[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) (31–40)

Koinobori of Kashiwa Mochi

Let’s make a Kashiwa-mochi carp streamer using kashiwa mochi, which is eaten during the Boys’ Festival (Tango no Sekku).

Cut construction paper into a leaf shape, draw the veins with a white crayon, and paint over it with green paint to create a wax-resist effect.

Cut another piece of construction paper into the shape of a carp streamer and draw patterns with crayons inspired by kashiwa mochi.

Place the leaf on top and glue them together.

Attach a face and a samurai helmet folded from origami, then stick them onto the carp streamer to finish.

It also sounds fun to choose parts of the project according to the child’s age and ability!

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Koinobori and Kintaro

We’ll introduce a craft activity featuring carp streamers (koinobori) and Kintaro.

Prepare a paper plate, ribbon, a photo of the child, and koinobori cutouts.

Cut out the center of the paper plate to make a wreath base.

Use finger stamping on the koinobori to create the scales.

Place the child’s photo in the center and add a Kintaro headpiece on top.

Attach the koinobori as well, and you’re done! We recommend using paper plates with printed patterns.

This is a craft that even 0-year-olds can enjoy, so give it a try.

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Koinobori garland

When we think of big events in May, Children’s Day comes to mind.

Many places use carp streamers (koinobori) as wall decorations.

Instead of just making koinobori and sticking them on the wall, how about turning them into a garland? Cut colorful construction paper into the shape of koinobori, draw the eyes and scales, connect them with raffia ribbon (suzuran tape), and hang them on the wall.

For the scales, you can draw them, paste on cut pieces of origami, or use a sponge to stamp them.

It would be great to make them together with the children and create a garland of many koinobori!

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A carp streamer made by combining everyone’s scales

Here’s a wall decoration idea: each child makes a carp streamer scale and sticks it onto a large carp streamer.

Using scale-shaped construction paper, everyone colors their scale in their favorite colors.

They can use crayons or colored pencils, or even dab colors on with stamps.

Then, one by one, attach the finished scales to the large base carp streamer to complete a big koi nobori!

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garland

Many households probably focus on decorating their walls with seasonal items.

If you want to enjoy carp streamers (koinobori) as a stylish wall decoration for Children’s Day, how about making them into a garland? You can make the koinobori out of paper, or use leftover fabric scraps you have at home for a budget-friendly option.

While garlands are typically hung on a string and displayed on the wall, using driftwood and natural jute twine to hang them in a balanced way will elevate the stylish look even more.

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[Craft] Make and Display! A Collection of Koinobori Craft Ideas (41–50)

Embroidery board using an embroidery hoop

As a stylish interior wall decoration, you sometimes see fabric embroidered in a hoop and displayed like a board.

If you embroider carp streamers (koinobori), it can serve as a wonderful decoration for Children’s Day! Embroidery hoops in various sizes and embroidery threads are sold at 100-yen shops, so even those who have never tried embroidery can easily give it a go.

There are many stitching methods and types of stitches, but there are beginner-friendly tutorial sites and videos—be sure to check them out and try making one! You can also adapt the idea for other seasons and events.

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