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 May Craft Ideas for 4-Year-Olds (31–40)

Handmade coaster

[For Nursery and Kindergarten] Fail-proof!? Easy and Cute Family Day Craft 🌈 “Make Your Own Handmade Coasters!!”

Handmade coaster

A perfect gift for Family Day! Here are some ideas for handmade coasters.

Many childcare centers may set Family Day as a time to express gratitude not only to dads and moms but also to any guardians who spend time with the children.

This time, let’s make handmade coasters that can be used at home! You’ll need permanent markers, rubbing alcohol or 90% ethanol, tiles, a waterproof finishing spray, and decorative materials like glitter.

Work indoors in a well-ventilated area and make sure to keep the space properly ventilated while you create.

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Let’s make a kabuto (samurai helmet)

Let’s make a special craft just for Children’s Day! Here are some ideas for making a samurai helmet (kabuto).

Even if you’ve finished your main craft for Children’s Day, this is a great idea for something fun to make and play with on the day itself.

Use construction paper in your favorite colors to make a kabuto, then decorate it with stickers and pens.

If you attach string or elastic to the finished kabuto, kids can wear it and enjoy it even more—guaranteed excitement! Be sure to give it a try.

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Make a carp streamer with dyed paper

Make Koinobori with Dyed Paper: A May Craft for Use in Preschools (For 5-Year-Olds)

Make a carp streamer with dyed paper

An event recommended for older kindergarteners! Here’s an idea for making carp streamers (koinobori) using dyed paper.

Older kindergarteners are at a stage where they can do things on their own and develop a sense of responsibility.

It’s also their final year spent with teachers and friends at daycare or kindergarten, so let’s hold events on these important days to create memories and feel their growth! You’ll need dyed paper or washi (rice paper), paints, crayons, scissors, glue, and rubber bands.

Both the process of making them and the time spent admiring the finished creations become precious memories.

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[Craft Play] Where the Dinosaurs Are

[Practical Guide] Where the Dinosaurs Are (Younger Class, May – Classroom Environment)

[Craft Play] Where the Dinosaurs Are

April 17 is known as Dinosaur Day, named for the date when American zoologist Roy Chapman Andrews, who helped spark dinosaur research, set out for the Gobi Desert.

To celebrate Dinosaur Day, here’s a craft you’ll want to make using cardboard, paper, and paint.

Imagine creating a space where dinosaurs live: make three-dimensional dinosaurs out of cardboard, and paint the background on paper.

Refer to picture books and other sources to imagine and build a place where your cardboard dinosaurs can live happily.

It’s also a great idea to have everyone think about how to create the background and which dinosaurs to place.

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Sticky Felt Balloon

Here’s a craft idea for making balloons that highlights the soft, fluffy texture of felt.

First, cut light blue construction paper into the shape of a balloon.

Next, cut felt in three colors into triangles or squares.

Finally, use craft glue to stick the felt onto the balloon and add a yarn string as the handle to finish.

It also looks cute to display the balloon as if an animal or character is holding it.

Adjust tasks like cutting the paper and using scissors according to the children’s ages, interests, and abilities.

Besides felt, it’s also great to use various materials like ribbons and beads to decorate the balloon.

Give it a try for inspiration!

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

Twisting Soap Bubbles

[Preschool Teacher] Easy Handmade Toy! How to Make a Spinning Bubble Wand [Daycare/Kindergarten]

Twisting Soap Bubbles

Make and play! Here’s an idea for unbreakable, twirling soap bubbles.

You’ll need holographic origami paper, round stickers, a straw, scissors, reinforcement ring stickers, a bamboo skewer, and tape.

First, cut the holographic origami paper into 5 mm strips and attach eight strips to a round sticker.

Cut four slits in the straw and apply a reinforcement ring sticker.

After adhering the straw and holographic paper together, thread them onto the bamboo skewer.

Tape the top in place, and you’re done!

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Easter egg maracas

[Spring Craft] Perfect for music play♪ Let’s make Easter egg maracas 🥚🌸

Easter egg maracas

Here’s how to make spring-inspired Easter egg maracas.

Prepare two bottle caps, beads, vinyl tape, newspaper, aluminum foil, and a permanent marker.

Put beads into one cap, place the two caps together, and secure them with vinyl tape to make the sound component of the maraca.

Wrap the caps with newspaper to form an egg shape.

The key is to create a nice rounded bulge as you shape the egg.

Color the aluminum foil with a permanent marker, wrap it around the egg, and you’re done.

Decorating with washi tape or sparkly stickers is also recommended.

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