Get kids excited in November! A collection of play and craft ideas using autumn’s natural treasures

[Production] Wall art using natural materials

[Preschool Craft Play♪] We lined up the acorns and leaves we found on our walk ✨ A fun “wall art” where everyone’s is different

Let’s display the treasures you found on your walk! Here are some ideas for wall art made from natural materials.

You’ll need natural items you picked up outside, craft glue, scissors, tape, jute twine, cardboard, colored cardboard, and lacquer spray.

First, add a border to the cardboard using the colored cardboard.

Next, spread craft glue over the entire cardboard surface and attach twigs and leaves.

Once you’ve finished attaching them, let the glue dry thoroughly.

Finally, punch holes in the cardboard, thread the jute twine through, and you’re done!

[Exercise Play] Thorough Tunnel!

Childcare Magazine “Monthly Hiroba,” November 2020 Issue: “It’s Time for Movement Play!”

Let’s play by crawling through! Here are some ideas for all-out tunnel fun.

First, try crawling between a parent’s or teacher’s legs.

Can you make it through without bumping into anything? Next, enjoy different kinds of tunnels using your body, like tunnels made with arms or with someone kneeling on one knee.

Once you get used to it, have the children hold hands to make tunnels or crawl between each other’s legs! You’re sure to see lots of smiles.

A whole day of tunnel play sounds like so much fun! Give it a try.

[Physical Activity] Long Rope Jumping Game

Hiroba November Issue: “It’s Exercise Playtime!” Long Rope Play!

Autumn is the season for exercise! Let’s get moving with a long jump rope! Here are some ideas for long-rope play.

Pretend the long rope is a slithering snake.

First, keep the rope still and have the kids step over the “sleeping” snake.

Next, wiggle the rope like a snake and have them jump over it as they cross.

Then lift the rope about 10 centimeters to make it a snake climbing a tree, and have them either jump over it or crawl under it.

It’ll be great fun to enjoy exercise with the kids as they move their whole bodies and try to escape from the snake!

Chitose-ame bag made with orizome (fold-dyeing)

In November, there’s the Shichi-Go-San celebration.

Many children probably go to shrines wearing kimono, don’t they? An essential part of Shichi-Go-San is chitose-ame (thousand-year candy).

It’s a celebratory sweet that carries the wish for children to be healthy and live long lives.

So for a November craft, how about making a chitose-ame bag? This idea uses washi paper fold-dyeing, so kids will enjoy it.

Dye washi paper with your favorite colors, then attach it to a bag made from construction paper, and decorate it festively with gold origami and flowers.

Finally, write the characters for “Shichi-Go-San” to finish! Try making your very own chitose-ame bag.

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sasashina

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Making sweets with autumn nature

How about making some cute sweets packed with autumn charm? Use paper clay to shape donuts, fill cups, and form whatever kinds of sweets you want.

Then decorate them with natural items like acorns and nuts you’ve collected, and you’re done.

Adding beads or marbles will make the sweets even more colorful and festive.

You can display your finished sweets, or use them for pretend play—like make-believe cooking or running a cake shop—which sounds fun, too.

Preserve the memories of collecting acorns with your children by turning them into lovely creations.

Because small children might put acorns or nuts in their mouths, this activity is recommended for kids ages 3 and up.

Autumn of art, drawing freely

We often have many chances to draw, don’t we? Here’s an idea that lets you feel the autumn season.

First, draw freely—finger painting or techniques like decalcomania are perfectly fine.

Mount the finished artwork on brown construction paper so it looks like it’s in a frame.

Then, add cutouts of children made from construction paper to make it look like the kids are drawing.

Finally, decorate with fallen leaves and other autumn items, and you’re done.

It will give off a perfect “autumn of the arts” vibe.

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[Production] Making masks with leaves

Perfect for the art-filled autumn season! Here’s an idea for making masks out of leaves.

You’ll need fallen leaves, a permanent marker, a white paint pen, and scissors.

First, go outside and pick leaves in shapes you like.

Larger leaves are easier to work with.

Next, cut out holes for the eyes.

Mark the spots with a permanent marker to make cutting easier.

Finally, draw patterns on the leaf with the pens, and you’re done.

Adding animal whiskers or a mane could be fun, too.

Give it a try!