[Childcare] Moon-Viewing Craft Ideas
In autumn, we celebrate Otsukimi (moon viewing).
Also called Jugoya, it’s an event where people enjoy the night while gazing at a beautiful full moon.
This article introduces Otsukimi craft ideas that are useful in early childhood education.
There are lots of cute ideas featuring essentials of Otsukimi—like the moon, pampas grass (susuki), rice dumplings (dango), and rabbits—so try using them for pre-Otsukimi craft activities.
Try different ways of making the moon and dango depending on the children’s ages.
Once completed, you can turn them into wall decorations and create a September bulletin board—highly recommended.
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[Childcare] Moon-Viewing Craft Ideas (11–20)
[Paper Plate] Moon-Viewing Decoration Craft
![[Paper Plate] Moon-Viewing Decoration Craft](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/j5wtZIc7eag/sddefault.jpg)
Here’s a craft idea for moon viewing using a paper plate! First, cut out the center of the paper plate.
If a child is doing the cutting, make small starter cuts with a craft knife so they can use scissors, or cut in from the outer edge once and tape it back together later.
After removing the center, glue torn pieces of yellow origami paper onto the plate.
Next, fold a rabbit out of origami paper and fix it in the middle of the plate.
Finally, punch a hole at the top of the plate, thread a ribbon through, and tie it to finish.
Have an adult demonstrate the rabbit folding and make it together with the child!
How to fold tsukimi dango (paper craft)
Moon-viewing dango are essential sweets for the autumn full-moon night.
Prepare one sheet of origami paper, fold it into a triangle, then fold both sides up toward the center line.
Align the tip with the bottom corner, fold, and gently puff it out to form the dango.
A small slit with scissors is also a key step.
Fold the corners to shape the dango into a round form.
Finally, make the stand for the dango, attach the dango on top, and you’re done.
Try making these with children as the full-moon night approaches!
A rabbit folded from two sheets of origami paper
Rabbits are often depicted together with moon viewing because the white patterns on the moon are said to resemble a rabbit pounding mochi.
Let’s make such a rabbit using two sheets of origami paper.
First, fold the first sheet into a triangle twice, then open the triangle and fold it into a square.
Next, fold down the top single layer in half.
Flip it over and repeat the same steps.
Fold both ears toward the center, then fold the tip of one ear outward to finish the face.
Now take the second sheet of origami, fold it into a triangle in half, and open it.
Fold all four edges inward along the crease to form a diamond shape.
Fold the bottom part up, then fold it slightly back down.
Fold the top part inward as well, then fold everything in half to complete the body.
Finally, glue the face and body together and draw the face to complete your rabbit!
[Finger Stamp] Lace Paper Moon Viewing
There are various ways to create a full moon, but the one introduced here uses lace paper.
You can buy lace paper that is already yellow, or you can use white lace paper and color it with paint or stamps.
On black cardstock, attach a three-tier stand made from drawing paper, stamp white dango (rice dumplings), then add the lace-paper full moon to complete your moon-viewing craft.
You can also draw pampas grass in the empty spaces or use finger stamping to represent stars.
Moon Viewing with the Raccoon Dog and the Dragonfly
Wall decorations for moon viewing are perfect for autumn when the Harvest Moon (Jūgoya) arrives! Prepare parts like pampas grass, moon-viewing dumplings, dragonflies, and the moon, and create a moon-viewing scene on the wall.
If you want to make a display that children will love, be sure to add animal motifs like raccoon dogs (tanuki) and rabbits! Teachers can prepare the pieces in advance, and then have the children stick them on or draw the facial features to complete it together.
It’s also a great idea to read a picture book and explain, “This is what moon viewing means.”
Dragonflies and Rabbits Moon Viewing
When you hear about events in September, what comes to mind? For many people, it’s moon-viewing, isn’t it? This dragonfly-and-rabbit moon-viewing piece skillfully captures the joy of that tradition.
Rabbits are a classic motif for tsukimi, but if it’s just a rabbit, the moon, and dango, it can feel a bit lacking in impact.
The shapes are a bit complex, so it’s slightly more work, but adding decorations like rice plants and clouds instantly makes it pop—so definitely give it a try.
[Childcare] Moon-Viewing Craft Ideas (21–30)
[Tissue Paper] Rip-Rip Moon-Viewing Dango
![[Tissue Paper] Rip-Rip Moon-Viewing Dango](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/h9TnjeHnqIQ/sddefault.jpg)
Let’s roll up some tissue paper and make dango! First, prepare a black sheet for the background and create the offering stand and the moon using construction paper.
For children old enough to use scissors, have them practice by cutting along the guide lines by themselves.
Once the pieces are cut, glue them onto the background, then apply glue over the entire area where the dango will go.
Tear the tissue paper into long, thin strips, roll them between both hands, and stick them onto the glued area.
When rolling, instead of shaping them like balls, flatten them slightly—this helps them adhere to the glue better and makes them less likely to fall off.