[For 3-year-olds] Perfect January Winter & New Year Crafts! A Collection of Fun, Hands-On Ideas
Do you find yourself wondering every year what to make with the children in January’s childcare activities? It can be surprisingly hard to find crafts that three-year-olds will enjoy while taking in New Year’s motifs and the feeling of winter.
In this guide, we’ll share ideas you can enjoy together with three-year-olds—from New Year-perfect projects like paper plate spinning tops, kagami mochi, and shishimai (lion dance), to wintery crafts like fluffy sheep and snowmen.
Activities that use hands and fingertips, such as finger stamping, finger painting, and origami, will spark children’s curiosity.
Some of the things you make can also be played with afterward, so please use these ideas for inspiration! Because the children’s creations are treated as artworks, we use the term “seisaku” (production/artwork) in the text.
- From New Year’s games to winter crafts! A roundup of January recreation activities to enjoy in childcare
- [For 3-year-olds] A collection of recommended craft ideas to make in February
- [January] Enjoy with 2-year-olds! A collection of craft ideas that capture winter and the New Year
- [January Crafts] Fun DIY Ideas for Kids: Perfect for Use in Childcare
- For 4-Year-Olds: January Crafts! A Collection of Fun Ideas with Winter and New Year Themes
- [For 3-year-olds] Winter craft activities and bulletin board decoration ideas for use in childcare
- Have fun in childcare! A collection of play ideas to liven up cold days in January
- [Nursery/Kindergarten] New Year Craft Ideas: A Collection of Projects You Can Enjoy Even After Making Them
- Fun January Crafts! A Collection of Ideas You Can Make and Play With for 5-Year-Olds
- Have fun with one-year-olds! A collection of craft ideas featuring recommended January motifs
- [November] Enjoy with 3-year-olds! Craft activity ideas recommended for autumn
- Let’s make it with 3-year-olds! Fun handmade toy ideas
- [Childcare] Recommended for 3-year-olds! Origami ideas with a winter theme
[For 3-year-olds] Perfect Winter & New Year Crafts for January! A Collection of Fun-to-Make Ideas (131–140)
Octopus made from a plastic bag

This is a kite craft you can make by repurposing grocery bags you have at home.
Draw your favorite illustrations on the plastic bag with a permanent marker.
Tie the cut strings to the bag’s handles, then bring the two string ends together and knot them.
Use curling ribbon or colored packing twine, and attach it to the bottom of the plastic bag to create the kite’s tails.
Finish by adding stickers.
It’s recommended that teachers or guardians assist with tying the strings to the bag.
This is an item that lets you enjoy kite-flying easily even indoors.
In conclusion
We introduced craft ideas recommended for three-year-olds in January.
Creations featuring New Year’s motifs and the winter season capture children’s interest, filling them with smiles both during the making process and after they’re finished.
By exploring various materials and techniques—such as lacing, stamping, and origami—children can broaden the range of their self-expression.
Be sure to try them together and create memories for the new year.



