From New Year’s games to winter crafts! A roundup of January recreation activities to enjoy in childcare

Newspaper Rip-Rip! Eurhythmics with a Snow Song

[January Eurhythmics: Tearing Newspaper + Snow Song Eurhythmics] 🎵 A eurhythmics session that includes a snow-themed craft set, all doable while seated ✨ Parent–child eurhythmics and rhythm play

Here’s a eurhythmics activity that starts with a newspaper play element.

Give each child a sheet of newspaper and, at the cue of “1, 2, 3,” have them tear it into pieces.

Once it’s torn into small bits, pretend they’re snow and have fun letting it fall from above to the tune of the children’s song “Yuki” (Snow).

After the eurhythmics session, pack the used newspaper pieces into a clear bag to make a snowman.

It’s a winter-themed idea from start to finish, so please enjoy it with the children.

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sasashina

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Let’s make a Fukuwarai and play!

[For 4-year-olds] Laugh together! Let’s make and play Fukuwarai!

How about enjoying a classic New Year’s game, fukuwarai? Have the children draw and make the base sheet and facial parts however they like using construction paper and crayons.

By creating them themselves, the kids can grasp what the finished face should look like, and after playing fukuwarai they won’t be able to stop laughing! It might be even funnier if you make it as a self-portrait.

It’s perfectly fine if the fukuwarai face doesn’t turn out “well,” so why not encourage the kids by saying, “Make a funny face on purpose!”

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sasashina

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Let’s enjoy New Year’s games!

[Ages 0–2] Let’s Enjoy New Year’s Games!

Let’s set up various stations in the playground so the children can experience New Year’s traditions.

We’ll introduce five activities: rice-cake pounding (mochitsuki), spinning tops (koma), karuta card games, kite flying (takoage), and visiting a shrine to offer prayers.

For mochitsuki, we’ll actually use a mortar and pestle to pound the mochi, while the tops, karuta, kites, and shrine are all handmade.

By making good use of cardboard and milk cartons, you can create remarkably authentic items.

Children can play with the toys you’ve made, or they can take on the challenge of making them themselves.

Enjoy New Year’s experiences suited to the children’s ages.

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sasashina

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New Year’s games that infants and toddlers can enjoy!

New Year’s Play for Ages 0–2

Let me introduce some New Year’s activities that infants can enjoy.

First up is the shishi-mai lion dance! It’s said that having the lion lightly bite your head drives away evil spirits.

Children might feel scared, but gently reassure them by saying, “It’s not scary—something good will happen,” and encourage them to give it a try.

Next are traditional New Year’s games like spinning tops, kite flying, and fukuwarai (a face-building game).

There are plenty of great ideas, such as kites made from plastic bags, tops with longer spindles that are easier to spin, and fukuwarai themed around characters infants love.

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sasashina

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Let’s make plum blossoms!

@hoikushi_worker

Easy with origami! New Year’s kirigami (plum blossoms) We’re introducing a January craft perfect for early childhood settings: “New Year’s kirigami (plum blossoms)” using origami. The moment you open the cut paper is so exciting—what shape will it be? Try arranging different cutting and folding styles and have fun! ================================= We also have a LINE account★ Get exclusive updates by adding us as a friend♪ Check our profile @hoiku_column! ================================= Do you have any concerns in your childcare setting? Even if it’s not related to this post, tell us about your challenges or worries in the comments! Let’s exchange ideas freely♪ ================================#Childcare Crafting#Nursery School Craft#Wall Creationwall surface#Recital#HomeCraftsNew Year’s craftPapercraft#papercraft#kidscraftsOrigami playOrigamiorigami#OuchiMonte#AtHomeMontessoriEarly childhood education materialsChildcare#Nursery schoolNursery teacher / Childcare worker#First year as a nursery teacher#KindergartenKindergarten TeacherKindergarten teacherAspiring childcare worker#NurseryTeacherInTrainingNursery school teacher#NurseryTeacherThingsChildcare student#IWantToConnectWithChildcareWorkersNursery Teacher Worker ================================

♪ Original Song – [Sharing Useful Info for Nursery Teachers!] Hoikushi Worker – [Sharing Useful Info for Nursery Teachers!] Hoikushi Worker

Let’s incorporate the plum blossom—famous as a New Year’s flower—into your New Year’s card design.

Here’s a paper-cutting idea you can enjoy like a craft project.

Fold origami paper following the set steps, draw two curved lines, and cut along them with scissors.

Then slowly unfold the paper, and your plum blossom is complete.

There are only seven folds in total, and two of those are just to make crease lines.

It’s an idea that’s easy for children to make, so please give it a try.

Create plum blossoms in various sizes and colors to make a vibrant New Year’s card.

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sasashina

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Kagami mochi made with origami

[A Must-See for Nursery Teachers!] Origami/Kagami Mochi #Shorts

Kagami mochi, which are offered as yorishiro (vessels for the visiting Toshigami deity) during New Year’s, make a perfect design for New Year’s cards.

This time, let’s make kagami mochi using origami.

We’ll create two parts: the sanpō (the stand) and the kagami mochi itself.

Since each is made from a different sheet, please prepare two pieces of origami paper.

Because we also want to represent the mandarin orange on top, have an orange sheet ready.

The folding process includes steps like accordion folds and opening and flattening after creasing.

With only a few steps, it’s an easy, fun challenge for kids.

Be sure to make it and use it as part of your New Year’s card design!

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sasashina

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Make and Play! New Year Hagoita (Battledore)

[7th New Year Hagoita] Make-and-play for parents and kids! Easy craft!

Hagoita paddles that can be simply made with paper plates are easy for kids to create.

Prepare paper plates, wooden chopsticks, cellophane tape, and origami, and let’s get started.

Fold the left and right sides of the paper plate so they form an even shape.

Insert a chopstick inside to make a handle, then secure everything in place by taping it all around with cellophane tape.

Make sure to fasten it firmly so it doesn’t come apart easily.

Once you stick flower decorations on the surface, it’s complete.

Playing with a hagoita you made yourself can be fun and full of discoveries and new insights.

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mayumi

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