[For 1-year-olds] Let’s Learn About May! A Collection of Recommended Craft Ideas

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.
Nursery Teacher Mom Writertsukada moe
After working for five years at an after-school childcare club and three years at a nursery school, I began working as a freelance writer. I’m a mother of two children. Inspired by playing the flute in the school wind ensemble in elementary school, I joined a jazz club at university. I’ve also incorporated ukulele and piano performance into childcare. Playing, laughing, feeling sad, feeling frustrated—through all kinds of experiences, I want children to grow.

At around one year old, children’s range of movement and interests expand dramatically as they stand, walk, and reach out with their hands.

You’ll want to provide creative activities that stimulate them during craft time, too.

May includes Children’s Day and Mother’s Day.

Let’s enjoy crafts related to these events with one-year-olds.

Here is a roundup of May craft ideas designed for one-year-olds that they can do without strain.

Because we treat what children make as works of art, the term is written as “seisaku (制作)” in the text.

Please use this as a reference.

[For 1-year-olds] Let’s learn about May! Recommended craft ideas (1–10)

Strawberries made with sensory play

Let’s try making something while enjoying the feel of paint! Here are some strawberry craft ideas using sensory play.

These ideas are perfect for anyone who wants to do a strawberry-themed project in spring.

You’ll need: bees, strawberries, hearts, caps (leaf tops), and a backing made from construction paper; paint; zipper-seal bags; round stickers; crayons; glue; and scissors.

As the children touch the paint inside the zipper-seal bags, we want to observe and support them while watching how they react.

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Spring laundry

Let’s have fun playing with colors! Here are some spring laundry-themed craft ideas.

Using paint for art projects is great for one-year-olds because it stimulates their senses and creativity.

By freely applying and mixing paint, they can develop self-expression and curiosity.

Making art with their hands and fingers also supports sensory growth by letting them enjoy different textures.

If you’d like to enjoy paint with children who are interested in it, here’s what you’ll need for the spring laundry craft: drawing paper, scissors, paint, origami paper, jute twine, paper towels, and craft glue.

Give it a try!

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Samurai helmet made from a footprint

Make adorable kids’ footprints the star! Here are ideas for crafting a samurai helmet (kabuto) using footprints.

This is a perfect project for anyone who wants to create an item kids can wear on Children’s Day.

You’ll need an envelope, construction paper, paint, sponge daubers, stickers, glue, and scissors.

In addition to making decorations for the venue, having wearable items for the day will boost the children’s excitement! Be sure to try this for Children’s Day.

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[For 1-year-olds] Let’s learn about May! Recommended craft ideas (11–20)

Strawberries made with sticker pasting

https://www.tiktok.com/@hoiku_ratty/video/7462340736697077013

Let’s have fun sticking stickers with our fingertips! Here are some strawberry craft ideas you can make with sticker pasting.

For one-year-olds, sticking stickers is a wonderful activity that nurtures fine motor skills and concentration.

Placing stickers helps them practice using their fingertips and learn precise movements and pressure control.

Completing a craft also gives them a sense of accomplishment and boosts their confidence.

You’ll need a craft paper plate, construction paper, and round stickers.

Give it a try!

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Balloons made of felt

This is a project for making balloons with the fun texture of felt.

Felt fabric has a different feel from paper, and I think children will like its touch.

It’s often used for handmade toys, so it might be a familiar material.

Simply cut the felt into various shapes and stick them onto a balloon template to finish.

You can use wood glue when attaching the pieces, but double-sided tape also works.

Many 100-yen shops sell adhesive felt sheets, so using those can make the process even smoother.

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Ants’ Errand

Here’s a craft project featuring the familiar “Ant’s Errand” from the song.

Prepare black construction paper and crayons, and let’s get started.

Have the children draw pictures on the construction paper using crayons.

When cutting out the ant’s parts from the paper, the key is to cut from the areas where the children’s drawings are.

Once all the parts are glued onto the base sheet, stick on round stickers for the eyes, add a mouth cut from construction paper, and it’s complete! Adding stickers or torn origami around it gives it a warm, handmade feel—highly recommended.

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mayumi