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) (51–60)

Koinobori made from a paper roll

Crafting with toilet paper rolls: Easy! Koinobori (carp streamers). How to make stylish and cute koinobori! Perfect decorations for Children's Day. May 5 is Tango no Sekku (Boys' Festival). First festival celebration. Reuse. Recycle.

Koinobori made from a paper roll

Would you like to make a cute carp streamer that gently sways and looks great on the wall using a toilet paper roll? Press the top of the paper roll to create creases, then start attaching origami paper.

Cut the origami slightly larger than the front surface, and fold any excess over to the back.

On top of the origami, stick on the carp’s eyes and scales made from colored paper.

In the same way, try making the black carp, the red carp, and the streamer, changing the sizes and colors.

Finally, tie them together with string, and you’re done.

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Koinobori in wrap art

How about making koinobori using wrap art? Wrap art is a technique where you press plastic wrap (food wrap) onto wet paint with your hands, leave it as is, and then peel the wrap off after the paint dries to reveal a pattern.

You could use colored construction paper as the base and use wrap art to express the koinobori’s scales.

You might also make small koinobori, gather them together to form one large koinobori, and use it as a wall decoration.

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Koinobori made with round stickers

There are a few must-have items for crafts in childcare, and round stickers are definitely one of them, aren’t they? Let’s try making a koi-nobori (carp streamer) using those round stickers! Cut colored construction paper into the shape of a koi-nobori, then freely stick the round stickers all over it.

This is perfect for infants who love sticking stickers! You can also decorate with washi tape, and using round stickers in various colors and patterns makes the activity fun and the finished piece super cute.

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Koinobori with fingerprint stamps

Let’s try making a carp streamer (koinobori) using finger stamps by dipping your fingers in paint and dabbing them onto paper! Prepare lots of different paint colors, dip your finger, and press to create the koinobori’s scales.

Some kids will press lots of their favorite color, while others will use many colors to make a vibrant koinobori—each child’s individuality will shine through.

You can make the eyes with a stamp, stick on round stickers, or draw them with crayons.

It’s a finger-stamping idea that leads to new discoveries as colors mix together.

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Carp streamers made of wood

[Woodworking DIY] Super cute! Wooden Koinobori for Children's Day Decorations [Have fun making it with our special kit]

Carp streamers made of wood

Here’s an idea that’s perfect for anyone who enjoys DIY woodworking: try making a carp streamer (koinobori) out of wood.

If you’re into DIY, you probably have lots of small offcuts piling up at home, right? If you’re not sure what to do with them, turn them into a koinobori! Combine the pieces like building blocks and glue them together with wood glue.

You can also paint the base and the koinobori pole in your favorite colors.

Painting everything in white works nicely, and using milk paint to create soft, pastel-colored koinobori would be super cute too!

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paper cup koinobori

Here’s an idea for making a carp streamer (koinobori) using paper cups.

Paper cups are commonly used in crafts, right? You can buy them at 100-yen shops, they’re easy to use, and they’re great for all kinds of projects.

If you turn a paper cup on its side, doesn’t it look like the shape of a koinobori? Draw or glue on scales, a tail fin, and eyes, then stick it onto a bamboo skewer.

Use different sizes of paper cups to make the larger black carp (magoi) and the smaller red carp (higoi).

Add an origami pinwheel to the tip of the skewer, and try using another paper cup as the base.

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Translucent carp streamers

Let’s make a uniquely eye-catching koinobori—a translucent carp streamer! For the see-through parts, use materials like laminating film, tracing paper, or translucent origami.

These days, 100-yen shops carry many kinds of origami, including transparent types, so those are great to try as well.

Although it’s a flat koinobori, the translucent sections are captivating—kids will surely enjoy making it and have fun using it once it’s finished.

It should also look great against the blue skies of May.

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Patterned origami carp streamer

[Preschool Craft] Carp streamer craft ♪ Also great for May wall displays! | May carp streamer

Patterned origami carp streamer

Here’s an idea for making carp streamers using construction paper and origami: you’ll end up with a semi-3D, colorful koinobori.

First, cut construction paper into the shape of a carp and add an eye by attaching a circle cut from origami.

Next, fold patterned origami lengthwise into four equal parts and cut.

These strips will become the scales: start by gluing one end down on the back side, then gently curl the opposite end forward and glue it so it puffs up slightly.

Using a variety of patterned origami makes the finished piece look wonderfully colorful!

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In conclusion

We’ve shared ideas for making handmade koinobori (carp streamers) using a variety of materials and techniques. Many of these ideas use everyday supplies, so they’re perfect for fun crafting with children. Koinobori make lovely seasonal decorations whether hung on the wall or by a window. Best of all, creating them together makes wonderful memories. Choose your favorite idea and make a one-of-a-kind koinobori of your very own.