May: Craft Ideas That Excite 4-Year-Olds!
May is the time when the new school year settles down a bit and the weather is perfect for enjoyable outdoor activities.
Four-year-olds are surely excited about the new season, too.
May also includes Children’s Day and Mother’s Day, making it a great time to deepen learning about traditional events.
In this article, we’ll introduce May craft ideas you’ll want to enjoy with four-year-olds.
Four-year-olds are increasingly energetic.
Let’s incorporate ideas that not only involve making crafts, but also add twists to the process and allow children to play with what they create.
Because items made by children are treated as works of art, we use the term “制作 (seisaku),” meaning “creation/work,” rather than “製作,” in the text.
[May] 10 Craft Ideas for 4-Year-Olds That Spark Excitement (1–10)
koinobori rocket
Carp streamers burst out with energy and excitement! Here’s an idea for a Koinobori Rocket.
When you think of Children’s Day, many people picture koinobori, right? This time, let’s make a toy with a carp streamer motif that you can build and play with! You will need two paper cups, two rubber bands, decorative materials like stickers and colored paper, scissors, a craft knife, and clear tape.
The decoration is very flexible, so it’s sure to spark kids’ creativity!
Sparkly Helmet
Let’s make it with newspaper! Here are some ideas for a sparkly samurai helmet (kabuto).
May is known for Children’s Day, right? Many preschools and homes display kabuto helmets and carp streamers (koinobori).
This time, we’re sharing kabuto ideas that you can not only display but also wear, so take this opportunity to give it a try! What you’ll need: origami paper, round stickers, square stickers, mirror tape, construction paper cut into circles, scissors, glue, crayons, and double-sided tape.
With shiny tape, stickers, and origami, kids are sure to get excited!
Wavy 3D butterfly with fluttering wings
The wings sway gently and look so cute! Here’s how to make a 3D butterfly that’s perfect for spring.
First, dip a plastic bottle cap in paint and stamp it onto thin strips of colored construction paper.
You can use both sides of the cap for different effects.
Next, cut out the butterfly’s wings—which will also form its body—using scissors.
Stamp the wings as well, then fold them down the middle.
After that, bring the ends of the first stamped thin strip together to create a 3D wing shape.
Make two of these and attach them to the body wings with double-sided tape.
Finish by adding antennae with a pipe cleaner, and you’re done! These are great for wall decorations too, so try making them with the kids.
Paper Cup Windmill
May is when it gets warmer and kids spend more time playing outside.
In this refreshing season, many children are probably looking forward to outdoor activities.
A pinwheel made from a paper cup could make playing outdoors even more fun.
Make a hole in the center of the cup’s bottom, then cut the rim into six equal sections with scissors.
Use a pen to draw patterns on the rotating part of the pinwheel.
The drawing step lets children enjoy expressing their creativity.
Fix the pinwheel using a toothpick and a straw with a chopstick inside, and it’s done.
If you set aside time in pleasant May weather to run and spin the pinwheel, the children are sure to be delighted.
Sparkling sun catcher
https://www.tiktok.com/@info_habataki/video/7439675115391978759Let’s make one using a candy container lid and liquid glue! Here’s an idea for a sparkling sun catcher.
Sun catchers are decorative items that reflect or refract sunlight to create beautiful patterns of light.
They’re often made with crystal glass or mineral parts, but this time we’ll use liquid glue.
What you’ll need: a candy container lid, liquid glue, your favorite beads, water-based color pens, and string.
You can already picture the excited faces of kids as they make them, right?
stained-glass-style photo frame
https://www.tiktok.com/@hoiku.seisaku/video/7364999009821347079Stylish and perfect as a gift! Let me share an idea for a picture frame that looks like stained glass.
In May, we also have Mother’s Day, right? Many of you might be wondering what to make for it.
Why not try creating a stained-glass-style photo frame that looks even more beautiful when light shines through it? You’ll need toilet paper rolls, laminating film, origami paper, masking tape, double-sided tape, stickers, construction paper, and scissors.
It’s great because you can display it at home!
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!