Lovely childcare

[For 4-Year-Olds] Recommended in November! Autumn-Themed Craft Activities

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.

As the number of chilly days increases, November ushers in the height of autumn.

Many teachers may be thinking, “I want children to fully experience the charms of autumn!”

So this time, we’re introducing creative project ideas for 4-year-olds that are perfect for November.

Packed with ideas that incorporate a variety of autumn-themed motifs—natural materials like acorns and fallen leaves, delicious seasonal foods, and adorable creatures such as bagworms and squirrels—these projects help children feel the essence of autumn.

We also share project ideas related to Shichi-Go-San, so be sure to use them as a reference.

Because we’re introducing ideas that nurture children’s flexible imaginations through making things, we use the term “seisaku” (creative projects) in the main text.

[For 4-year-olds] Recommended for November! Autumn-themed craft activities (41–50)

Autumn Origami! How to Fold a Mushroom

How to Fold an Autumn Origami Mushroom [Easy Origami Lesson]

Autumn Origami! How to Fold a Mushroom

Prepare two sheets of origami paper, round stickers, and glue to make a cute, original mushroom.

We’ll create it in two parts: the cap and the stem.

For the cap, fold the paper into a triangle, then fold the corners to shape it like a mushroom cap.

For the stem, make a triangular crease, then fold the left and right corners toward the center twice.

Tuck the tip into the crease, adjust the shape, and round it out to complete the stem.

Glue the cap and stem together, add the round stickers, and enjoy making your own original mushroom!

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Three-dimensional bagworm

[Origami] Bagworm – Easy folding method, how to make a 3D version, autumn origami that kids as young as 3 can make, instructions children can follow, origami for September, October, and November [Origami]

Three-dimensional bagworm

Here’s a 3D bagworm origami idea.

You’ll make it in two parts: one head piece and two cloak (mino) pieces.

First, we’ll make the head.

Fold the paper into a triangle to make a crease.

Fold the bottom corner up to the crease, then roll up the bottom edge about 5 mm.

Fold along the crease again to return it to a triangle.

Flip the paper over, fold both corners inward, then fold them back outward.

Fold the outer corners of the small triangles you just made upward, and also fold the bottom corner inward.

Next, for the cloak: Fold the paper into a triangle, then fold both side corners up to meet the top corner.

Slightly fold the raised top corner back down, open that part, and squash it flat.

Flip the squashed section to the back, then fold the lower left and right edges slightly inward.

That’s one cloak piece done.

Make two of these, attach them to the head, draw the face, and you’re finished.

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A self-standing pine cone!

[Origami] Pine Cone – Autumn Decoration, Winter Decoration, Easy, Self-Standing

A self-standing pine cone!

A three-dimensional pine cone that’s perfect for autumn decorations can be made by gluing together several parts.

Prepare four pieces cut from a single sheet of origami paper divided into quarters.

Fold each piece into a triangle, then fold both sides up at positions set slightly away from the center line.

Open it up and fold the triangular tip to create a part.

Make four identical parts, then glue them together to form the shape of a pine cone.

The key is to glue them while checking the balance and width.

Give this three-dimensional, autumn-inspired pine cone a try!

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Let’s make a bagworm wreath!

https://www.tiktok.com/@levwell_hoikushi/video/7553510974704209173

Let’s make a wreath with a swinging bagworm! Cut out the center of a paper plate so only the rim remains, spread glue on it, and stick on crumpled tissue paper from the top.

For the bagworm, cut colored construction paper into parts and assemble them by gluing.

While real cocoons are usually brown, since this is a decoration, it’s fun to finish it colorfully by adding round stickers.

You can draw the face with a pen or use round stickers for it.

Attach twine to the bagworm and hang it in the center of the paper plate, and your cute wreath is complete.

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Two types of Mushichan only for infants and toddlers

Here are two fun bagworm craft ideas using twisted tissue paper and paper tape loops.

First, cut a square piece of tissue paper and round off one side with scissors.

Gently twist the side you didn’t cut, and glue it onto a base for the bagworm made from construction paper.

Prepare tissue paper in various colors to make a colorful “mino” (the bag).

Attach a face made from construction paper to finish.

For the paper tape version, cut the tape to a suitable length, glue one end to the base, then overlap the other end to form a loop and secure it.

Cover the whole body in rows, and finish it the same way by adding the face.

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A bagworm papercraft made with an envelope

Let me share an idea for making a bagworm using a brown envelope.

Cut off the top of the envelope with scissors, then fold the top left and right corners to the back.

Stick on eyes made by layering white and black round stickers, and then decorate the body with colored paper or yarn to represent the case.

Tear the colored paper into small pieces beforehand, and cut the yarn into suitable lengths.

Finally, tape a piece of jute string to the back of the envelope, and it’s done.

In addition to colored paper and yarn, you could also glue on leaves or small twigs you collected on a walk for a cute touch.

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It breaks after 8 folds! How to fold a chestnut

[Origami] How to fold a chestnut — Origami Chestnut

It breaks after 8 folds! How to fold a chestnut

Fold the top and bottom of the origami together to make a crease.

With the white side facing up, fold the two corners on the right into a triangle, aligning them with the crease.

Turn the paper over, place it so the triangle is at the top, then fold the bottom edge up to meet the base of the triangle.

Turn the paper over again and fold the two bottom corners into triangles.

Finally, fold the left and right corners inward to neaten the shape, and you’re done.

This is a very simple folding method, so even children who feel a bit unsure about origami can enjoy making it.

Finish by drawing a face with a pen.

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