Lovely childcare

[May] A collection of craft ideas to try with 5-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 has pleasant weather, and it somehow makes you feel excited, doesn’t it?

The five-year-olds, now the oldest in the class, may have settled down a bit since moving up a level.

May is also known for events like Children’s Day and Mother’s Day, so we’d love for you to try activities and crafts themed around these occasions and the month of May.

This time, we’ve gathered a variety of fun ideas using different materials and techniques.

These are ideas that five-year-olds will feel motivated to tackle precisely because of their age, so please give them a try.

Because the children’s creations are treated as works (art pieces), we use the term “seisaku” (制作) in the text.

[May] A Collection of Craft Ideas (71–80) to Do with 5-Year-Olds

[Egg Carton] 3D Koinobori (carp streamer)

Easy Craft: “Egg Carton Koinobori” [Daycare Activity • May Craft]

[Egg Carton] 3D Koinobori (carp streamer)

Let me introduce an idea for making colorful carp streamers using an egg carton.

First, choose origami paper in your favorite colors and crumple each sheet by hand.

If you’re using a carton for 10 eggs, crumple 10 sheets and place them into the hollows.

Fold a piece of construction paper in half to make the carp’s face, and draw eyes on both sides near the fold.

In the same way, fold another piece of construction paper in half, cut it diagonally to make the tail fin, then attach the face and tail to the closed carton.

Finally, insert a disposable chopstick into the center of the carton and tape it shut to finish!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

[Origami] Koinobori Wreath

Let's make a May carp streamer wreath with origami!

[Origami] Koinobori Wreath

Let me share an idea for a koi nobori wreath made with origami.

For the wreath base, fold a single sheet of origami paper into a long triangle.

Basically, you’ll fold along the creases and edges, but since there are steps for making creases and separate steps for actual folds, have an adult explain and proceed slowly.

Make six identical triangular pieces and combine them to form the wreath.

Next, make a samurai helmet (kabuto) and koi nobori out of origami paper, attach them to a straw, and then stick them onto the wreath to finish.

For the koi nobori, try using washi-patterned origami paper.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

[Dyed Paper] Vividly Colored Koinobori (Carp Streamers)

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

[Dyed Paper] Vividly Colored Koinobori (Carp Streamers)

While enjoying dyeing hanshi paper with paint, why not try making a koinobori (carp streamer)? Place the hanshi horizontally and accordion-fold it vertically.

Then fold it into triangles starting from one end, and when it’s tightly rolled, secure it with a rubber band so it doesn’t unfold.

Prepare paint diluted with water and dye only the corners, leaving the center of the triangle uncolored.

It’s fine to dye each corner a different color.

Gently open the hanshi, let it dry, and cut it into the shape of a koinobori.

Stick it onto a backing sheet where you’ve drawn a pole, add the face, and you’re done! Hanshi tears easily, so be careful when cutting or drawing.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

“Milk Carton” Bouncing Koinobori Toy

[Children’s Day Craft] Make it from recycled materials! A bouncy jumping koi-nobori toy

"Milk Carton" Bouncing Koinobori Toy

Here’s a craft idea for a playable carp streamer (koinobori) made from a milk carton.

Cut the milk carton 12–13 cm up from the bottom, and wrap construction paper around it.

Use construction paper to make the eyes, scales, and mouth parts, then attach them, balancing the layout as you go.

Stick the mouth onto the bottom part of the carton.

Once your koinobori is complete, let’s play with it! To play, press down on the tail end of the koinobori from above and then release.

The carton will spring back and the koinobori will boing! and jump.

If it doesn’t jump well, try pressing both side panels inward to create slight creases.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

[Paper Plate] Koinobori Wreath

[Children’s Day] Handmade Koinobori Paper Plate Wreath [Craft]

[Paper Plate] Koinobori Wreath

Let’s make a carp streamer wreath using a paper plate.

First, cut out the inner circle of the paper plate and paint the entire plate.

If you’re using scissors, make a slit from the outside edge to start your cut.

Once the paint is dry, place a piece of tape over the slit to close it.

Cut out carp streamers and cloud parts from construction paper.

Arrange and glue the clouds around the rim of the paper plate, then tape a piece of jute twine vertically to the back of the plate.

Draw faces on the carp streamers and use a cotton swab to paint the scale patterns, then attach them to the jute twine.

Finally, add a hanging ring to the top of the paper plate, and it’s complete.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

In conclusion

We introduced craft ideas to try with five-year-olds in May. As the oldest children in the class, five-year-olds are now able to take on more challenging steps. Be sure to choose projects with seasonal motifs that they can enjoy working on. The pieces they work hard to create will likely help both themselves and others feel their growth.