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] Fall crafts! Introducing ideas you can use in childcare (1–10)

Autumn trees with a stamp

[Nursery Teacher] Autumn Leaves and Christmas! Painting with Dabbers ✨ [Daycare/Kindergarten]

Autumn trees with a stamp

An autumn tree painted with a handmade tampo is a craft that lets children enjoy paint in a different way than usual.

The tampo itself is easy to make—even for small children—by simply attaching cotton and gauze to a small container like a plastic bottle.

The unique patterns and soft hues created by the cotton and gauze will spark children’s imaginations and keep them absorbed in the activity.

It’s a great idea for an autumn craft—simple and satisfying, since all you do is press it onto the paper.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Autumn Origami: Acorns, Mushrooms, and Fallen Leaves

Let's fold seasonal origami♪ Acorns, mushrooms, and fallen leaves

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!

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Fallen leaves with spray paint

Leaves that change color from the lush greens of summer to shades of red and brown.

Those changed leaves eventually fall, tinting the paths with autumn hues.

Let’s recreate those fallen leaves using paint spray! Just dissolve paint in water, pour it into a spray bottle, and you’re ready.

Then spritz it onto paper towels to add color.

Once the colors dry, cut them into leaf shapes, and, if you like, add eyes or decorations with round stickers.

You’ll have bright, adorable fall leaves! Depending on the children’s ages, it may be best for the teacher to handle the prep up to filling the spray bottles with paint.

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[September] Fall crafts! Ideas you can use in childcare (11–20)

Grapes made from toilet paper rolls

[Nursery Craft] Grape Craft: How to Make a 3D Version with Origami!

Grapes made from toilet paper rolls

This is a 3D grape craft made using toilet paper rolls.

Cut the cardboard tube into three equal rings, apply double-sided tape to the sides, and stick them together in the shape of a grape cluster.

After attaching the grapes to a construction paper base that looks like a plate, crumple light green and purple origami paper and insert them into each circular ring.

Finally, cut origami paper into a T shape to make the stem and attach it to complete the grapes.

If using scissors is difficult for a child, prepare the ring frames in advance and have them take charge of crumpling and inserting the grape “berries.”

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Peekaboo Rabbit’s Moon Viewing

How about trying a craft that depicts a rabbit enjoying moon viewing? Arrange a rabbit, moon-viewing dumplings, and the moon on dark blue construction paper.

You can cut them out of paper, paint them with paints, or use sponge daubers to add color—any of these are recommended.

If you punch a slightly larger round hole in part of the paper and layer small pieces of tissue paper over it, the piece will glow beautifully like a real moon when you hold it up to a light.

Adjust the steps or modify the method to suit the children’s ages, and enjoy making it together.

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Autumn wreath

[Autumn Craft for Ages 2–3] A Preschool Teacher’s Easy Guide to Making a Wreath with Nuts and Seeds!

Autumn wreath

In autumn, it’s common to go on walks to the park with everyone from the daycare and enjoy collecting acorns, pinecones, and other nuts! Let’s use those natural finds to make a cute wreath.

Use a craft knife to cut a circle out of cardboard to create the wreath shape.

It might be best for teachers or guardians to prepare this step.

Have the children glue on materials like nuts, pipe cleaners, and pom-poms! Enjoy displaying the wreaths in the room or around the daycare.

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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.

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