[May] Have Fun with 3-Year-Olds! Craft Ideas Perfect for May

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.

By May, three-year-olds may be gradually getting used to their new school year.

Since the weather is pleasant, it’s a great time to actively incorporate outdoor activities.

May is also marked by events like Children’s Day and Mother’s Day, so in this article we’ll introduce crafts related to these occasions, as well as craft ideas you can enjoy outdoors.

Find ideas that suit your class’s atmosphere, interests, and curiosities.

Let’s enjoy making things together with the children!

Because the things children create are treated as works, we use the term “seisaku” (制作) in the text.

[May] Have Fun with 3-Year-Olds! Perfect Craft Ideas for May (31–40)

Skeleton flower

Introducing how to make a skeleton flower with a charming glossy shine.

Prepare transparent origami paper, a flower template, round stickers, glue, scissors, crayons, and clear tape.

Use the flower template to trace the shape onto the backing paper and cut it out.

Apply clear tape to the back of the construction paper so you can attach transparent origami paper to the flower area.

Have the children stick the cut transparent origami pieces from the front.

Mixing different transparent origami colors when sticking them makes the colors blend and look adorable.

Draw the stem with a crayon, and it’s complete.

Give it a try!

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Koinobori made with stamps

@morinonakamahoikuen
2歳児製作！好きな色の画用紙に、トイレットペーパーの芯でウロコを作って、魚の目もつけていきます！最後にヒレをつけたら可愛いこいのぼりの完成ですo(>◡<)o #Nursery school Production #Nursery School Craft 2-year-old class #2-year-old's craft Koinobori (carp streamers)#paint Children's Day
♬ Funny Kids – Syafeea library

Here’s an introduction to making a carp streamer with stamps.

Prepare paint, construction paper, scissors, and a toilet paper roll, and let’s get started.

Pre-cut the construction paper into the shape of a carp streamer.

Dip the toilet paper roll in paint, then stamp scales onto the carp-shaped construction paper.

You might enjoy seeing a variety of scale shapes, like circles and half-circles.

Have the children attach the eyes and fins made from construction paper, and it’s complete.

Try making your own original carp streamer!

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Butterflies made with swipe art

The colorful hues spark children’s curiosity! Here are butterfly ideas you can make with swipe art.

Swipe art is an art technique where you pour paint onto a canvas or drawing paper and swipe it horizontally using a sponge or a card.

The charm lies in how the colors blend and create unique patterns as you swipe.

This time, let’s make the butterfly that appears in The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

It’s a fun idea where you can enjoy the changes as the vibrant paints mix together!

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The Very Hungry Caterpillar made with fluid art

@buchiko_hoiku
🐶 @buchiko_hoiku ◂◂◂◂ Check out my other posts, too 🌼 Thank you so much for all the likes 🩷 This time: A Very Hungry Caterpillar made with a new kind of art 🐛 Do you know fluid art (pouring art)? With just liquid laundry starch/glue and acrylic paint, you can enjoy a super fun paint play activity 🩵 I had so much fun that before I knew it, I’d been playing for two hours 🤣 My recommendation: use four colors, and make one of them gold paint—the sparkle is so cute 💖 Since it has laundry glue in it, it takes time to dry! Mine was completely dry in about a day and a half ☺️ I used the pieces I made with fluid art to create a Very Hungry Caterpillar theme 🍎🍐🫐🍓🍊 I didn’t have yellow, but I still made a butterfly and it was so fun! Please try making it yourself 🌈 Thank you for reading to the end 🐶 I share easy, copy-ready ideas you can follow from the intro to the craft ♬︎ I’ll be over the moon if you like ♥, save 𖤘, and follow 𖤐 😂 Comments are super welcome, too 🤍🤍Nursery teacher / Childcare worker Kindergarten Teacher #Spring crafts #Wall Creation Toddler Crafts Play that expands from picture books #FluidArt Pooling Art #TheVeryHungryCaterpillar
♬ Lilac – Mrs. GREEN APPLE

Let’s create a popular picture-book character! We’ll introduce ideas for making The Very Hungry Caterpillar using fluid art.

The picture book The Very Hungry Caterpillar is famous worldwide, and many children are likely familiar with it from reading it at preschool or at home.

Some kids might also know it from hand-play activities or songs.

This time, let’s try making it with fluid art.

Fluid art is an art technique that uses flowing paint to create natural movement and patterns on surfaces like canvas or drawing paper.

Because the movement of the paint is unpredictable, you can create unique and original works!

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Little Bamboo Shoot made with Paper Plates

Make the most of paper plates! Here are some ideas for creating little bamboo shoots using paper plates.

Bamboo shoots are well known as an ingredient that signals the arrival of spring.

They grow quickly, have strong vitality, and their growth process is fascinating—one of their many charms.

How about trying a bamboo shoot craft with the wish that children grow up healthy and strong? You’ll need paper plates, paint, crayons, colored construction paper, a pen, and scissors.

It’s a craft that infants to preschoolers can enjoy, so give it a try!

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[May] Have fun with 3-year-olds! Craft ideas perfect for May (41–50)

Sunny with occasional clouds painted in watercolors

The key is dynamic creation! Here are ideas for painting “Sunny with occasional clouds” using paints.

There are many days with a bright, cheerful sun, but the rainy season is about to begin as well.

Since many children are interested in the weather at this time of year, let’s try a dynamic painting activity of “sunny with occasional clouds” using paints.

Prepare three sheets of white drawing paper, colored construction paper, paints, a thick brush, and crayons.

This bold project is sure to be exciting both while making it and when it’s on display! Give it a try.

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Sticker Bento (Make-your-own lunchbox with stickers)

Here’s a craft activity where you make a lunchbox by sticking pieces together.

Prepare a construction paper lunchbox, side dishes, children, round stickers, crayons, glue, and scissors, and let’s get started.

Recommended side dishes include broccoli, hamburger steak, rolled omelet, and strawberries.

Hand out the lunchboxes, have the children choose their favorite side dishes, and stick them into their lunchboxes.

It’ll be fun to see what they pick.

Once the lunchboxes are finished, it’s also a great idea to have everyone present what kind of lunch they made! You’re sure to end up with a uniquely different lunchbox for each child!

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