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For 4-Year-Olds: January Crafts! A Collection of Fun Ideas with Winter and New Year Themes

When it comes to crafts for four-year-olds in January, it’s all about New Year’s and winter-themed motifs! So this time, we’re sharing craft ideas perfect for the season.

From paper-cutting with scissors and a three-dimensional kagami mochi made with whipped paint, to a shishimai (lion dance) you can make and play with, these projects are full of elements that spark children’s curiosity.

As they use their hands and engage with seasonal events, their interest in Japan’s traditional culture will naturally grow as well.

Children also feel a special attachment to creations they’ve made themselves.

Be sure to incorporate these into your childcare activities! Because the children’s creations are treated as works, the term “制作” (seisaku, creation/production) is used in the text.

[For 4-year-olds] January Crafts! A collection of fun ideas with winter and New Year themes (121–130)

Hanging ornament of a snowman

[Winter Craft] Adorably Round and Cute! Hanging Snowman Decoration [Nursery/Kindergarten]
Hanging ornament of a snowman

Let’s decorate the ceiling and walls with snowmen! Here are some ideas for hanging snowman decorations.

You will need white construction paper, colored construction paper of your choice, white thread, white straws, ribbon, scissors, an awl (or hole punch), and clear tape.

First, use the white construction paper to make circles in various sizes.

Sketch and cut out the snowman’s face, nose, and hat on the paper as well.

Next, punch a hole in the center of each circle and thread them onto the string, alternating with short pieces of straw.

Finally, add a ribbon and attach the snowman’s face—your decoration is complete!

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Make-and-play giant karuta

[Age 4] Face off with the teacher! Let’s play with handmade karuta!
Make-and-play giant karuta

Let’s explore a classic game everyone has loved for ages! Here’s an idea for making an oversized, DIY karuta set you can create and play with.

You’ll need white construction paper, colored construction paper of your choice, and crayons.

First, make the letters to stick on the picture cards.

It’s also a good idea to have a teacher or guardian draw the outlines of the letters so the children can trace over them.

Next, make the picture cards—the kids’ creativity is sure to be sparked.

Finally, think up the text for the reading cards, and you’re done! Children will likely feel attached to the karuta they made themselves, and it’s a great way to help them get familiar with letters while playing.

Highly recommended!

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In conclusion

We introduced craft ideas perfect for a class of four-year-olds in January.

There are plenty of items that are unique to the New Year and motifs that evoke the winter season—not only to make and display, but also to play with.

Using familiar materials like paper clay, scissors, and construction paper, enjoy time that sparks the children’s creativity.

Displaying the finished pieces in the classroom will enhance the New Year and winter atmosphere even more.