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] Autumn crafts! Introducing ideas useful for childcare (121–130)
cotton-ball mushroom
Introducing a mushroom craft made with cotton balls—its three-dimensional, colorful pattern is super cute! First, cut out the mushroom cap and stem from construction paper.
Depending on the children’s ages, the teacher should prepare the cutouts in advance.
Next, glue cotton balls in your favorite colors onto the cap, using as many as you like and arranging them however you prefer.
Finally, combine the cap with the paper stem, and you’re done! Mix and match different colored cotton balls to make it even more vibrant.
Moon viewing with tampos
Let’s work on a Moon-Viewing (Otsukimi) craft using tampo stampers.
For the inside of the tampo, use absorbent cotton or a sponge.
Wrap the filling with a towel or gauze and secure it with a rubber band.
If you also wrap rubber bands around the handle, it will be easier for children to hold.
Next, cut brown construction paper into the shape of a sanpo (offering stand) and paste it onto navy or black construction paper.
Draw pampas grass around it with crayons, and now it’s time for the tampo! Use white paint to stamp on top of the sanpo to represent rice dumplings (dango).
Many children may not know what stacked dango look like, so showing a sample beforehand helps things go smoothly.
Once the dango are done, use yellow paint and the tampo to create a full moon.
Your uniquely expressive Moon-Viewing craft is complete!
Mont Blanc production
When it comes to popular sweets made with chestnuts that are in season in autumn, Mont Blanc comes to mind.
Let’s make a crafty version of Mont Blanc to enjoy the flavors of fall.
Prepare beige-colored yarn and cut it into small pieces.
Randomly glue the cut yarn onto a piece of construction paper cut into a rounded shape, and you’ll have the form of a Mont Blanc.
Then make the dish and decorative chestnuts out of construction paper or origami, combine everything, and your Mont Blanc is complete! Try using it as part of a wall display, too.
A dragonfly made from rolled origami
Why not enjoy autumn by making a semi-3D dragonfly using origami and construction paper? First, draw your favorite patterns with crayons on construction paper cut into dragonfly wing shapes.
Next, attach the wings to a long, thin strip of construction paper.
Fold a sheet of origami paper in half, then cut along the crease.
Fold again into strips a few centimeters wide and cut them out.
After cutting several colors of origami paper, roll each piece and glue it to hold its shape.
Finally, arrange and glue the rolled origami pieces onto the dragonfly’s body section, add the eye parts, and you’re done! Try making colorful dragonflies with the kids.
[September] Autumn crafts! Ideas you can use in childcare (131–140)
Colorful dragonflies with your favorite origami
Let’s all have fun making colorful dragonflies.
First, take two long, narrow origami sheets and make one set; prepare two sets in total.
Origami with patterns will give you a nicer finish.
Next, glue the origami sheets together in an X shape.
Then, attach the origami (as the wings) and the eyes to the dragonfly’s body made from construction paper.
Since the areas to glue aren’t very small, it’s perfect for practicing gluing.
Finally, stick the dragonfly onto a background in autumn colors and make it look like it’s flying, and you’re done! I can’t wait to see how they turn out.
Handmade pampas grass
Let’s try making pampas grass—one of the motifs that evokes autumn—by hand using colored construction paper.
Take a rectangular sheet and make fine cuts with scissors, leaving a margin so it doesn’t fall apart, then roll it to form the feathery head.
For the stem, roll another piece without making any cuts and secure it with cellophane tape.
Attach the head to the stem, then place it into a tube made by wrapping colored paper around a toilet paper core.
Paired with the moon and rice dumplings, you’ll have pampas grass that’s perfect for the Harvest Moon (Jūgoya)!
A fingerprint stamp painting of autumn delicacy apples
How about some autumn-themed art using children’s handprints? Let’s make apples by stamping with handprints to celebrate the flavors of fall! First, use a sheet of construction paper as the base, imagining it as a basket.
Paint red on the palm and green on the middle finger, then press to stamp.
Not only red apples—stamping in yellow-green or yellow, and adding leaves or seeds, will look adorable too! You can also add a little green caterpillar with fingertip stamps—there are so many fun possibilities depending on your ideas.
Children will enjoy making this, so give it a try in your childcare setting!
