![[Childcare] Perfect for October! Autumn crafts to enjoy with 5-year-olds](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/36RLhuLGFXE/maxresdefault.webp)
[Childcare] Perfect for October! Autumn crafts to enjoy with 5-year-olds
October is packed with events like sports day, field trips, and Halloween.
Some five-year-olds will also be celebrating Shichi-Go-San.
How about making some lovely crafts to help children enjoy October even more? We’ve gathered ideas themed around these events, as well as ones kids can use on the day itself.
We’ve also included craft ideas with slightly more complex steps that five-year-olds can handle.
It would be great if they could take a few days and work on them until they’re satisfied.
Since items made by children are treated as works, we use the term “seisaku” (production) in the text.
[Preschool] Perfect for October! Autumn Crafts to Enjoy with 5-Year-Olds (1–10)
Grape hanging ornament
Let’s make a hanging grape decoration to celebrate autumn using ring chains.
Prepare the origami paper by cutting it into long, thin strips ahead of time.
For five-year-olds, give them origami with guide lines drawn so they can cut it themselves.
From the left, connect three columns of rings so they form 4, 6, and 4 rings vertically.
Then, thread another strip of origami through the top ring of each column to gather them into a single bunch of grapes.
Make several grape bunches, string them onto a cord, and your hanging grape decoration is complete.
Adding leaves will make them look even more like grapes.
3D Halloween basket
Let’s use the papier-mâché technique to make a basket that’s perfect for Halloween.
You can also use it as a lantern, so it’s great as a party decoration too.
First, tear construction paper into suitable sizes, crumple it to soften, then unfold it.
Use glue to cover the entire surface of a balloon with the pieces, and then stick on the facial features on top.
Once it’s dry, pop the balloon and remove it, then trim the mouth opening with scissors to neaten it.
Finally, attach a handle and you’re done.
Try using construction paper in various colors for a fun, pop finish!
witch’s hat
The “witch’s hat” made with construction paper and ribbon is a great craft for Halloween.
Since you’ll need tools like a hole punch, it’s important to make it together with the children under a teacher’s guidance.
The main part of the project is punching symmetrical holes in a fan-shaped piece of construction paper and threading ribbon through the holes.
Threading the ribbon takes a bit of practice, so please watch over the children until they get the hang of it! Using not only black but also Halloween colors or patterned paper will make the hats even more fun.
For five-year-olds, making their very own hat is a form of self-expression, and proudly showing off the finished piece can help build their confidence.
Tear and paint! The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Here’s a painting idea inspired by the butterfly from the popular picture book The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
First, tear newspaper into thin strips and color them with paint.
You can use any colors, but since the butterfly in The Very Hungry Caterpillar is very vibrant, using a variety of colors will help capture the look.
Once the paint is dry, stick the strips onto a backing sheet to form butterfly wings, and attach the body and eye pieces as well.
Finally, add decorative pieces made from silver paper to finish.
There aren’t too many parts, so be sure to have the kids help with the cutting.
Bagworm Kendama
The “Bagworm Kendama” craft is perfect for enjoying the autumn season! First, prepare some twine, construction paper cut into leaf and eye shapes, and let the children have fun coloring and drawing on them.
Next, use a paper cup as the body and attach the leaves and eyes to create the bagworm shape.
Then, make the kendama’s ball by crumpling newspaper into a ball and wrapping it with vinyl tape or similar.
Because there are many steps, it’s best not to try to finish in one day—take a few days to work on it carefully! It’s a flexible project where you can experiment with the size of the paper cup and the length of the twine, so it’s highly recommended for 5-year-olds to try as well!
Rocket manufacturing
Let’s make a rocket you’ll want to take on outdoor adventures! Tie two rubber bands together and tape the knot to the middle of a sheet of newspaper so the bands extend out from both sides.
Roll the newspaper tightly into a thin tube and secure it with tape, then wrap colored tape around it to decorate.
Attach a straw, about 10 cm long, to the end of the rubber bands to complete the launcher.
For the rocket, cover a toilet paper tube with origami paper and add fins and window parts made from construction paper.
Hook the rocket onto the straw, pull it back firmly, and release—your rocket will launch using the rubber bands’ snapping force!
Dragonfly’s glasses
Creating “dragonfly glasses” together with five-year-olds is a fun way to build their cutting skills with scissors! Use easy-to-find materials like colored clear folders and colored cellophane.
Add colorful patterns drawn with permanent markers and sparkling stickers to design unique dragonfly wings! Cutting the clear folders—something they don’t usually use—will feel fresh and exciting.
Plus, by using colored cellophane for the see-through lens parts, children can enjoy viewing a colorful world through their dragonfly glasses even after they’re done.
Even the slightly challenging steps can be rewarding when they try them together with the teacher!