Lovely childcare

[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 idea collection (31–40)

[Stamping] Koinobori (carp streamers)

[Easy Craft] Perfect for Children’s Day! We made a Koinobori (carp streamer)! [For 1-year-olds]

[Stamping] Koinobori (carp streamers)

Here’s an idea for kids to enjoy stamping: attach a plastic bottle cap to a lactic acid bacteria drink bottle to make a handle, stick on a spiral-shaped pipe cleaner to form the stamp, and stamp away! What you’ll make is a carp streamer, perfect for Children’s Day.

Have the kids stamp scales onto white paper, then cut out a carp streamer shape from construction paper and glue on the scales and an eye.

Wrap the head around a straw, add a rotating wheel and streamers, and it’s done! Please have an adult handle any steps other than the stamping.

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koinobori bag

[Kindergarten/Daycare] May Koinobori (Carp Streamer) Bag Craft

koinobori bag

Let’s make a Koinobori (carp streamer) bag using an empty egg carton! Have the children crumple tissue paper in their favorite colors and place the pieces into the carton’s hollows.

If the carton is a large size, you’ll need 10 pieces, so it might be a bit of work, but do your best to crumple them! Once all the tissue paper is set, attach a ribbon handle with double-sided tape, close the carton, and secure it with tape.

Use construction paper or origami paper to make the carp’s face and tail fin, then attach them to the front and back of the carton.

Take your Koinobori out and have fun!

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Handmade strawberries

[0- and 1-year-olds] We made strawberries and played pretend strawberry picking.

Handmade strawberries

Strawberries are in season in spring, and you often see them at supermarkets.

Children will probably have more chances to eat them, too.

Here, we’re introducing a strawberry craft idea.

Put crumpled tissue paper into a clear plastic bag and use small black round stickers to represent the seeds.

Finally, attach a calyx made from construction paper, and it’s done! Crumpling the tissue paper feels interesting and makes a fun crinkly sound, so encourage children to enjoy rolling it up.

Tying the bag is difficult for one-year-olds, so please have an adult do that part.

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[Torn-Paper Collage] 3D Koinobori (Carp Streamer)

I tried making koinobori!! Sharing arrangements and tips for nursery teachers ♪ (koinobori, craft, daycare, Children's Day)

[Torn-Paper Collage] 3D Koinobori (Carp Streamer)

Here’s a craft idea for making a carp streamer (koinobori) with a paper cup.

First, punch two holes in the side near the bottom of the paper cup so you can thread a straw through it as the pole.

Next, tear origami paper into small pieces and glue them onto the cup to create the scales.

Attach eyes made from construction paper to the cup, thread the straw through, and your koinobori is complete! If you want to stand it up, use another paper cup cut in half as a base—make a hole in its bottom and insert the straw.

Have the children handle the step of tearing and gluing the origami paper, and let adults take care of the other steps.

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In conclusion

We’ve introduced May craft ideas that you can enjoy with one-year-olds.

Through May-themed motifs, these activities let children freely explore expression by touching materials with their hands, crumpling, and sticking.

Let’s cherish their excited expressions and share moments of discovery and joy together through crafting.