![[Childcare] Horsetail (tsukushi) craft ideas](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/aKnHYMIk3k8/sddefault.jpg)
[Childcare] Horsetail (tsukushi) craft ideas
Horsetails are a perfect motif for spring.
Depending on the region, many children may have never seen real ones.
Here, we’ve gathered craft ideas featuring horsetails that sprout up sturdily.
We introduce a variety of ideas—from ones that showcase each child’s individuality to semi-3D creations.
Choose according to your classroom’s atmosphere and how you’d like to display them.
If you make them together with the children, it will be a wonderful time to share that “We did it!” moment.
Be sure to decorate your classroom to feel like spring.
[Childcare] Tsukushi (horsetail) Craft Ideas (1–10)
Horsetails painted with cotton swabs
Let’s try painting horsetail patterns using cotton swabs.
You can prepare the shapes of the horsetail tips and stems in advance by cutting construction paper yourself or have the children cut them with scissors depending on their age.
Once the shapes are ready, dip a cotton swab in paint and freely add patterns.
Instead of making the “hakama” section out of paper, it’s also recommended to paint it with a cotton swab just like the tip.
By combining multiple colors instead of using just one, you’ll end up with a fun, unique piece full of originality.
Horsetail wall decoration
Let’s make a cute horsetail (tsukushi) wall decoration using construction paper and origami.
Cut out the parts—tip, stem, sheath, and facial features like eyes and mouth—from construction paper or origami.
Then simply assemble and glue the cut pieces together to finish! Besides paper, you can also use stickers or fabric for the parts.
It’s also a great idea to let the children draw the faces on the tips freely.
Combine it with flower and grass shapes to create a bright, spring-like wall display.
Three-dimensional Tsukushi
Let’s make three-dimensional horsetails and bring spring to your nursery or kindergarten walls! “Three-dimensional” might sound complicated, but you can do it just by crumpling and shaping paper.
We recommend thin, soft paper that’s easy to crumple and roll.
First, make the tip (spore head) by crumpling brown-toned paper into shape.
Next, for the stem, roll paper into a slender rod.
Add the ‘hakama’ (the little jagged segments) by attaching zigzag strips you’ve cut out.
Then glue all the parts together and you’re done.
You can also make the tip by wrapping it around the stem as you build it.
Choose the method that best suits the children’s ages and make it in the way that’s easiest for them.
Tsukushi with stickers and drawing
https://www.instagram.com/p/CfnUxQxPusc/A craft that’s easy even for young children who aren’t used to making things yet is a horsetail (tsukushi) craft using stickers.
Teachers at nurseries or kindergartens can prepare the stems in advance, and have the children make the tips.
Let the kids color the round-cut tips freely and decorate them with stickers.
Simple round stickers are recommended for this activity.
If you provide stickers and pens in various colors, you’ll end up with bright, colorful horsetails.
Once the tips are finished, combine them with the stems and display them on the wall.
Horsetail made from toilet paper rolls
https://www.instagram.com/p/CMCii59MxOp/Here’s a horsetail craft that makes great use of toilet paper rolls for kids’ projects.
You can use the toilet paper roll as-is for the stem.
To match the horsetail’s colors, it’s fine to cover it with brown or yellow construction paper or origami paper.
Then, just cut out the tip (spore head) and the jagged “hakama” parts on the stem from paper and glue them on to finish! Drawing a face on the tip makes it extra cute.
Using food cups (the zigzag paper liners often used in bento boxes) for the hakama section is also recommended, since they naturally give you that jagged look.
Horsetail made with bubble wrap
https://www.instagram.com/p/CMQjMpEHx6Q/Introducing a horsetail (tsukushi) craft that’s fun not only to look at but also to touch, using bubble wrap! First, cut out the horsetail’s tip and stem from construction paper or origami paper.
It’s recommended to draw a cute face on the tip part! Then attach a piece of bubble wrap, cut to the same shape as the tip, onto it.
If you use clear, colorless bubble wrap, the face you drew underneath will still be easy to see after you stick it on.
Finally, combine the finished tip and stem and paste them onto a large sheet of paper, or stick them on a wall—and you’re done! Because you can enjoy the texture of the bubble wrap while making it, be sure to try this as a spring craft.
A horsetail plant like a child’s face
https://www.instagram.com/p/CaKHrevpkH4/This is a cute craft that turns the tip of a horsetail shoot into a child’s face.
The stem and the jagged “hakama” sections are made by cutting construction paper.
For the tip, cut construction paper to create a child’s face and paste it on.
You can have your child draw their own face to paste there, or it’s also recommended to use a photo of your child’s face.
The finished piece is bright and cheerful, expressing the feeling of kids bursting with energy in spring—just like horsetail shoots popping up energetically when spring arrives.