Lovely childcare

[Autumn Activities] Nature Play and Craft Ideas for Fall to Incorporate into Childcare!

Nursery Teacher Mom Writertsukada moe
After working for five years at an after-school childcare club and three years at a nursery school, I began working as a freelance writer. I’m a mother of two children. Inspired by playing the flute in the school wind ensemble in elementary school, I joined a jazz club at university. I’ve also incorporated ukulele and piano performance into childcare. Playing, laughing, feeling sad, feeling frustrated—through all kinds of experiences, I want children to grow.
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

Autumn is a season full of nature that can be put to good use in childcare.

It’s also a time when we can really feel children’s growth, isn’t it?

As it becomes more comfortable to spend time outdoors, many preschools and kindergartens likely enjoy activities like collecting nuts and gathering fallen leaves.

You want to introduce lots of new activities but can’t find any ideas…

For those with that concern, we’ve gathered recommended nature play and craft ideas for autumn.

Enjoy them together with the children and savor the fruitful season.

The experiences they have at your center will become precious memories for them.

[Autumn Activities] Fall Nature Play and Craft Ideas to Incorporate into Childcare! (71–80)

Perfect for decorations! How to fold a dragonfly

[Autumn Origami] Easy☆How to Fold a Dragonfly [Origami] Simple Insect Origami

Perfect for decorations! How to fold a dragonfly

When it comes to symbols of autumn in Japan, dragonflies come to mind, don’t they? This time, let’s introduce a dragonfly made of origami that’s perfect for autumn crafts.

Prepare two sheets of origami paper, some eyes, and a felt-tip pen, and let’s get started.

For the dragonfly’s body, make creases vertically and horizontally, then fold toward the center line to form a square shape.

When puffing up and shaping parts of the origami, the key is to use your fingertips as you fold.

Next, prepare the remaining sheet of origami to make the wings.

For the sections where you open the paper outward while folding it down, take your time and fold carefully.

Glue the body and wings together, then adjust the body’s shape at the end.

Attach the eyes, and it’s complete.

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Let’s go out with a walk bag

How about handmaking a “stroll bag” that makes autumn walks even more fun? All you need are a toilet paper roll and an insulated bag! It’s perfect for a group craft activity at nursery school or kindergarten, and once you’re done, why not head out for an autumn walk? To make it, wrap your favorite origami paper around a toilet paper roll, insert it into an insulated bag and secure it with tape, then attach a ribbon to wear over the shoulder.

You can also freely customize it—use patterned insulated bags, decorate with stickers or washi tape, and more! Have fun collecting fallen leaves and nuts in your stroll bag.

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Torn-paper collage sweet potato

These torn-paper roasted sweet potatoes are perfect for an end-of-autumn craft.

Use red, purple, and brown construction paper or origami paper, tear it by hand, and glue the pieces onto a sweet-potato-shaped base.

If you crumple and soften the paper before tearing, it becomes easier for children to rip—give it a try! For added dimension, you can also shape a sweet potato out of newspaper and then cover it with colored paper.

This craft idea brings out children’s expressive creativity and is sure to make autumn events even more enjoyable.

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Three-dimensional grapes made with sticker pasting

This is a 3D grape craft made by sticking round-cut origami pieces onto a long, narrow strip of construction paper.

Put double-sided tape on the back of the cut-out origami circles, and have the children peel and stick them.

Once the origami pieces are attached, wrap the strip around a triangular piece of construction paper in a spiral.

Finally, add a pipe-cleaner stem and paper leaves to finish.

You can also use stickers instead of origami, of course.

Let the children choose their favorite patterns.

It’s a perfect idea for an autumn wall decoration.

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Cosmos in paper cutting

This is a way to make a cosmos flower by simply folding origami and cutting along the outline.

Fold the origami paper in half into a triangle, then fold it in half again, repeating until you’ve folded it three times, and sketch the shape of the petals.

Since you’ll draw the petal outline with a pencil, it’s best to fold with the white side facing out.

The jagged tips of the petals are a bit intricate, but once you cut and unfold it… you’ve got a cosmos flower! Kirigami, where the shape becomes something completely different when opened, is a highly recommended craft that sparks children’s creativity.

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