Lovely childcare

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

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

Last updated:2025/4/30

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] 10 Craft Ideas for 4-Year-Olds That Spark Excitement (1–10)

koinobori rocket

[Children’s Day Craft] How to Make a Koinobori Rocket

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!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Sparkly Helmet

[Kindergarten/Daycare] Sparkling Kabuto (samurai helmet) Craft for May

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!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Wavy 3D butterfly with fluttering wings

[Craft / Making] “Wings-Wobbling 3D Butterfly” Wall Decoration Craft – Preschool/Childcare Craft, Elderly Care Recreation

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.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Paper Cup Windmill

Let’s spin and play! Easy to make with paper cups♪ Paper Cup Pinwheel [Fujiko-sensei]

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.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

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 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?

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

stained-glass-style photo frame

@hoiku.seisaku
The sheer look is the key ✨ Just by using a transparent backing, your Mother’s Day gift project instantly becomes stylish 🎁 Adjust the activity content according to the grade level and be sure to give it a try! Materials and crafting tips are in the comments 🎀#Childcare Crafting #May production May Crafts Mother’s Day craft Family Day Craft
To You, Who’s Trying Harder Than Anyone in the World – Kigurumi

Stylish 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!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

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!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem