[Childcare] Feel May! A special feature of fun craft ideas to make

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.
9 years of experience as a nursery school teacherShibata Risa
I am an active nursery school teacher with 9 years of experience. After graduating from university, I worked at a daycare center. The time I spent happily with children—playing piano, singing songs, and doing finger-play—are priceless memories to me. Currently, while raising three children of my own, I work at an after-school day service, engaging with children and providing individualized developmental support. Drawing on my diverse experiences as a childcare worker and as a mother, I hope to express and convey my thoughts through writing.

May, with its warm and refreshing breezes, is full of exciting events for children!

Many teachers may be thinking about creating crafts that capture the feeling of the season.

In this article, we’ll introduce recommended craft projects for May.

We’ve gathered plenty of fun ideas you’ll want to make—from event-themed crafts to insects and fruits seen in May, as well as vividly colored plants.

Feel free to adapt the activities to match children’s interests and curiosity, and enjoy making them together.

Because the pieces children create are treated as works, we use the term “seisaku” (production/work) in the text.

[Early Childhood Education] Feel the month of May! A special collection of fun craft ideas to make (61–70)

little bird

Arranging is so much fun! Here are some little bird ideas to try.

The children’s song “Kotori no Uta,” featuring a bird that loves to sing, is probably well loved in nurseries and kindergartens, isn’t it? This time, let’s make a little bird out of construction paper.

All you need is construction paper in your favorite colors, crayons, and round stickers.

It’s super cute to use the children’s handprints as the bird’s wings, so we highly recommend it! Make your little bird using crayons and round stickers, and let the kids arrange it in any style they like.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

A little bird made with scribbles

Let’s draw freely with crayons! Here are some ideas for making little birds from scribbles.

Scribbling refers to the bold, free lines and drawings that children create just as they please.

It’s characterized by lines drawn casually with big movements of the hands and arms.

This is an important time to enjoy the fun of drawing and take the first step in self-expression, so let’s make something that makes the most of children’s drawings! What you’ll need: drawing paper, crayons, paper parts (made from construction paper), glue, and scissors.

Give it a try!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

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.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Strawberries made with sensory play

Let’s try making something while enjoying the feel of paint! Here are some strawberry craft ideas using sensory play.

These ideas are perfect for anyone who wants to do a strawberry-themed project in spring.

You’ll need: bees, strawberries, hearts, caps (leaf tops), and a backing made from construction paper; paint; zipper-seal bags; round stickers; crayons; glue; and scissors.

As the children touch the paint inside the zipper-seal bags, we want to observe and support them while watching how they react.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Samurai helmet made from a footprint

Make adorable kids’ footprints the star! Here are ideas for crafting a samurai helmet (kabuto) using footprints.

This is a perfect project for anyone who wants to create an item kids can wear on Children’s Day.

You’ll need an envelope, construction paper, paint, sponge daubers, stickers, glue, and scissors.

In addition to making decorations for the venue, having wearable items for the day will boost the children’s excitement! Be sure to try this for Children’s Day.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem