Lovely childcare

Fun November craft ideas for 1-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.

Curious one-year-olds, full of wonder, grow freely as they see, touch, and absorb many things.

For teachers who are thinking, “I want to enjoy autumn-specific crafts with the children!” this is a must-see.

Here, we introduce craft ideas recommended for one-year-olds in November.

We’ve gathered many ideas that incorporate autumn-themed motifs like acorns, fallen leaves, mushrooms, and red dragonflies.

We also introduce fun techniques that boost one-year-olds’ “I want to try it!” spirit, as well as activities that make use of materials offering a variety of textures.

Please use these ideas as a reference to support your autumn childcare.

Because we present ideas for creating works that allow children to express their free imagination, the term “seisaku” is written as 「制作」 in the text.

Fun for 1-Year-Olds! November Craft Activity Ideas (1–10)

The autumn-colored caterpillar

Speaking of caterpillars, we usually think of green ones, but caterpillars dressed in autumn colors are adorable too.

Let’s make a version of the beloved children’s book character, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, using fall foliage colors.

On a sheet of white construction paper, you’ll stamp circles—but the stamp is a blown-up balloon.

Mix a few paints in your favorite autumn shades, press the balloon lightly into the paint, then dab and twist it on the paper to make circles.

Even two-year-olds can have fun bouncing the balloon to stamp! Cut out the circles, add a face, and it’s complete.

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Autumn of art, drawing freely

We often have plenty of chances to draw.

So here’s an idea that lets you feel the autumn season.

First, draw freely—finger painting or decalcomania are both great.

Once the artwork is finished, mount it on brown construction paper to make it look like it’s in a frame.

After that, add a paper cutout of a child so it looks like the child is doing the drawing.

That alone is wonderful, but for the finishing touch, decorate it with fallen leaves and more.

It’ll create a perfect “autumn of the arts” atmosphere.

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Fallen leaves made with a coffee filter

[Autumn Classroom Wall Decor] Realistic fallen leaves made with coffee filters 🍂 #PreschoolCrafts #PreschoolTeacher #TeachingIdeas #FuturePreschoolTeacher #TeacherLife #Crafts #WithKids #WallDecorProject #Paint #PaintPlay

Fallen leaves made with a coffee filter

Let’s use coffee filters to make and play with autumn leaves! First, dampen the coffee filter.

Using a spray bottle to mist it all over makes it easy.

With the filter fully moistened, load a brush with paint and apply it on top.

Even if the color isn’t perfectly even, having variations in tone actually makes the leaves look more realistic.

Once the paint is dry, cut out leaf shapes.

Adding creases to the leaves gives them a three-dimensional look and makes them appear more realistic when displayed, so it’s highly recommended.

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Fun for 1-year-olds! November Craft Activity Ideas (11–20)

Stylish mushrooms made with masking tape

Masking tape comes in all sorts of designs and patterns.

How about using that tape to make stylish mushrooms? On a sheet of white drawing paper, stick your favorite masking tapes randomly—vertically, horizontally, and diagonally.

Once you’ve added as much as you like, cut the paper into the shape of a mushroom cap, then pair it with another piece of paper cut into the shape of the mushroom stem to complete the craft.

Each child will choose different tapes and arrangements, resulting in wonderfully original creations.

Depending on the children’s ages, teachers should handle any steps that involve using scissors.

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Autumn Lion

Here’s a craft idea for making an autumn lion using fallen leaves.

Draw the lion’s face in the center on the back side of a paper plate.

Let the children use crayons or other materials to draw the lion however they like.

Once the face is done, stick double-sided tape around the rim of the plate and attach fallen leaves onto the tape.

Go all the way around the plate so the leaves form the lion’s mane.

Mixing green leaves with orange and yellow ones, as well as leaves of various shapes, will create a unique and expressive lion.

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Fallen Leaves Cake

[Ages 0–2] Feel the Fall: Make a Leaf Cake!

Fallen Leaves Cake

Autumn parks are full of fallen leaves and acorns, and you can really feel the season, can’t you? Kids tend to play at the park more in autumn, so why not use the leaves and acorns you find there to make a “fallen-leaf cake” craft? First, prepare a three-tier cake base out of cardboard.

Have the children color some drawing paper and paste it onto the base, then let them decorate it with the fallen leaves and acorns.

The sticking and pasting are easy even for little kids, so it’s a simple way to enjoy an art experience!

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A squirrel holding grapes

Let’s make a cute squirrel holding grapes using a pom-pom stamp made from a plastic bottle! Have the kids do the stamping.

It’s easy and fun—just dip it in their favorite paint and stamp pom-pom onto construction paper.

You can prepare several colors of paint, or choose just one color for a cohesive look.

After stamping, cut the prints into grape shapes and add leaves.

Then simply attach them to the squirrel’s pre-made hands.

A lovely, autumn-themed craft is complete!

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