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 (21–30)

A three-dimensional ogre made with origami

[Setsubun 100-Yen DIY] Oni (demon) made with origami 👹

A three-dimensional ogre made with origami

Many children might have a scary image of oni (ogres).

However, this oni is a cute, cone-shaped one! With some origami paper, you can easily meet a cute oni.

First, cut one sheet of origami into a semicircle.

Using a protractor, mark off about 135 degrees.

Take another sheet of origami, cut it into a semicircle as well, then trim it down to a 135-degree sector and cut it into about three long, narrow strips.

Paste these together with the first piece so they look like stripes, then roll them up into a cone shape.

Next, use chenille stems (pipe cleaners) to make the oni’s hair, and use round stickers or small pieces of cut origami to create and attach the facial features and patterns.

That’s it—you’re done!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

A three-dimensional oni mask

Make an Oni Mask! Easy How-To for Setsubun (Ages 3 and up)

A three-dimensional oni mask

Here’s how to make a paper oni mask that’s perfect for Setsubun using colored construction paper! First, cut out the oni parts.

Let the children do the cutting according to their age—it’s great scissor practice.

Next, cut yarn for the hair.

Glue the yarn onto the hair backing.

Be sure to apply the glue to the backing paper! Once you stick on all the parts, it’s done! When kids do the gluing, you get all kinds of adorable faces.

Add a band and it becomes a wearable mask for play, or hang it on the wall as a display.

It connects making, playing, and decorating, and it’s easy for children from about age three—give it a try!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Setsubun Oni Handprint Art

Handprint Art: How to Make a Setsubun Oni | Petapeta-art handprint art to capture your baby’s “now”

Setsubun Oni Handprint Art

Let’s make a Setsubun craft using handprint art to capture your child’s growth! First, stamp an upside-down handprint on the backing paper to represent the ogre’s body.

Next, stamp a footprint slightly overlapping the thumb area; this will represent the kanabō (spiked club).

For the ogre’s head, imagine a circle and create it with finger stamps.

Once the ink is dry, glue on the ogre’s hair and shorts made from chiyogami paper, then draw the face, horns, and the club’s pattern with a pen to finish! Decorating the blank areas of the backing paper would also look lovely.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

a one-horned ogre

Recommended for Setsubun crafts! Let’s make an oni (demon) face with origami.

First, fold the paper into a triangle to make a crease.

Open it back up, then fold the two left edges in to meet the crease.

Once you’ve done that, rotate the paper so the folded left side is at the bottom, and flip it over.

Next, fold the top corner down about 2 cm, then fold it back up so the tip aligns with the base of the triangle you just made.

This will be the oni’s hair.

Flip the paper over again, fold the bottom corner up to create the horns on the head.

Then fold the left and right corners inward so they line up with the sides of the part you folded up, and fold the bottom corner as well to shape the face.

Your oni is complete!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Stained glass of a heart

A heart-shaped stained glass that, when displayed by a window, catches the light and shows translucent colors.

The method is simple, so it’s easy for kids to make.

Cut construction paper into any shape you like and cover one side with clear tape.

Then stick small pieces of colored cellophane onto the clear tape.

You can place them freely in any arrangement.

February is Valentine’s season, so shapes like hearts, chocolates, or snowmen are recommended to capture the seasonal feel.

Try layering the cellophane and enjoying how the colors blend—you might discover something new.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem