Lovely childcare

[October] Craft ideas for fall you can use in childcare

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.

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.

[October] Useful for childcare! Introducing autumn craft ideas (21–30)

Great for moon viewing! Pampas grass origami

How to Make Autumn Origami: Easy and Cute Silver Grass Origami (For Kids!) · Origami Silver Grass – Easy

Great for moon viewing! Pampas grass origami

Perfect for the Night of the Thirteenth Moon! Want to make pampas grass with origami? Prepare a 15×7.5 cm sheet of origami paper.

First, fold it in half lengthwise, matching the top and bottom edges—repeat this step three times to make a long, narrow strip.

Next, place the paper vertically, fold it in half top to bottom, and crease well.

Cut a vertical slit along one of the existing fold lines on either the left or right.

Then, take the top of the bundle that’s separated by the slit and fold it 90 degrees to the right.

Open the base to give the ears some dimension, then change the angle and fold the remaining sections diagonally.

Offset the overlapping ears and adjust the shape, and your pampas grass is complete.

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Cute dragonfly origami

[Origami] Dragonfly - Cute How to Make It - Easy Origami - A Not-Difficult Folding Method Kids Can Do - Autumn Origami - Origami for September, October, and November [Origami]

Cute dragonfly origami

Let’s make a red dragonfly out of origami, which you often see in November.

Prepare two sheets of origami paper and make the body and wings as separate parts.

For the body, fold the paper horizontally toward the center in half three times to shape it.

For the wings, make a crease by folding in half, then fold both sides toward the center line and round the corners by folding them in.

Finally, apply glue to the entire body piece, sandwich the wings in between, and press to attach—done! The steps are simple, so this is a recommended folding project for preschool-aged children.

Give it a try!

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Cute, freshly baked sweet potato

How to Make Autumn Origami: Easy and Cute Steaming Baked Sweet Potato, Sweet Potato Origami (Kid-Friendly!) • Origami Sweet Potato – Easy

Cute, freshly baked sweet potato

Let’s fold an autumn treat—sweet potatoes—using a single sheet of origami paper.

As you fold, be sure to make crisp creases.

By freely adjusting the angles, each person’s sweet potato will have its own unique shape, making it even more fun when you finish.

For the white areas, it’s recommended to add color using crayons or paint.

Fold in the corners to give your sweet potato a plump, rounded shape.

It could be fun to display them on an autumn-themed wall, or put them in a basket or bag and use them for pretend shopping play.

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Cute little squirrel!

Little Squirrel 🐿️ #origami #paperfolding #paperart #papercraft #nurseryteacher #kidscraft #100yenstore #athomeplay

Cute little squirrel!

A squirrel you can make from a single sheet of origami—also great for November wall displays—is a perfect craft for preschoolers.

Fold the paper into a triangle, then fold up the left and right sides to form a cup shape.

After folding down the tip of the paper, create the squirrel’s belly.

For the tail, make horizontal snips into the flappy triangular part of the paper.

Be careful not to cut all the way through.

Draw the face to finish.

To give the tail a fluffy look, you might curl it with a ballpoint pen to add some movement.

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Ginkgo hanging ornament

[Easy ✨ Origami] Ginkgo Hanging Decoration 🍁 Enjoy Autumn Leaves Indoors [How to Make] Autumn Wall Decoration 🍂 Ginkgo DIY — How to make a paper ginkgo biloba leaf, paper craft

Ginkgo hanging ornament

Ginkgo decorations, which are very popular as autumn ornaments, add a warm touch to any room.

Prepare origami paper, string, double-sided tape, and a stapler, then let’s get started.

Fold the origami paper in half horizontally three times, aligning with the center line, then unfold it completely.

Flip the paper front and back as you make an accordion fold.

Trim the corners to create a rounded shape, fold it in half toward the center, and staple the bottom.

Finally, stick the center together with double-sided tape to finish.

Attach them to a string to make hanging garlands, or decorate walls and other spaces—have fun creating!

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