Lovely childcare

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

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

Last updated:2025/3/26

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 (1–10)

Rapeseed flowers made with origami

Origami: Spring rapeseed flowers (nanohana) to make with a 3-year-old

Rapeseed flowers made with origami

The steps are simple and easy to understand! Here’s an idea for making rapeseed blossoms with origami.

Many of you may have tried making flowers by folding origami, only to find the process too complicated and confusing for children.

With this idea, you can create vibrant rapeseed blossoms using simple steps! What you’ll need: light green origami cut to half size, six pieces of yellow origami cut to quarter size, and glue or double-sided tape.

It’s also great practice for aligning corners precisely.

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Tear it off and stick it! Laundry

[Kindergarten/Daycare] May Tearing-and-Pasting Laundry Art/Craft

Tear it off and stick it! Laundry

Perfect for the warm spring! Here’s a fun craft where you tear and paste paper to make a laundry scene.

What you’ll need: a wide, landscape-oriented backing sheet, clothing templates, tissue paper, string, clothespins, a tree, glue, and tape.

First, cut out the clothing templates with scissors.

Tear the tissue paper and paste it onto the cut-out clothing shapes.

Next, attach the string to the backing sheet and decorate with the tree, clothespins, and the clothes—then you’re done! Let the children choose their favorite colors for the backing sheet and tissue paper.

Hang up your original “laundry” and enjoy a cheerful spring decoration.

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Koinobori Kendama

[Children’s Day Craft] How to Make a Paper Cup “Koinobori Kendama”

Koinobori Kendama

Recommended for Children’s Day events! Here’s an idea for a carp streamer kendama.

May brings Children’s Day, doesn’t it? Many of you may be celebrating at your preschool or at home.

Take this opportunity to make a carp streamer kendama.

You’ll need paper cups, twine, copy paper, washi tape, round stickers, clear tape, scissors, and glue.

The ease of gathering the materials is part of this idea’s appeal.

Try making and playing with this carp streamer kendama!

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figure-eight pinwheel

Figure-Eight Pinwheel | Make and Play! | #shorts #childcare #crafts #handmadeToys

figure-eight pinwheel

Feel the spring breeze! Here’s how to make a figure-eight pinwheel that’s perfect for preschool activities.

You will need: paper plates, double-sided tape, wood glue, bamboo skewers, beads, and decorations.

Cut out the centers of two paper plates.

Punch four holes, then combine the plates into a figure-eight shape using double-sided tape.

Put a bit of wood glue into a bead’s hole and attach it to a bamboo skewer.

After threading it through the hole, wrap tape around the skewer so the plate doesn’t slide down.

Assemble the second tier the same way, add decorations, and you’re done!

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sensory koinobori

Koinobori Craft | Sensory Bag | Tactile Play | #shorts #Childcare

sensory koinobori

Fun to make for kids and adults alike! Here’s a recommended craft for making a koinobori (carp streamer).

First, put transparent origami paper or any parts you like into a clear plastic bag.

Next, add liquid laundry starch (or liquid glue) and seal the opening with clear tape.

Roll it into a tube and tape both ends to hold the shape.

Fix a koinobori frame with the center cut out onto the plastic using tape.

Apply double-sided tape around the edge, place another sheet on top to sandwich it, and finally add the eyes to finish! It also looks cute if you put kids’ favorite character stickers or illustrations inside.

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Sparkling sun catcher

@info_habataki
Hello! This is the Habataki Group. Today we’re introducing an easy-to-make Sparkling Sun Catcher. — Materials — • Candy lid • Liquid glue • Beads • Water-based markers • String — It’s simple to make! Hold it up to the sun to enjoy the sparkle, or use it as a decoration.Chiba City Child Development Support After-school day service Nursery teacher / Childcare worker work #StayAtHomeSquad
♬ Take me (feat. reina) – voquote Remix – Snowk & voquote

Let’s make a sparkling sun catcher with a candy lid and liquid glue! Here are some ideas to get you started.

A sun catcher is a decorative item that reflects light to create beautiful patterns.

They’re often made of glass or crystal, but this time we’ll try using liquid glue! What you’ll need: a candy lid, liquid glue, decorative materials like beads and glitter, an awl, and some string.

You can enjoy decorating with your favorite pieces, so it’s sure to spark kids’ creativity.

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Kashiwa Mochi and Swaying Kintaro

[Children’s Day] Kashiwa Mochi and Rocking Kintarō [Paper Cup Craft]

Kashiwa Mochi and Swaying Kintaro

Cute as interior decor! Here are ideas for a Kashiwa-mochi and a wobbly Kintaro.

Kintaro is the strong boy who appears in Japanese legends.

He grew up playing with animals in the mountains, and the story where he wrestles a bear is especially famous—many children may have seen it in picture books.

Let’s make an adorable piece where Kintaro gently wobbles! You’ll need paper cups, colored construction paper, pipe cleaners, cloth tape, colored pens, a craft knife, scissors, and glue.

It also sounds fun to add your own twists as you make it!

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