[January] Enjoy with 2-year-olds! A collection of craft ideas that capture winter and the New Year

Daruma made with decalcomania

Do you know what decalcomania is? This technique, whose name comes from the French word meaning “to transfer,” changes the texture of the work depending on the thickness of the paint.

Here, we’ll make a daruma picture using decalcomania.

Fold a sheet of paper in half, paint a picture only on one of the halves, then fold it closed.

After folding, gently rub it with your hand and open it.

The fun of this method is that unexpected patterns appear.

Once opened, paste on the daruma’s face with glue to finish.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Kite Flying–Style Craft (Making)

The lion dance, often seen at New Year’s, will be our theme.

This time, let’s turn it into a kite.

We’ll make stamps from recycled materials to create the lion dance patterns.

Stamping away is lots of fun and sure to be a hit.

For the recycled-material stamps, cut toilet paper or plastic wrap cores, stuff newspaper between them, and roll them up tightly.

It’s a good idea for adults to prepare the facial parts of the lion.

While the traditional look features white patterns on a deep green background, trying other color schemes might turn out surprisingly cute.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Penguin footprint art

Penguin Footprint Art Project: Perfect for Wall Displays for 1–3-Year-Olds!

This is a cute penguin footprint art project you can make while playing with your child using foot stamps.

You will need construction paper, origami paper, scissors, glue, a pencil, two kinds of stickers, and white paint.

Have your child step into thick paint diluted with a small amount of water on both feet, then press firmly onto the construction paper to transfer the color.

The key is to capture the entire shape of the foot.

Prepare stickers by cutting some into a beak shape, drawing eyes on others, and cutting some into foot shapes.

After cutting the footprint into a penguin silhouette, make a background to mount it on.

Tear blue origami paper and glue it onto construction paper to resemble icy platforms.

Once you’ve glued the penguin onto the background, add the eye, beak, and feet stickers to finish.

If you make these regularly, it might become a moving keepsake that lets you feel your child’s growth.

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kojifumi

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Battledore made from a milk carton

[Craft Play] Let’s make a New Year’s “Hagoita” (battledore) using a milk carton

A great craft activity for January! It’s a hagoita (traditional New Year’s paddle) made from a milk carton.

Let the children experience a classic New Year’s game! First, open up a milk carton and cut off the bottom.

Fold it in half, cut it into the shape of a hagoita, fix a wooden chopstick inside as a support, and tape it closed—that’s it! Decorate it however you like, or add the zodiac animal of the year for a nice touch.

You can also make the shuttlecock by tying kite string around a small bundle of yarn, so give it a try.

Once you’ve finished, have the children play by batting the shuttlecock together—with classmates, teachers, or parents!

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miyabi

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Ema made with drawing paper

How to Make an Ema Plaque: Easy Craft with Construction Paper! A Nursery Teacher Explains New Year’s Crafting

As a uniquely Japanese custom, there are ema—wooden plaques on which people write their wishes to the gods.

New Year’s is a great opportunity for children to experience such traditions, so why not try making handmade ema? All you need to do is cut construction paper into the shape of an ema and decorate it with that year’s zodiac animal! If two-year-olds are participating, they can add patterns around the zodiac with finger stamps.

To finish, punch a hole at the top of the ema and thread a string through—it’s done.

You can also use them as January wall decorations, so display the children’s creations and get through the cold season with warm hearts!

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miyabi

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yarn threader

Let's play with yarn threading for 2-year-olds

Yarn threading is also known as an educational activity, and it’s recommended for nurturing children’s finger dexterity and concentration! If you plan to include yarn threading in a January craft, draw January-themed illustrations on cardboard, punch holes with an awl or similar tool, and let the children thread yarn through the holes.

Also, when threading the yarn, using a pipe cleaner in place of a needle allows children to do this activity safely.

By freely threading the yarn through the holes, they can also develop their imagination.

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miyabi

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Winter foods with sponge stamps

@hoiku.labo

Craft ideas for ages 0–5 💡 @hoiku.labo Winter foods with sponge stamps 🥢 ⭐↓ See the comments for detailed steps and tips ↓⭐ ★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆ ✨Hoiku Kyujin Labo✨ has many childcare job listings 🎉 Our specialized advisors will suggest nursery and kindergarten positions that fit you! We’ll carefully listen to your concerns and preferences and provide support 💁‍♀️ Feel free to contact us first 🎵 @hoiku.labo Register via the link in our profile!ChildcareNursery teacher / Childcare workerKindergarten TeacherCertified Childcare and Education Teacher#Nursery school#KindergartenKodomoen (combined childcare and kindergarten)Childcare job openingsChildcare Column#NurseryTeacherThings#IWantToConnectWithChildcareWorkers#Nursery School Craft#DaycarePreparationNursery School PracticumChildcare studentAspiring childcare workerChildcare Job LabChildcare SkillsJob change activities#JobChange#nursery_teacher_job_changeNursery teacher employmentProduction#CraftInfant careInfant Craft#Sponge stampStampSponge#Stamp playWinter CraftWinterinfantbaby#LifeWithABabyTampo#Oden#IWantToBeOnTheRecommendationsRecommendation#tiktok classroom#fyp

♬ Oden-themed songs(1091648) – Melonest

The feeling of stamping is so fun! Here’s a winter food craft idea.

Cut construction paper into a pot shape and glue it onto white paper.

Then add brown tofu pouches, white eggs, and brown daikon radish.

Draw patterns on the daikon and tofu pouches with crayons.

Dab black paint onto a textured sponge and stamp it onto gray paper.

Cut it into triangles, and you’ve made konnyaku! Put the konnyaku in the pot and your oden is complete! Enjoy chatting while you craft, asking questions like, “What oden ingredients do you like?” and “What was in it again?”

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moko

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