Lovely childcare

Preschool: Autumn-Themed Craft Ideas Recommended for November

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.

In November, as the cold gradually sets in, we get to enjoy beautiful autumn foliage and delicious seasonal flavors.

Why not try some fun crafts that capture those delightful autumn moments?

In this article, we’ll share craft ideas for November that let you feel the season.

We’ve gathered a variety of ideas, including autumn foods made with different materials and projects using natural items like acorns.

They’re all activities children can enjoy!

As November gets colder, let’s make the most of autumn indoors!

Because the items children make are treated as works, we refer to them as “seisaku” (productions) in the text.

[Childcare] Autumn-themed craft ideas recommended for November (91–100)

Origami Squirrel You Can Fold from a Single Sheet!

Origami “Squirrel” Easy How-To [Autumn Craft Activity]

Origami Squirrel You Can Fold from a Single Sheet!

Here’s an idea for making a squirrel out of origami, perfect for autumn crafts.

First, fold the paper into a triangle.

Then, as if making a paper cup, fold both corners inward so they cross over and overlap.

Turn the paper upside down, and fold the corners you just made upward to create the squirrel’s ears.

Flip the paper over, and fold up one layer of the bottom corner into a triangle.

Fold a small part of that corner to the back to represent the squirrel’s white belly.

Flip the paper over again, fold up the remaining bottom corner, then make a small cut near the left edge and shape it into the tail.

Draw the body pattern and face with a pen to finish.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Grapes made from toilet paper rolls

[Nursery Craft] Grape Craft: How to Make a 3D Version with Origami!

Grapes made from toilet paper rolls

This is a 3D grape craft made using toilet paper rolls.

Cut the cardboard tube into three equal rings, apply double-sided tape to the sides, and stick them together in the shape of a grape cluster.

After attaching the grapes to a construction paper base that looks like a plate, crumple light green and purple origami paper and insert them into each circular ring.

Finally, cut origami paper into a T shape to make the stem and attach it to complete the grapes.

If using scissors is difficult for a child, prepare the ring frames in advance and have them take charge of crumpling and inserting the grape “berries.”

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Acorn Hedgehog

[Craft with Scrap Materials] Using Acorns You Picked Up! How to Make a Hedgehog Ornament

Acorn Hedgehog

Here’s a recommended project for when you want to make something with acorns you’ve picked up: an acorn hedgehog.

First, shape paper clay into a teardrop while imagining a hedgehog.

While the clay is still soft, apply glue and embed acorns to secure them in place.

Press a bead into the tip for the nose.

Next, insert colorful pipe cleaners cut into 2–3 cm pieces into the gaps between the acorns.

Finally, add sticker eyes and you’re done! You don’t need any special tools, and most of the work is just embedding pieces, so it’s easy even for younger children to try.

Give it a go and create a unique, personality-filled piece!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Frottage of fallen leaves

[Autumn Crafts] Four Painting Techniques Using Fallen Leaves and How to Do Them [Nursery School/Kindergarten]

Frottage of fallen leaves

Speaking of autumn, fallen leaves are an essential motif.

The way leaves in various colors pile up beautifully on the ground is striking.

It’s also a season when people often design fallen leaves in their drawings, but by using real leaves, you can create even more realistic designs.

With a technique called frottage, you place fallen leaves under the paper and rub over them with colored pencils, which brings out the leaves’ textures and patterns.

It’s also fun that you can explore many variations—choosing different leaf shapes and different colored pencils to create a range of effects.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

spinning bagworm

[Craft Idea] Spinning Bagworm ~craft~ (November Autumn) (Wall Decorations) (Senior Recreation/Day Service) (Childcare/Educational) (Origami) (Creative/Psychiatric OT) (Insects/Easy) (Hanging Ornament) (DIY)

spinning bagworm

Here’s how to make a bagworm craft that’s fun to roll up.

First, fold a piece of brown origami paper in half and cut it.

Place the two rectangles side by side horizontally, overlap them slightly, and glue to make one long rectangle.

With the white side facing up, apply glue along one long edge of the rectangle, then gently roll it into a tube, trapping a bit of air, and glue it down.

On the long edge without glue, make many small slits about 1 cm apart.

Apply glue again along the edge you glued earlier, and starting from one end, roll the paper up tightly and glue as you go.

The key is to roll it at a slight diagonal.

Finally, attach eye parts to the bagworm and you’re done.

Adding maple or ginkgo leaves will give it an even more autumnal feel.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Origami dragonfly using scissors

Let’s make a dragonfly—often seen in autumn—using origami.

Prepare origami paper, round stickers, and scissors.

First, fold the origami paper into a triangle twice.

Fold it down along the center line, then unfold to create crease lines.

Make the dragonfly’s body and use scissors to make small cuts—be careful not to cut too much.

Fold to form the wings and the body separately.

Finally, add the eyes with round stickers, and it’s complete! Give it a try.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

A little mushroom with arms and legs

[Autumn Origami] How to fold a little mushroom with arms and legs (with voice-over) ☆ How to make cute mushrooms out of paper / Tatsukuri

A little mushroom with arms and legs

In season for autumn! Here’s a fun idea for a little mushroom character with arms and legs.

When you hear “mushroom,” what comes to mind? Nameko, shiitake, king trumpet (eringi), shimeji—there are so many varieties.

Mushrooms, which often appear at home on the dinner table and in school lunches, are ingredients that are in season in autumn! This time, let’s make a mushroom character with arms and legs using origami.

You’ll need one sheet of origami paper in your favorite color, a quarter-sized piece of origami paper, and a pen.

The key step is creating the mushroom’s rounded shape! Give it a try.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem