Have fun with one-year-olds! A collection of craft ideas featuring recommended January motifs
January is the season for crafts that let you enjoy the New Year atmosphere with children! One-year-olds love using their fingers and experiencing the feel of paint.
Here, we introduce craft ideas featuring January-specific motifs like kite flying, kagami mochi, and daruma.
Crumple and paste tissue paper, dab with stamps, or roll marbles around.
Each activity is something children can immerse themselves in and thoroughly enjoy.
Savor the lingering New Year spirit while enjoying seasonal crafts with the kids! Since the children’s creations are treated as artworks, the term is written as “seisaku” (制作) in the text.
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Have fun with one-year-olds! A collection of craft ideas featuring recommended January motifs (41–50)
[Hanakami] Smiling Snowman
![[Hanakami] Smiling Snowman](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/N45if3ALWEw/sddefault.jpg)
This is a smiling snowman made with tissue paper, and its simple method is part of the charm.
First, tear the tissue paper into lots of vertical strips, put them into a plastic bag, and tie the tip of the bag.
Next, round both ends of the bag to shape it into a snowman.
Tie the middle with a pipe cleaner, then add round stickers for the eyes and mouth—and it’s done! The steps of tearing and crumpling the tissue paper are great for developing children’s fine motor skills, too.
The finished snowman can be displayed on a surface or used as a wall decoration, helping children feel the season of January.
[Scribble] Ema (votive plaque) making
![[Scribble] Ema (votive plaque) making](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/0ZzUTQdBIOc/sddefault.jpg)
Why not make ema (Shinto votive plaques) with the children as a recommended craft or wall decoration for January? It will be a great opportunity for one-year-olds to experience traditional New Year’s customs! First, the teacher should prepare the ema bases in advance.
It’s nice to add auspicious motifs like pine, bamboo, and plum.
Next, let the children freely draw with crayons, pens, or paints! How about entrusting it to their free imagination and creating one-of-a-kind works of art?
[Stencil] Pompom Snowman
![[Stencil] Pompom Snowman](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/AmGQG8IKnjo/sddefault.jpg)
Let us introduce a snowman you can make using a stencil technique, with the fun of sponge painting! A snowman is the perfect motif for chilly January.
First, sketch two circles—one large and one small—on a clear plastic file and cut them out with a craft knife.
Next, place the circular openings of the clear file onto colored construction paper, dab paint onto a sponge, and tap the sponge to apply the color.
To finish, add a hat, nose, mittens, and other parts made from construction paper—and you’re done! For a cooperative and fun project, the teacher can handle making the stencil itself, while the children do the sponge painting and glue on the parts.
[Stencil] Snowflake
![[Stencil] Snowflake](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Ga6dzZiFPhI/sddefault.jpg)
You can stencil with a paper plate! Here’s a winter-perfect snowflake craft.
You’ll need a paper plate, white drawing paper, paint, salt, and a sponge.
First, paint the entire sheet of drawing paper.
Before the paint dries, sprinkle salt on it.
The salted areas will become snowflakes.
Next, fold the paper plate three times, trace a snowflake shape along the folds, and cut it out to make a stencil.
Place the paper plate on the painted paper and dab color with a paint-loaded sponge.
Remove the plate to reveal a beautiful snowflake.
[Toilet Paper Tube] Rolling Snowman
![[Toilet Paper Tube] Rolling Snowman](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/BufltcgzIp4/sddefault.jpg)
Try making a rolling snowman using toilet paper cores! To make it, stack two halves of a paper core wrapped in white origami paper, attach them together with double-sided tape, and add a hat and face.
If working with one-year-olds, have the teacher prepare the snowman base, and let the children enjoy decorating by sticking round stickers or drawing.
It’s a perfect idea for the cold season.
Why not incorporate this craft on a chilly day?
[Empty containers of lactic acid bacteria drinks] Snowflake stamp
![[Empty containers of lactic acid bacteria drinks] Snowflake stamp](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/fx-X0RrAS10/sddefault.jpg)
Let’s make a snowflake stamp that 1-year-olds can enjoy playing with! This is an easy craft idea using an empty lactic acid bacteria drink container.
First, place a plastic bottle cap over the mouth of the empty container and secure it with vinyl tape.
Next, cut a collision-prevention cushion sheet into a snowflake shape and attach it to the top of the cap with double-sided tape—that’s it! Add color with a stamp pad or paint, then dab and stamp away.
By changing the snowflake shapes and trying different colors, you can further nurture children’s imagination.
[Paper Plates] Handmade Spinning Tops
![[Paper Plates] Handmade Spinning Tops](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/XmTFEl9THyY/sddefault.jpg)
A spinning top that you can easily make with everyday materials like paper plates is perfect for a January craft and lets you enjoy a seasonal vibe! To make it, fold a paper plate in half, open it, then rotate it 90 degrees.
Fold it in half again and open it to create a cross-shaped set of crease lines.
After decorating, stick a plastic bottle cap to the center of the plate with double-sided tape—and you’re done! For decorations, you can tear and paste origami or chiyogami paper, add stickers, or draw with pens and crayons—there are lots of ways to customize it.
After making them, you can also host a spinning-top competition with family or teachers for extra fun!



