September: Autumn crafts! Ideas you can use in childcare
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.
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[September] Fall crafts! Ideas you can use in childcare (111–120)
Rabbit moon-viewing with footprint stamps
One of the events in September is the Mid-Autumn Moon Viewing (Tsukimi).
Picture the round, beautiful moon; the rabbit said to live on the moon—an essential character for Tsukimi; and the round, delicious moon-viewing dumplings.
How about making a “moon-viewing rabbit” that brings this scene to life? For the rabbit’s ears, use the children’s footprints.
Painting the bottoms of their feet will probably feel a bit strange, but that’s part of the fun.
Cut out the footprint stamps, paste them onto construction paper of the same color, and draw the rabbit’s face.
Grapes with balloon stamps
This is a grape craft using balloons that kids love.
Inflate a balloon, dip it in paint, and stamp to create grape shapes.
Once the paint dries, cut out the grape shapes and attach a paper leaf and stem to finish.
It’s best to use the paint without thinning it so the color goes on well.
You can use just one color, but using multiple colors like purple, navy, and pink will make the result more vibrant and three-dimensional.
Inflate the balloons only a little so they’re easy for children to hold.
Pop-out roasted sweet potato
A unique craft idea features a roasted sweet potato popping out from a campfire.
You can make the mechanism using two paper cups and twine.
Since the mechanism involves making holes, it’s best for the teacher to handle that part.
The children can draw campfires and roasted sweet potatoes on the cups, or cut and create them with origami! It’s really fun to pull the string and see a piping hot sweet potato pop out from the campfire, and the kids will likely be absorbed in playing with it.
You can also stack three or more paper cups, or adapt the design with seasonal motifs for even more fun!
Moon-Viewing Dumplings Made with Paper Clay (for 1-year-olds)
How about having the one-year-olds try making moon-viewing dango out of paper clay? Since paper clay has a bit of weight to it, it’s recommended to make the sanpō (the tray for the dango) from sturdy materials like milk cartons or thick paper.
Teachers can prepare the sanpō in advance, and the children can roll the paper clay into balls and place them on top.
Don’t set any particular rules about how to arrange them—let the children place the dango freely.
Please be careful to ensure the children don’t put the paper-clay dango in their mouths.
[Origami] 3D Roasted Sweet Potato
![[Origami] 3D Roasted Sweet Potato](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/fNbQa7zoVxY/sddefault.jpg)
This is a craft project for making a fluffy, comforting roasted sweet potato—perfect for autumn through winter! Tear a purple sheet of origami paper (for the skin) in half along the diagonal, then crumple each piece to add wrinkles.
Take a yellow sheet (for the inside), crumple it as is to create texture, then wrap it around a balled-up tissue and shape it like a potato.
Wrap this inner piece with the pre-torn purple paper and secure it with clear tape.
You’ll have a delicious-looking roasted sweet potato that looks just like a freshly cooked one split in half! It would be great for pretend play as a roasted sweet potato vendor, too.
Grandparents’ Day Portrait Origami
This portrait origami is perfect for making crafts for Respect for the Aged Day in September.
Try creating designs inspired by grandpa’s and grandma’s faces! It also makes a great handmade present from children to their grandparents, so why not introduce it in childcare settings? The trickiest part when making the face is the ears.
Since they require some fine folding, take your time and make firm creases.
You can also tear a separate sheet of origami paper and paste it on for the hairstyle.
Finish by drawing in the facial features, and you’re done.
If you’re unsure what to make for Respect for the Aged Day, this easy, approachable portrait origami is highly recommended.
Painting of a fox and wild grapes
Let’s enjoy creating a painting with an autumn feel, using foxes and wild grapes as motifs! The grapes are made with finger stamping, and the fox is expressed with origami.
While it’s suitable for five-year-olds, why not start each child from the steps they can manage? Using pipe cleaners for the grape vines gives a realistic look, so definitely give it a try.
Through this activity, children can not only experience the season, but also learn about wild grapes in nature, which are a bit different from regular grapes!