Lovely childcare

[Childcare] Fun to Make! February Craft Ideas Collection

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.
9 years of experience as a nursery school teacherShibata Risa
I am an active nursery school teacher with 9 years of experience. After graduating from university, I worked at a daycare center. The time I spent happily with children—playing piano, singing songs, and doing finger-play—are priceless memories to me. Currently, while raising three children of my own, I work at an after-school day service, engaging with children and providing individualized developmental support. Drawing on my diverse experiences as a childcare worker and as a mother, I hope to express and convey my thoughts through writing.

February is full of unique delights—like Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, and activities that make the most of the cold, such as ice-making—that children look forward to.

However, when it snows or the temperature drops too low, there will be more days when you can’t go outside.

So this time, we’re sharing craft ideas perfect for February.

We’ve gathered lots of fun projects that will excite children and blow away the winter chill.

Be sure to try making them together with your kids.

Note: Since items made by children are treated as artworks, we refer to them as “creations” in the text.

[Childcare] Fun to Make! February Craft Ideas (41–50)

Handmade demon decoration made of felt

[Setsubun] Handmade Oni decoration with felt / felt

Handmade demon decoration made of felt

Let’s make an oni (demon) decoration out of felt—it’s fun to cut and paste the pieces together.

Cut the felt into a semicircle, shape it into a conical body, and glue the felt in place.

Stuff the oni’s torso with cotton to give it a three-dimensional shape.

Apply glue to the bottom, cap it with felt of the same color, trim around the edge, and the oni’s body is complete.

Add patterns by attaching felt to the horn area, and finish by creating the eyes and mouth.

You can also play with different colors for the face and body to make it extra cute.

Give it a try for Setsubun!

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Make it with origami! Oni wreath

For Setsubun decorations: How to make an origami Oni (demon) wreath.

Make it with origami! Oni wreath

Let’s make a wreath using familiar origami.

Prepare eight square pieces of origami paper and fold them into the same shape.

After making the crease lines, the key is to fold evenly, carefully aligning with the lines.

When assembling the parts into a wreath shape, it may be easier if you picture where the ogre’s hair and horns will go.

Slip a sheet of Japanese-patterned origami into the background, attach the ogre origami, and you’re done.

It becomes a lovely wreath that lets you feel the transition from winter to spring, so please give it a try.

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Handmade ogre ornament made of yarn

[Setsubun] Handmade yarn oni decoration / Setsubun decoration / 100-yen shop DIY

Handmade ogre ornament made of yarn

The yarn oni ornament is a cute decoration perfect for February, capturing the warmth of yarn.

Prepare an egg-shaped case from a 100-yen shop as the base for the oni.

Spread glue over the egg-shaped case, then wrap yarn around it in a spiral to make the oni’s pants.

As you wrap the yarn, press it firmly with your hands so it adheres well with the glue.

After wrapping about one-third, start from the opposite side and wrap red yarn in a spiral.

Once you’ve finished wrapping the yarn all the way, make the hair, horns, and mouth, attach them, and you’re done.

Try changing the yarn colors to create different oni characters!

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Oni mask made from paper plates

[Preschool Craft] Perfect for Setsubun! A Demon Mask Made with a Paper Plate ♪ | Setsubun Demon Mask

Oni mask made from paper plates

Let’s make a simple and cute oni (demon) mask using an everyday paper plate.

Cut the paper plate in half and color the entire surface with paint or paint markers.

Next, use scissors or an awl to make openings for the eyes.

Glue on hair and horns made from construction paper or yarn, then finish by attaching a rubber band to both sides of the mask.

For the nose, make a slit with scissors to create an indentation.

It’s also recommended to use plenty of yarn for extra volume.

Another great idea is to use a plastic bottle cap for the nose to create a more three-dimensional mask.

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Fun! Setsubun Crafts You Can Play With

Super easy! Educational too!? A playable Setsubun craft 👹 Make it with your kids for Setsubun♪

Fun! Setsubun Crafts You Can Play With

Let’s make some crafts to play with during Setsubun and invite good fortune.

For the craft where you race to see whether the red ogre or the blue ogre reaches the goal first, draw an ogre on thick paper and cut it out with scissors.

Cut some straws and glue them together in a V shape, thread a string through, and you’re done.

Be careful with the size of the ogre drawing—if it’s too big, it might be hard to play with.

For the craft where you can “defeat the ogre,” attach a string to a clear handle and cover it with clear tape.

Trim any excess with scissors, stick on the ogre you made, and it’s complete.

Try tossing pom-poms to defeat the ogre and have fun.

Since the pom-poms are soft, this is a craft that even small children can enjoy.

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