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 (11–20)
A crown made of fallen leaves
We all want children to have plenty of opportunities to connect with nature.
So why not make cute crowns using fallen leaves collected in the playground or on walks outside? Beforehand, cut a sheet of copier paper lengthwise into three equal strips and tape two of the strips together to prepare the base.
Then, have the children attach their favorite leaves to the base with tape or similar; it makes a lovely crown.
To finish, roll it into a ring and staple it closed, making sure the points of the staples face outward.
Full moon rabbit made from a single sheet of origami
Perfect for moon-viewing events! Here’s an idea for a full-moon rabbit made from a single sheet of origami paper.
Autumn is the season for tsukimi (moon viewing), right? Some of you might prepare pampas grass and moon-viewing dumplings at school or at home and enjoy the beautiful moon.
This time, let’s make a full-moon rabbit that’s just right for such an event.
What you’ll need: yellow origami paper, scissors, glue, and a pen.
Some steps are a bit tricky, so it’s best to work together with a parent or teacher for safety and ease.
Be sure to give it a try on this occasion!
Autumn leaves with newspaper stamping
Beautifully colored autumn leaves.
Let’s try expressing those subtle shades by making stamps out of newspaper.
Cut the newspaper into a suitable size and crumple it to make your stamp.
A nice thing about newspaper stamps is that you can easily adjust them to fit children’s hands and make them easy to press.
On white drawing paper, mix two or three colors of paint and dab the stamp randomly.
Once you’ve stamped the entire sheet, cut it into leaf shapes.
You can add little insect-nibbled holes, string them together like a garland, and try all sorts of creative ideas.
Silver grass for moon viewing
Here’s how to make pampas grass, an essential decoration for the night of the Harvest Moon.
Fold the origami paper in half horizontally twice.
Cut off about a quarter of the width with scissors, then open the paper.
Starting from a corner, roll the paper diagonally.
Secure the handle area with tape, and you’re done.
The key is to roll it tightly so there are no gaps.
Pampas grass symbolizes wishes for a good harvest, and its leaves are also believed to ward off evil.
Give it a try and enjoy the autumn atmosphere!
Cute! Horsetail Origami
Let’s make a cute horsetail (tsukushi) using 15×7.5 cm origami paper.
First, place the white side of the paper facing up and fold it into a square by bringing the top and bottom edges together.
Open it once the crease is made, then fold the bottom edge up to meet the crease.
Rotate the paper 90 degrees to the right and turn it over, then fold the top and bottom edges inward to make it into thirds.
Create the hakama (pleated trousers) look by making two step folds (valley–mountain) on the white section, then fold the top and bottom inward toward the center.
At this point, it’s easier if you squash-fold the right corner into a triangle.
Finally, fold all four corners of the brown section inward, and you’re done.
Let’s make a bagworm wreath!
https://www.tiktok.com/@levwell_hoikushi/video/7553510974704209173Let’s make a wreath with a swinging bagworm! Cut out the center of a paper plate so only the rim remains, spread glue on it, and stick on crumpled tissue paper from the top.
For the bagworm, cut colored construction paper into parts and assemble them by gluing.
While real cocoons are usually brown, since this is a decoration, it’s fun to finish it colorfully by adding round stickers.
You can draw the face with a pen or use round stickers for it.
Attach twine to the bagworm and hang it in the center of the paper plate, and your cute wreath is complete.
[September] Autumn crafts! Ideas you can use in childcare (21–30)
A bagworm papercraft made with an envelope
Let me share an idea for making a bagworm using a brown envelope.
Cut off the top of the envelope with scissors, then fold the top left and right corners to the back.
Stick on eyes made by layering white and black round stickers, and then decorate the body with colored paper or yarn to represent the case.
Tear the colored paper into small pieces beforehand, and cut the yarn into suitable lengths.
Finally, tape a piece of jute string to the back of the envelope, and it’s done.
In addition to colored paper and yarn, you could also glue on leaves or small twigs you collected on a walk for a cute touch.