[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] Craft Ideas to Try with 5-Year-Olds (41–50)

Carnation clip

@sayacky_be.child
Here’s the materials list ▼ (Follow me before you forget!) [Materials] - Paper towels - Magnetic clip (mine is from Seria) - Green pipe cleaners - Gift bags - Ribbon, cards, etc. Handy tools when making - Scissors - Double-sided tape - Water-based markers or paint - Spray bottle - Clear tape - Hole punch Tips - When drying, hanging them with pipe cleaners could look cute. - If shaping leaves with pipe cleaners is hard, you can make them from construction paper instead. - I’ll share easy tips to make it look great in Stories. Everyone, thanks for your hard work as always! Wishing you bright, cheerful days… Nice to meet you! I’m Sayakki, a nursery teacher and mom of two who loves play that lets adults feel like kids again! I share play ideas that connect hearts, clear the mind, and nurture growth for both adults and children. Please follow and check out my other posts too!#Sayakki-World Nursery teacher / Childcare worker #NurseryTeacherMom #HandmadeToys #Childcare Crafting Craft Play #Childcare topic #AtHomePlay #StayHomeTime #Mother's Day Mother's Day Gift Carnation Mother’s Day craft #Mother'sDayGift
♬ Original song – sayacky_be.child – Sayakki’s Play Atelier

Let’s make it with paper towels! Here’s an idea for a carnation clip.

Paper towels are highly absorbent paper commonly used in everyday life, especially for cleaning and cooking in the kitchen.

This time, let’s use paper towels to make a carnation clip! The key is to color them with water-based markers or paints and then mist them with water.

The colors will gently spread, creating a beautiful finish.

Give it a try!

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[May] A collection of craft ideas to try with 5-year-olds (51–60)

Kitchen paper bouquet

https://www.tiktok.com/@niconico_mama/video/7223739347223268616

You can even create your own original vivid colors! Here are some ideas for kitchen paper towel bouquets.

Let’s arrange everyday paper towels that are familiar to kids and try making a bouquet.

You’ll need paper towels, water-based markers, a spray bottle, scissors, and pipe cleaners.

After cutting the paper towels into circles and coloring them with water-based markers, shape them with pipe cleaners and spray them with water.

The steps are simple, but the result is beautiful and brilliant.

It’s also nice to add a touch with wrapping.

Take this opportunity to give it a try!

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Smile Flower

@job_it
Celebration! Our collaboration with Lion-sensei has begun!! With 72,000 Instagram followers, applause! This is the first collaborative video with “Lion-sensei 🦁,” who shares tons of helpful crafts for childcare workers. This time, it’s perfect for spring: the Smile Flower! Here’s what you’ll need: • Construction paper in your favorite colors or patterns • Scissors • Double-sided tape Give it a try and make one too!Sommelier of Childcare #nursery_teacher_job_change #NurseryTeacherThings Nursery teacher / Childcare worker Kindergarten Teacher #Kindergarten #KindergartenThings Intent Survey #IWantToQuitDaycare Principal (of a kindergarten)Job change activities Career change consultation Career Advisor Job change things everyone relates to #JobChange #NurseryTeacherMade #Childcare Crafting #Production Video
♬ Berry Fairy – Dalkom Sounds

Let me introduce a smile flower you can make out of construction paper, featuring an adorable smiling face.

Prepare several colors of construction paper, double-sided tape, scissors, and colored pens.

Cut nine circles out of the construction paper and fold each one in half.

Using colorful paper is recommended because it makes the finished piece look more vibrant.

Apply double-sided tape to the upper back side of each piece, then stick all nine together to form a sphere.

Gently press it open to flatten it into a flower shape.

Once the flower shape is formed, attach circular pieces to the front and back as the flower’s center, and draw the facial expression.

Roll a strip of construction paper to make the stem, attach it along with some leaves, and you’re done.

It’s also fun to play with the colors and arrangement for a unique look.

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Butterflies made with swipe art

The colorful hues spark children’s curiosity! Here are butterfly ideas you can make with swipe art.

Swipe art is an art technique where you pour paint onto a canvas or drawing paper and swipe it horizontally using a sponge or a card.

The charm lies in how the colors blend and create unique patterns as you swipe.

This time, let’s make the butterfly that appears in The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

It’s a fun idea where you can enjoy the changes as the vibrant paints mix together!

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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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The Very Hungry Caterpillar made with fluid art

https://www.tiktok.com/@buchiko_hoiku/video/7371299354809830673

Let’s create a popular picture-book character! We’ll introduce ideas for making The Very Hungry Caterpillar using fluid art.

The picture book The Very Hungry Caterpillar is famous worldwide, and many children are likely familiar with it from reading it at preschool or at home.

Some kids might also know it from hand-play activities or songs.

This time, let’s try making it with fluid art.

Fluid art is an art technique that uses flowing paint to create natural movement and patterns on surfaces like canvas or drawing paper.

Because the movement of the paint is unpredictable, you can create unique and original works!

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Handmade aluminum balloon

https://www.tiktok.com/@mumumama_ch/video/7470453610678127890

Let’s have fun with aluminum foil! Here are some ideas for making DIY aluminum balloons.

Aluminum foil is commonly used for cooking and storage, right? This time, let’s use the aluminum foil you have at home to make handmade aluminum balloons.

You’ll need aluminum foil, a pen, a round template, stickers, scissors, laminating sheets, tape, and a stick such as a disposable chopstick.

Draw on the aluminum foil, laminate it, then make a hole and blow air into it.

Insert the stick and secure it with tape, and you’re done!

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