[January Crafts] Fun DIY Ideas for Kids: Perfect for Use in Childcare

Standing Decorative Kadomatsu

Preschool & Kindergarten: Kadomatsu Craft Ideas for New Year’s DIY

A kadomatsu filled with pine, bamboo, and plum—symbols of good fortune in Japan since ancient times—makes a perfect New Year’s craft.

Use colored construction paper or origami paper to form the shapes, then decorate with pipe cleaners and pom-poms.

It’s suitable for ages four and up; plan to work on it over a few days.

It’s also a great way to practice cutting with scissors.

If you explain that it’s a decoration to welcome the gods in the New Year while making it, it becomes a good opportunity to teach children about Japanese traditions.

Be sure to display the finished kadomatsu in your classroom or at home and enjoy it.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Hoshino Takashi

Report a problem

[Clay Craft] Mochibana (Rice Cake Flower)

#84 [Parent-Child DIY] New Year’s “Mochibana” Decoration Made with 100-Yen Store Items! Easy with clay—safe for kids. Not tsumami-zaiku, but done with your fingertips.

Known as auspicious decorations that symbolize bountiful harvests and household safety, mochi-bana are perfect for a New Year’s craft.

The process is simple—using clay colored with paint—so children are sure to enjoy making them.

To achieve a more realistic look, the branches need to be dyed with spray paint, so dividing tasks with an adult will likely make the work go more smoothly.

This charming craft, with its delicate appearance, will add a touch of elegance to any room.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Hoshino Takashi

Report a problem

[Paper Cup] Easy Spinning Top

[Craft] New Year’s Craft — Easy Spinning Top

Spinning tops, which have developed independently around the world, have long been loved in Japan as children’s toys.

In recent years, modern versions like Beyblade are well known, but with this idea you can make one using a paper cup—perfect as a kids’ craft.

Letting children draw freely creates unique patterns when the top spins, sparking their imagination.

If they’re old enough to use scissors, they can also enjoy making and experimenting with how to make it spin longer.

It’s a craft that adds excitement to the New Year.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Hoshino Takashi

Report a problem

[Paper Carton Craft] Akabeko

[Crafts for Preschool] Perfect for New Year’s! Cute Akabeko

Perfect for New Year’s crafts! This is an akabeko made by reusing a milk/juice carton.

Akabeko is a traditional toy from the Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture, known for its gently bobbing cow head and bright red body—so unique! Cut off the top of the carton and decorate it with red construction paper.

Next, wrap construction paper around a toilet paper roll, add the cow’s ears and eyes, and connect each part with twine to finish.

You can use round stickers for decoration or draw directly—it’s fun either way.

Adjust the steps to suit the children’s ages!

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

miyabi

Report a problem

Zodiac Papercraft Puppet

[Rabbit Craft] Chomping Puppet! Paper Cup Rabbit (Easy How-To) [New Year, Winter Break, 2023, Year of the Rabbit] How to Make a Paper Rabbit

The chomp-chomp puppets you can play with after making are great fun with kids.

Attach facial parts made from colored paper to a paper cup, then cut a slit where the mouth is—when you move the face, the mouth will open and close.

If you make them with the year’s zodiac animal as the theme, kids can learn that year’s zodiac while playing—two birds with one stone.

It goes smoothly if an adult prepares the small parts in advance.

Adjust the tasks according to the children’s ages.

You can also enjoy putting on an impromptu puppet show with the finished puppets.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Hoshino Takashi

Report a problem