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 (11–20)

bean container

[Setsubun Craft] Make it with a paper cup! How to make an oni (demon) bean holder [Ashitaba Channel]

bean container

Let’s make a cute ogre-themed bean container to enjoy Setsubun bean-throwing even more.

As prep, punch two holes near the rim of a paper cup, thread a chenille stem (pipe cleaner) through, and make a handle.

Then have the children glue on crumpled paper to create hair and add facial parts to finish.

For very young children, it’s best to pre-cut the facial parts so they can choose eyes, a nose, and a mouth and stick them on.

For kids who are used to using scissors, let them cut their own parts and try making ogres with different expressions—angry, smiling, and more.

You’ll get uniquely expressive and fun creations.

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Oni Horns

Craft Play: Oni Horns Made from Milk Cartons for Setsubun Crafts

Oni Horns

When you think of an ogre’s trademark, it’s the yellow horns, right? Here’s an easy way to make horns you can put on.

First, cut a milk carton into an oval shape, punch holes on both sides, and thread an elastic cord through them.

Adjust the length of the elastic to fit the actual size of the face so it won’t slip off.

Glue yarn hair and cone-shaped horns made from thick paper onto the milk carton, and you’re done.

Since there are many steps that can be tricky for younger children, it’s best for an adult to help and make them together.

Let kids choose their favorite yarn and horn colors and mix them up—the color variations make for fun, colorful ogre horns, which we highly recommend.

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Oni Target-Throwing Game

DIY Setsubun: Oni Target-Throw Game | How to Make an Ogre Extermination Game

Oni Target-Throwing Game

How about making oni targets and enjoying a target-throwing game? It’s sure to get everyone excited for Setsubun! It’s easy to make: fill a capsule toy container with oil clay, then stick in a bamboo skewer with a drawing of an oni attached—voilà, you’ve got a wobbling roly-poly oni! The way it pops back up no matter how many times it gets knocked over is uniquely fun and addictive.

Since inserting the bamboo skewer can be dangerous, it’s best for an adult to help.

For children aged 1 to 3, we recommend having them color an oni picture drawn by a teacher.

As children get older, make the oni drawings on the targets smaller so they can develop their aim while playing.

It’s a game that’s fun for both individuals and groups, so give it a try!

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Hanging decorations for Setsubun

[Craft Idea] Hanging Decorations for Setsubun (February Setsubun) (Wall Decorations) (Senior Recreation/OT/Daycare) (Early Childhood Learning) (Origami) (Kirie/Paper Cutting) (DIY)

Hanging decorations for Setsubun

A full lineup of Setsubun-inspired motifs! This wall decoration is perfect for February, featuring a hanging display of origami ogres (oni), oni underpants, ehomaki sushi rolls, holly with sardines (hiiragi iwashi), plum blossoms, and more.

Since the folding for the ogres and their pants can be a bit tricky, it might be nice to have the children handle drawing the faces and patterns.

The ehomaki are easy: just roll black paper into a tube, stuff tissue inside, and attach finely cut pieces of origami to look like the fillings—give it a try together.

Once everything is finished, attach each piece to strings and hang or display them on the wall.

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Oni masks made with various materials and techniques

Let’s make oni masks using fun art techniques! The way to create the mask base and horn parts is the same; only the hair section uses different techniques.

We’ll introduce bleeding watercolor, wax-resist painting, torn-paper collage, and ideas that use glued-on yarn or tissue paper.

During Setsubun, we drive away oni by throwing beans.

Oni are scary, but wearing a mask you made yourself might give you the courage to face them.

Enjoy the crafting process and try expressing your own kind of strength!

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