Lovely childcare

[Childcare] Autumn craft ideas

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!

We’ve gathered fall craft ideas that are perfect for childcare!

Autumn is a comfortable season with plenty of chances to go for walks and play outside.

Children are likely to pick up all sorts of intriguing things—acorns, pinecones, leaves, and more.

In this article, we introduce crafts that use found items as materials, as well as projects made with construction paper, origami paper, and recycled materials.

We’ve collected a wide range of ideas—from toys kids can play with after making them to decorations for wall displays—so try choosing activities that suit the children’s ages and have fun creating together!

[Childcare] Autumn Craft Ideas (181–190)

Moon-Viewing Dumplings Made with Paper Clay (for 1-year-olds)

Moon-viewing dumplings made with paper clay for 1-year-olds

Moon-Viewing Dumplings Made with Paper Clay (for 1-year-olds)

How about having the one-year-olds try making moon-viewing dango out of paper clay? Since paper clay has a bit of weight to it, it’s recommended to make the sanpō (the tray for the dango) from sturdy materials like milk cartons or thick paper.

Teachers can prepare the sanpō in advance, and the children can roll the paper clay into balls and place them on top.

Don’t set any particular rules about how to arrange them—let the children place the dango freely.

Please be careful to ensure the children don’t put the paper-clay dango in their mouths.

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Moon-Viewing Crafts While Playing Games (For 5-Year-Olds)

[Daycare Craft] 'Moon Viewing on the Night of the Harvest Moon' Demonstrated by a Nursery Teacher. Mid-Autumn Full Moon = Tuesday, September 21

Moon-Viewing Crafts While Playing Games (For 5-Year-Olds)

For five-year-olds, we recommend a Moon Viewing craft they can enjoy as a game.

First, the teacher prepares yellow construction paper cut into a circle with the center removed, yellow cellophane cut to match the size of the paper, and other pieces of construction paper cut into shapes for Moon Viewing decorations.

Tell the children, “Let’s find yellow things and decorate the moon!” and have them decorate the moon while playing a ‘yellow item’ scavenger hunt.

Good yellow items to prepare include yellow round stickers, star-shaped stickers, and yellow-patterned masking tape.

As the children search for yellow items, let them stick them on the cellophane however they like.

When they’re done, combine it with the construction paper that has a cut-out center to complete the moon! Then add the other decorations to finish the Moon Viewing display.

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[Aluminum Foil] Making Autumn Leaves

[Crafts] Introducing Autumn Crafts Using Aluminum Foil [Daycare/Kindergarten]

[Aluminum Foil] Making Autumn Leaves

How about making autumn foliage art with aluminum foil? First, take a handprint in brown to represent the tree trunk.

Next, crumple some aluminum foil and dab it into paints like yellow, red, and orange.

Prepare a separate piece of foil for each color so they don’t mix.

By gently dabbing the colors over the handprint, the paint will scatter nicely and create a leaf-like effect.

It’s also fun that the pattern of the stamp changes depending on how you crumple the foil.

Give it a try and create a lovely autumn tree with wide-spreading leaves!

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Grandparents’ Day Portrait Origami

How to Make Portrait Origami: A Simple, Cute Gift for Grandpa and Grandma (Kid-Friendly!) — Origami Grandparents Easy

Grandparents' Day Portrait Origami

This portrait origami is perfect for making crafts for Respect for the Aged Day in September.

Try creating designs inspired by grandpa’s and grandma’s faces! It also makes a great handmade present from children to their grandparents, so why not introduce it in childcare settings? The trickiest part when making the face is the ears.

Since they require some fine folding, take your time and make firm creases.

You can also tear a separate sheet of origami paper and paste it on for the hairstyle.

Finish by drawing in the facial features, and you’re done.

If you’re unsure what to make for Respect for the Aged Day, this easy, approachable portrait origami is highly recommended.

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Prickly, Rolling Chestnuts Made with Tissue Paper

[Kindergarten/Preschool] November Prickly and Rolling Chestnut Craft to Make with Children

Prickly, Rolling Chestnuts Made with Tissue Paper

This is a chestnut decoration made with tissue paper and origami, perfect for the autumn season.

Layer different colors of tissue paper, accordion-fold them, and staple the center to secure.

After trimming both ends of the tissue paper, gently fan out the sheets one by one.

Carefully separating each layer creates a soft, fluffy three-dimensional look.

Next, make a chestnut with origami and add eye stickers, a mouth, and patterns.

Using double-sided brown and yellow origami is recommended.

Finally, attach the chestnut onto the tissue paper with double-sided tape to finish.

Try making these chestnuts to decorate classrooms and doors in kindergartens and nurseries in November.

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Pacific saury

[Origami Instructions] Let's fold a Pacific saury with origami

Pacific saury

When it comes to autumn fish, sanma (Pacific saury) is the classic choice, isn’t it? Some children may not be fond of fish, but with the hope that they’ll enjoy eating it too, how about starting by making one with origami? Since sanma have a long, slender shape, it’s recommended to cut the origami paper in half before folding.

You can of course use a full sheet, but halving it will produce a more elongated shape that looks closer to the real fish.

Fold while cleverly combining the colored side and the white back side.

For the eyes, you can draw them on afterward or use small round stickers, which is also recommended.

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raccoon dog

[Preschool Craft] Easy Origami! How to Make a Cute Raccoon Dog (Tanuki)

raccoon dog

Tanuki often appear in children’s songs that kids sing every day.

How about making a tanuki out of origami? It’s recommended to make the head and body separately.

After folding the tanuki’s head, cut out the differently colored patches around the eyes from another sheet of origami paper and glue them on, or draw them with a pen.

Then add the eyes as well—either draw them or use round stickers.

For the body, create the white belly area the same way by cutting it from a different sheet of paper or drawing it on.

Glue the head and body together to finish! You can also make a leaf and place it on top to evoke a transforming tanuki.

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