31–40)
bean container box
Let’s make a little box for beans with origami! First, fold the paper in half into a square twice, crease well, then unfold back to the original.
Next, fold all four corners to the center (a “zabuton” fold), then fold the left and right edges to the center and crease.
Now, open the paper back up, leaving only the top and bottom corners folded.
This time, fold the top and bottom edges to the center, crease, and unfold.
With the creasing complete, fold in the left and right sides so that the central square becomes the bottom, forming the box shape.
Try using origami with patterns you like, and decorate with stickers to make it unique!
ogre mask
Here’s a craft idea for making an oni using paper plates and yarn.
If adults prepare the face and horn parts in advance, even small children can enjoy it.
First, paint the paper plate with your favorite paints.
Since it will be the oni’s face, red or blue are classics.
Once the paint dries, glue horns and yarn at the top to represent the hair.
Finally, attach the face parts and it’s done! It’s also fun to create the face with crayon resist art.
Let the children freely place each part on purpose, so they can fully express their individuality.
A bubble art snowman
https://www.tiktok.com/@levwell_hoikushi/video/7587300923865648405Soap-bubble art creates unique patterns.
This time, let’s use the technique to make a snowman.
First, prepare some colored bubble solution.
Just mix soap solution into white paint thinned with water.
Dip a toilet paper roll core into the bubble solution and use it as a stamp so that two circles connect.
These will be the snowman’s head and body.
Once it’s dry, draw the face, hands, and a scarf with pens or crayons to finish a cute snowman.
Valentine sun catcher
It sparkles in the light and looks so cute! Let’s make a sun catcher with a Valentine’s theme.
First, cut your favorite color of construction paper into a heart shape.
Cut out the inside the same way to create a heart-shaped frame.
Next, fold a piece of parchment (or baking) paper in half, and on just one side, glue small pieces of transparent origami paper.
Once you’ve covered enough to fill the inside of the heart, place the paper frame on top of the origami pieces, apply glue to the remaining side of the folded parchment paper, and sandwich them together to adhere.
Trim off any excess sticking out from the frame, and you’re done!
Valentine wreath
Get into the Valentine’s spirit with a handmade craft! Here’s a wreath idea made using heart stamps.
Make the stamp by sticking a heart-shaped sponge sticker onto the cap of a small lactic acid drink bottle.
For the wreath base, cut a circular frame out of construction paper.
Once you’ve prepared pink or red ink or paint, stamp hearts all over the base until it’s filled.
Finish by adding parts for your favorite animal and a ribbon, and you’re done!