Lovely childcare

May: Craft Ideas That Excite 4-Year-Olds!

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.

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] Exciting for 4-year-olds! A collection of May craft ideas (41–50)

bag-style accessory case

Make it with a clear file folder and paper plates! Here’s an idea for a small pouch that looks like a handbag.

It’s perfect for yourself, and also recommended as a gift for Mother’s Day or Family Day.

You’ll need paper plates, a hole punch, chenille stems (pipe cleaners), beads, a clear file folder, scissors, and double-sided tape.

If you place carnations made from the children’s handprints in the finished piece, it will make an even more wonderful gift.

Take this opportunity to give it a try!

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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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Kashiwa-mochi castanets

[Handmade Instruments] With Paper Clay! Kashiwa Mochi Castanets [Children’s Day Craft]

Kashiwa-mochi castanets

Let’s get crafting for Children’s Day! Here’s a fun idea for making Kashiwa Mochi castanets.

Many preschools and kindergartens probably sing children’s songs like “Koinobori” together during Children’s Day events, right? Let’s make Kashiwa Mochi castanets that will come in handy for those moments! You’ll need cardboard or a milk carton, green construction paper, white air-dry clay, buttons, colored pens, glue, craft adhesive, and scissors.

It’s a delightful, event-specific craft—give it a try!

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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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Flower Magnet

[Kindergarten/Daycare] May Flower Magnet Gift Craft

Flower Magnet

Decorate your fridge or whiteboard with these flower magnets! Here are some ideas.

They’re also perfect for Mother’s Day gifts! You will need: white drawing paper cut into circles, tissue paper, two large and two small felt circles, two plastic bottle caps, two magnets, craft glue, electrical tape, scissors, and glue stick.

If you draw a portrait of your mom and give it together with the flower magnets, it’s a lovely way to show your appreciation.

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