Lovely childcare

[Craft] Make and Display! A Special Feature on Ideas for Making Koinobori (Carp Streamers)

20 years of experience as a nursery teacher / kindergarten teacherhiyoko sensei
I’m Hiyoko-sensei, a former nursery school teacher from Hyogo Prefecture. Ever since I was five, my dream was to become a childcare worker, and before I knew it, 20 years had passed since I achieved that dream. Through singing and playing with the children, I kept working with the spirit of someone in their twenties, even as I increasingly felt my physical limits year by year (haha). From here on, I’d like to share helpful information carefully and thoughtfully, drawing on my on-site experience.
9 years of experience as a nursery school teacherShibata Risa
I am an active nursery school teacher with 9 years of experience. After graduating from university, I worked at a daycare center. The time I spent happily with children—playing piano, singing songs, and doing finger-play—are priceless memories to me. Currently, while raising three children of my own, I work at an after-school day service, engaging with children and providing individualized developmental support. Drawing on my diverse experiences as a childcare worker and as a mother, I hope to express and convey my thoughts through writing.

When it comes to Children’s Day, many people think of koinobori (carp streamers).

Koinobori are displayed at schools and at home to wish for children’s healthy growth.

This time, we’re sharing ideas for making koinobori.

There are plenty of fun ideas: perfect for wall displays, ones that use handprints and footprints, and even wearable versions! If children arrange them freely with their own ideas, they can create wonderfully unique koinobori full of personality.

Through making activities, let’s also teach the origins and customs of Children’s Day to deepen their interest in the event.

We use the term “seisaku” in the text because the items children create are treated as works or projects.

[Crafting] Make and Display! A Special Feature on Ideas for Making Koinobori (Carp Streamers) (1–10)

Puffy scales! Cute koinobori (carp streamer)

[Origami and Colored Construction Paper] Cute Koinobori with Puffy Scales (with Audio Commentary)

Puffy scales! Cute koinobori (carp streamer)

This is a wall decoration of carp streamers that makes you want to touch the plump, three-dimensional scales.

You complete it by attaching origami-made scales to a carp streamer base cut from construction paper.

To achieve a three-dimensional look for the scales, cut them into teardrop shapes, make a slit, then slightly overlap and glue the two sides of the slit.

At this point, the key is to have the lower part of each scale sink in with the colored side concave, and the upper part rise with the colored side convex.

Using traditional Japanese-patterned origami for the upper parts adds a festive touch.

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Koinobori binoculars

[Kindergarten/Preschool] May Koinobori Binoculars Craft

Koinobori binoculars

Hidden discoveries are waiting in the everyday scenery! Here’s an idea for a carp streamer binoculars craft.

When you think of Children’s Day, many people probably picture carp streamers, right? This time, let’s make a playful toy with a carp streamer motif! You’ll need: toilet paper rolls, red and blue origami paper, paint, gold origami paper cut into eighths, a hole punch, string, glue, and scissors.

Once your carp streamer binoculars are finished, grab them and set off on an adventure!

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Pac-kun carp streamer kendama

Let's all make it together!! Pac-kun Koi-nobori Kendama♪

Pac-kun carp streamer kendama

Let’s make and play with a kendama using a milk carton! Here’s an idea for a “Pak-kun Koinobori” kendama.

When you think of Children’s Day, many people picture koinobori carp streamers, right? This time, let’s create a playful, make-it-yourself toy with a koinobori motif! You’ll need a milk carton, a 50 cm length of string, scissors, cellophane tape, colored construction paper, and a pen.

It’s a unique kendama that looks like a koinobori is “chomping” on a rice ball! Give it a try!

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[Crafting] Make and Display! A Collection of Ideas for Making Koinobori (Carp Streamers) (11–20)

Wiggly, wriggling carp streamer

What is this!? The scales move! A swimming Koinobori carp streamer (with a single sheet of construction paper)

Wiggly, wriggling carp streamer

When you sway its body from side to side, it looks just like a snake! This is a fun, wiggly carp streamer.

First, cut the construction paper in half and connect the pieces vertically to make it longer.

Fold it accordion-style into four sections to make it long and narrow, then snip slits with scissors to create the scales.

Open the paper and make mountain-and-valley folds between the scales to turn it into a wiggly carp streamer.

Draw eyes on the face area, then trim part of the lower section to form the tail fin.

Add patterns to the scales, and it’s done!

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Swim with the wind! Hanging carp streamers

[Easy 💐 Origami] Carp Streamers 🎏 Swimming in the Wind ✨ [Children’s Day] Eye-opening Way to Make Them 😍 Hanging Decoration

Swim with the wind! Hanging carp streamers

Feel soothed by the way it gently sways in the breeze.

Let’s try making a carp streamer with origami.

First, cut the origami paper into three equal strips so each measures 15 cm by 5 cm.

Take one of the strips, fold it lengthwise into thirds, then make alternating slits from the top and bottom at 0.5 mm intervals.

Leave 3 cm on both the left and right ends, as these will be the face and the tail fin.

Once the slits are made, gently open the paper and carefully spread each woven section one by one.

Attach an eye on the left side you left intact, then cut the right side with scissors to form the tail fin, and you’re done.

If you make a slit in the face and thread a string through it, you can hang it as a decoration.

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Craft punches are cute! Easy Koinobori (carp streamers)

[Easy Origami] How to Make a Koinobori (Carp Streamer) Wall Decoration for Children’s Day with a Pinwheel

Craft punches are cute! Easy Koinobori (carp streamers)

Here’s a cute craft idea: attach an origami carp streamer to a base and decorate around it with flowers made using a craft punch.

To make the carp streamer, fold 1 cm along the left edge so the white side faces out, flip it over, and fold it into thirds.

For the tail fin, crease it first, then cut it off in a triangle.

Add scales and an eye to finish.

Once the carp streamer and a pinwheel are attached to a round backing, scatter the craft-punched flowers to make it festive.

Punch a hole at the top, thread a string through, and you can use it as a wall decoration.

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Footprint Koinobori

Here’s an idea for making carp streamers using footprints.

First, take the children’s footprints.

Be careful to prevent slipping while there’s paint on the soles of their feet.

Once the footprints are dry, draw the eyes on them.

You can add scale patterns, too.

Attach the footprint carp to a straw or stick to act as a pole.

Painting the bottoms of their feet might feel a little ticklish or be an unfamiliar sensation, and that part will likely be fun as well!

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