[October] Craft ideas for fall you can use in childcare
October is when you can feel autumn even more strongly, thanks to changes in nature and the climate.
This is a must-read for teachers who are thinking, “I want to enjoy autumn-specific crafts with the children!”
Here we introduce craft ideas perfect for October.
You’ll find a wide range of ideas: themes inspired by Halloween such as ghosts and pumpkins; and themes that feature autumn-only natural items and seasonal tastes like fallen leaves, acorns, mushrooms, and grapes.
We also introduce techniques that stimulate children’s five senses and curiosity, as well as fun ways to use materials that greatly expand their imaginative world—please use them for inspiration.
Because we focus on ideas for creating works that allow children to freely express their individuality, we use the term “制作 (seisaku)” as “creation” or “craft” in the text.
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[October] Craft ideas for fall that you can use in childcare (91–100)
Grape craft for ages 1 and up
@hoikushisatomi From around age 1: Just roll and pop it in! Simple fine-motor play craftNursery teacher / Childcare workerKids will love it#NurseryTeacherDailyLifework#OuchiMonteTranslation#grapes
♬ Whistling you want to go for a walk – Ken Nakagawa
A cute bunch of grapes that’s finished by crumpling tissue paper, putting it into a bag, and shaping it.
Change the color and you’ve got muscat grapes, too.
Cut grape leaves out of construction paper and stick them on.
Using tissue paper in the same color family with different shades will make it look even more vibrant.
Once it’s done, you can display it as is to enjoy an autumn mood, or stick it on the wall and have a grape-picking game.
Since the tissue paper gets packed into the bag, it doesn’t need to be perfectly crumpled.
Let the kids enjoy the feel of the tissue paper while they work on it.
How to fold an easy cosmos flower

Let’s introduce how to fold a cosmos flower.
Prepare one sheet of origami paper, crease it, and cut it into four equal parts.
Using the creases as a guide, shape each quarter into a cosmos petal.
Once all are folded, glue the four petals together at the center.
For the stem, prepare another quarter sheet of origami paper and fold it along the center.
Finally, glue the flower and the stem together, and you’re done! The steps are simple, so give it a try.
How to fold a cute persimmon

The plump, round shape is so charming! Here are some cute ideas for folding a persimmon.
As a seasonal fruit, you might have chances to eat persimmons at school or at home.
It could be fun to link the craft with the day’s menu.
This time, let’s make an adorable persimmon out of origami! You’ll need one sheet of orange origami paper, a quarter-size piece of green origami paper, glue, and a pen or crayon.
Since the origami is small at a quarter size and the step for making the calyx is a bit tricky, it’s reassuring to try it together with a teacher or guardian.
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.
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.
Maron-chan with arms and legs

Let’s make Chestnut Maron-chan! Here are some ideas for a Maron-chan with arms and legs.
Autumn brings all kinds of nuts and seeds—acorns, horse chestnuts, pine cones, walnuts, and more.
Activities that help children learn about these natural treasures sound fun too, don’t they? This time, among the many kinds of nuts and seeds, why not make Chestnut Maron-chan out of origami? You’ll need one sheet of origami paper, one quarter-size sheet of origami paper, and a pen.
With arms and legs, Chestnut Maron-chan looks so cute!
A maple leaf made from a single sheet of origami paper

Papercutting fun! We’re introducing an idea for making a maple leaf out of a single sheet of origami paper.
When you go for autumn walks or outings, you may have chances to see maples turning color.
Let’s make a maple leaf from origami so you can enjoy the arrival of autumn indoors too.
You’ll need one sheet of origami paper, a template, and scissors.
The video shows two patterns, so choose the one that suits your activity.
Also, cutting through layered origami with scissors requires strength, so take it easy and don’t push yourself.


