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 (11–20)

Acorn balancing toy

[Craft Play 052] How to Make an Acorn Balancing Toy — Cute Yajirobe

Acorn balancing toy

A balancing toy (yajirobee) made from acorns your child eagerly collected is a great two-for-one: it gives you something fun to do after gathering them.

It’s an easy craft—just drill a hole in each acorn and insert a toothpick-like twig.

However, acorns straight from outdoors are quite hard to drill, and they may contain insects, so it’s best for an adult to steam them first using a steamer or similar tool to make the work easier.

Kids can experiment with sizes of the left and right acorns to find good balance, or draw a face on the pivot acorn—it’s a craft that lets them think and create in their own way.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Acorn spinning top

[Craft Play 053] How to Make an Acorn Spinning Top: Colorful Acorn Tops

Acorn spinning top

Let’s make a simple and cute spinning top toy using everyday items.

All you need is acorns you can pick up at parks or along the roadside.

Collect lots of nicely shaped ones and turn them into tops.

To prevent bugs, start by boiling the acorns.

Use an awl to make a hole in the bottom of each acorn and insert a toothpick.

Use colorful markers to draw patterns or characters.

Once the ink is dry, cut the toothpick if it’s too long.

Trim it to a length that spins well.

To make it last and keep the colors from wearing off, spray it with varnish.

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Pacific saury in aluminum foil

[Autumn Craft] Making Pacific saury with aluminum foil + origami cat

Pacific saury in aluminum foil

When talking about the flavors of autumn, Pacific saury is indispensable.

So why not try a craft project making saury using aluminum foil? As you know, saury are characterized by their shiny silver scales.

With aluminum foil, you can recreate that texture quite realistically.

For children who aren’t confident in crafting, I recommend a flat saury made by cutting aluminum foil.

For those who are good at crafting, I suggest a three-dimensional saury made by rolling and shaping aluminum foil.

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Cosmos with sponge stamps

[Craft Activity] Wall Mural Cosmos Made by Dabbing Color with a Sponge

Cosmos with sponge stamps

When it comes to autumn flowers, cosmos come to mind.

How about making vibrant cosmos blossoms with sponge stamping—a craft that even little kids will love? All you need are a paper plate with a cosmos flower shape cut out in the center, white drawing paper for the base, paints, and a sponge.

Simply place the paper plate on the drawing paper and dab the paint-covered sponge over the plate; a beautiful cosmos shape will appear, sure to elicit delighted cheers from the children.

Feel free to let many flowers bloom in all kinds of colors!

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Wool yarn inchworm

[Preschool Craft] Make a Bagworm with Yarn! Perfect for a November Wall Display♪

Wool yarn inchworm

The bagworm’s case, made from collected fallen leaves and twigs, is really unique, isn’t it? If you find a bagworm in the park, kids will probably be fascinated.

Let’s try making a super simple version of a bagworm using yarn.

First, make the bagworm’s face out of construction paper.

Next, to represent the case, cut an oval shape from construction paper and attach the face to it.

Punch holes along the edge of the case, thread yarn through any holes you like, and you’re done! It’s a craft your child will enjoy, wondering how it will turn out.

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hedgehog

[Autumn Craft] With templates! Let’s make three kinds of hedgehogs!

hedgehog

Hedgehogs with prickly spines have autumn colors, so they’re perfect for fall crafts! Cut out the hedgehog’s body and the general mountain shapes of the spines from construction paper.

Add patterns to the spine sections however you like.

For example, you can wrap yarn around so it hooks onto the spines, or randomly glue on finely cut yarn or origami paper.

For the eyes and nose, draw them in with crayons or stick on round stickers.

Adjust the crafting method to suit the children’s ages and give it a try.

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[Childcare] Autumn-Themed Craft Ideas Recommended for November (21–30)

Easy! How to fold a maple leaf

First, fold the origami into a triangle twice and unfold to create an X-shaped set of creases.

Fold the two edges toward the center along the creases you made, then flip it over.

Fold the narrow pointed section up toward the opposite corner along the diagonal, and flip it over again.

Open up the two areas that can be spread into pockets, and fold them toward the center line so the front matches the shape on the back.

Finally, fold and adjust each corner to form a maple leaf shape, and you’re done.

Make lots in different colors and decorate your room!

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