Lovely childcare

September: Autumn crafts! Ideas 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.

In September, when the season gradually shifts from the hot summer to autumn, there are many chances to feel the change of seasons through nature and living creatures.

This is a must-read for teachers at daycare centers and kindergartens who are thinking, “We want to incorporate crafts that let children feel autumn!”

Here are some recommended craft ideas for September.

We’ve gathered a wide range of ideas—from those that incorporate familiar autumn elements for children such as fallen leaves and acorns, to ones that use unique techniques that stimulate the five senses.

With a bit of adaptation, these activities can be enjoyed by children from infants to the oldest kindergarteners, so please make good use of them.

Since we emphasize project ideas that make the most of children’s free imagination, we use the term “制作 (seisaku: creation/production)” rather than “製作 (seisaku: craft/production)” in the text.

[September] Autumn crafts! Introducing ideas useful for childcare (81–90)

Acorn in origami

[Preschool Craft] Autumn Project! Acorns with Origami ♪ | Origami Cute Acorns

Acorn in origami

Acorns are one of the familiar parts of autumn nature for children—they find them among fallen leaves, collect lots of them, and use them for pretend play.

Let’s try expressing the autumn mood by making acorns with origami.

First, fold the origami paper in half into a square, then open it and fold the bottom edge up toward the crease.

Flip it over, fold it in half, and open it, then fold both sides in toward the crease.

Finally, fold in the four corners to resemble an acorn shape, and you’re done.

Make lots and decorate your room with them!

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three-dimensional bagworm

[Origami] Bagworm – Easy folding method, how to make a 3D version, autumn origami that kids as young as 3 can make, instructions children can follow, origami for September, October, and November [Origami]

three-dimensional bagworm

Here’s an autumn-themed bagworm craft that captures the feeling of the season.

Prepare three sheets of origami paper and let’s get started.

For the bagworm’s face, fold one sheet into a triangle to make a crease.

Open it, then fold the corners toward the center line.

Fold again along the creases and flip it over.

Match the corners to shape the bagworm’s face.

For the “mino” (the bag/casing), the key is opening the mouth of the pouch.

If it’s difficult, have an adult help.

Make two of these in the same way, then glue them together to complete the bag/casing.

Finally, glue the casing and the body together to finish.

Draw a face to create your own cute, original bagworm.

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Perfect for decorations! How to fold a dragonfly

[Autumn Origami] Easy☆How to Fold a Dragonfly [Origami] Simple Insect Origami

Perfect for decorations! How to fold a dragonfly

When it comes to symbols of autumn in Japan, dragonflies come to mind, don’t they? This time, let’s introduce a dragonfly made of origami that’s perfect for autumn crafts.

Prepare two sheets of origami paper, some eyes, and a felt-tip pen, and let’s get started.

For the dragonfly’s body, make creases vertically and horizontally, then fold toward the center line to form a square shape.

When puffing up and shaping parts of the origami, the key is to use your fingertips as you fold.

Next, prepare the remaining sheet of origami to make the wings.

For the sections where you open the paper outward while folding it down, take your time and fold carefully.

Glue the body and wings together, then adjust the body’s shape at the end.

Attach the eyes, and it’s complete.

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Mushrooms in bleeding watercolor

Daycare Craft: Mushroom Art! A Preschool Craft Activity Starting from Age 1!

Mushrooms in bleeding watercolor

Let’s use wet-on-wet painting to make cute mushrooms for the autumn season.

We’ll start with the stem.

Apply glue all over a sheet of origami paper and attach it to a toilet paper roll.

Fold and glue the excess at the top and bottom inward.

Next, use a coffee filter to make the cap.

Draw patterns on the coffee filter with water-based markers, then mist it with water.

Once it’s dry, firmly glue the stem and cap together.

Your mushroom is complete! Be sure to spray enough water so the ink bleeds nicely.

Prepare several colors of water-based markers and let the children choose their favorites.

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stylish tree

Perfect for the art-filled days of autumn! Here’s a stylish, artistic tree-making idea.

It’s a creative activity that draws out children’s free imagination, so why not try it at your nursery or kindergarten? The teacher cuts construction paper into leaf shapes, and the children freely color them with crayons or paint.

Next, tear craft paper (or similar) into branch and trunk shapes and glue them on.

Finish by arranging the colored leaves you made earlier.

If you have time, you can add a stamping activity using various recycled materials—kids will love it.

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Moon-viewing tanuki

Children are thrilled by the raccoons’ many different expressions! These wall decorations feature tanuki, which often appear in traditional Japanese folktales.

Pre-cut parts from colored construction paper—faces, bodies, tails, eyes, and so on—and let the children glue the pieces together.

They can work with the teacher, place the parts wherever they like, or even try the gluing from start to finish on their own—adjust the tasks to suit each child.

Just changing the eye placement or the balance between the face and body makes every raccoon wonderfully unique! Pair them with motifs like the moon or dango dumplings to add an even more autumnal feel.

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[September] Autumn crafts! Ideas you can use in childcare (91–100)

Moon-viewing craft

Let’s create a craft themed around moon viewing (Otsukimi).

Prepare dark blue construction paper to represent a night sky with the moon.

Arrange pictures of the moon, rabbits, and moon-viewing rice dumplings (dango) on it.

You can draw each element, or you can make them with origami and glue them on—both are great options.

For the dango, you can also line up small balls made from crumpled tissue paper.

For the moon, try a collage style using torn pieces of origami or tissue paper, or make a stylish moon by cutting a circle from construction paper and adding color with marbling techniques.

Adjust the methods and techniques to suit the children’s ages.

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