[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 autumn you can use in childcare (1–10)
Autumn Origami: Acorns, Mushrooms, and Fallen Leaves
We’ll make classic autumn items—acorns, mushrooms, and fallen leaves—out of origami! For the acorn, first fold the paper into a triangle twice, then unfold.
Fold one corner toward the center twice.
Flip it over and fold both sides in so they go a little past the center line.
Fold the bottom corner up slightly, and it’s done! Next, for the mushroom, fold the paper into a square twice, then unfold and fold one edge up to the center.
Flip it over and fold both sides toward the center, then fold the bottom up, leaving about 1 cm uncreased at the bottom edge to create a flap.
Fold the corners of that flap inward and open them, then fold all four outer corners in; the mushroom is complete! For the fallen leaf, fold once into a triangle, then make accordion folds from one end and unfold.
Lightly fold along the initial triangle’s crease at a slight diagonal.
Open it up while keeping the diagonal fold section, then round off the corners with small folds; your leaf is finished!
Halloween ghost
Speaking of autumn, Halloween is a favorite among children.
How about making ghosts that even one-year-olds can enjoy? Prepare the parts for the ghosts—eyes, mouth, hands, and so on—in advance, and put double-sided tape on the back.
First, attach a sponge to the end of a chopstick and secure it with a rubber band.
Dab white paint on the sponge and use it to draw big ghosts on black construction paper.
Next, peel the backing off the tape on the parts and hand them to the children so they can stick them on.
It’s best to let them be as free as they like, both when drawing the ghosts and when placing the parts.
You’ll end up with wonderfully unique and adorable ghosts!
Bubbly little mushroom
Let’s use the bubble wrap lying around at home to make autumn-themed mushroom decorations! Draw the shapes you want on construction paper or cardstock and cut them out.
Then cut the bubble wrap to match those shapes and glue it on top.
After that, use permanent markers to color the bubble wrap.
You’ll create decorations that feel fresh thanks to bubble wrap’s unique texture.
Coloring the bubble wrap is also a sensory experience you don’t usually get, so kids are sure to enjoy it.
It’s a great craft that puts bubble wrap—often thrown away or hard to repurpose—to good use!
[October] Useful for childcare! Introducing autumn craft ideas (11–20)
A hedgehog made with masking tape
Let’s make a colorful, cute hedgehog using washi tape! First, cut out a hedgehog shape from construction paper.
Depending on the children’s ages, the teacher can handle this part, or draw guide lines and have the children do the cutting themselves.
Once you’ve cut out the hedgehog shape, simply stick strips of washi tape in various colors and patterns randomly over the area where the hedgehog’s spines would be—and you’re done! You’ll have a very stylish hedgehog with spines in all sorts of patterns.
The autumn-colored caterpillar
Speaking of caterpillars, we usually think of green ones, but caterpillars dressed in autumn colors are adorable too.
Let’s make a version of the beloved children’s book character, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, using fall foliage colors.
On a sheet of white construction paper, you’ll stamp circles—but the stamp is a blown-up balloon.
Mix a few paints in your favorite autumn shades, press the balloon lightly into the paint, then dab and twist it on the paper to make circles.
Even two-year-olds can have fun bouncing the balloon to stamp! Cut out the circles, add a face, and it’s complete.
Pumpkin bag
When you think of Halloween, isn’t a pumpkin the first design that comes to mind? All you have to do is evenly cut colored paper with double-sided tape attached and stick the pieces along the curve of a paper cup, so even small children can make it easily.
Older children can draw designs on the paper or change the colors to create their own original pumpkins, which is fun too.
Also, after using it as a treat bag, it looks cute as interior decor, making it a bag that preserves Halloween memories.
A ghost popping out of a paper cup
Let’s make a ghost toy that’s perfect for Halloween! First, poke a hole in a paper cup big enough for a straw to pass through.
Next, cut off the handles of a plastic grocery bag and draw a ghost face on it with a pen.
After drawing the face, insert a straw about halfway into the bag and seal the bag’s opening tightly.
Thread the other end of the straw (the side not inside the bag) through the hole in the paper cup, then tuck the bag portion into the cup—done! When you blow into the straw, the ghost pops out of the paper cup.