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 (41–50)
Three-dimensional grapes with just one sheet!
Cut a sheet of construction paper into a rectangle and make two slits at each end.
On the left side, roll the middle section with slits toward the front and glue it, then roll the remaining sections toward the back and glue them.
On the right side, roll the middle section toward the back and glue it, then glue the remaining sections toward the front.
Fold the paper in half so the rolled parts form three rows, then cut along the fold with scissors to shape the stem.
Make leaves and vines out of origami paper and attach them to the grapes to finish! Try making them in various colors.
Super huge! Tissue paper grapes
Here’s an idea that’s perfect when you want to make an impactful autumn wall display.
Stack several sheets of tissue paper and accordion fold them.
Once folded, tie the center with wire.
Gently pull apart the layers of tissue paper one by one from the inside; when all the layers are fluffed, shape it into a round form.
This makes one grape.
Make eight of these, then arrange them in four rows as 3, 2, 2, and 1.
Glue them onto the base, and add a stem made from construction paper and leaves made from tissue paper to finish.
When you display it on the wall, adding a vine is a nice touch too.
Hedgehogs for infants (ages 1 and up)
@hoiku.labo [Autumn Crafts for Toddlers] Perfect for fall! Spiky little hedgehog 🦔🍂ChildcareNursery teacher / Childcare workerKindergarten TeacherChildcare job openingsChildcare Column#NurseryTeacherThings#IWantToConnectWithChildcareWorkers#Nursery School Craft#DaycarePreparationNursery School PracticumChildcare studentAspiring childcare workerChildcare Job LabNursery teacher skillsJob change activities#JobChange#nursery_teacher_job_changeNursery teacher employmentProduction#CraftworkProductiondrawing paperPoster Board Craft#Wall CreationOctober CraftsAutumn Animals
♪ Original Song – Craft Ideas for Childcare ♪ Hoiku Kyujin Labo – Hoiku Kyujin Labo | Nursery Teacher Job Changes and Helpful Information
A hedgehog craft made by sticking pieces is perfect for one-year-olds who find complex tasks difficult, and it’s a great activity that lets them feel a sense of accomplishment from “I did it!” Prepare construction paper cut into parts for the hedgehog’s legs, body, and spines, along with glue and round stickers.
Have the children glue each part onto the body.
Repeating the sticking action is also recommended for promoting children’s fine motor development.
As the teacher encourages them by saying things like “You stuck it on so well,” the children accumulate small successes, build confidence, and this leads to meaningful growth.
[Ages 2 and up] One-snip hedgehog with scissors
Let’s make an adorably prickly hedgehog using scissors.
Prepare construction paper, glue, and scissors.
It’s recommended that the teacher pre-cut the hedgehog’s spines/fur pieces and the face parts in advance.
Have the children work on the part where they make slits by cutting vertically into the spine pieces with scissors.
Start by practicing cutting straight vertical lines to help them learn how to use scissors.
Folding the cut spine pieces will add a three-dimensional look.
For the face, drawing with crayons or colored pens might result in hedgehogs with a variety of expressions.
[Ages 3 and up] Hedgehog Snip-Snip Craft
Using everyday paper plates to make hedgehogs is a great craft for 3-year-olds who are starting to enjoy expressing themselves.
Get paper plates, scissors, construction paper, and glue ready.
Prepare the hedgehog bodies in advance, and have the children make cuts around the edge of the paper plate, snipping from the outside toward the inside.
It’s also a good idea to draw guide lines so they can cut along them.
By drawing the hedgehog’s face themselves, each child can create their own original hedgehog.
Giving the hedgehogs names and using them in play can make the activity even more fun.
[Ages 4 and up] Hedgehog made with construction paper
@hoiku.labo [For Preschool Teachers] Hedgehog craft made with construction paper 🦔🎶 Preschool craft, preschool teacher, ideas for the classroom, easy craft to make with children, make-and-play activity, popular craft, wall display, wall decorationsHedgehog
♪ Original Song – Hoiku Kyujin Labo – Hoiku Kyujin Labo | Nursery Teacher Job Changes and Helpful Information
The hedgehog craft that lets children feel the seasons helps four-year-olds further develop their color choices and tool use.
Prepare construction paper, glue, and scissors, and let’s get started.
Cut out the hedgehog’s body, ears, and fur from construction paper using scissors.
Glue the cut pieces together.
Use zigzag scissors to give the fur a three-dimensional look.
Once you’ve glued all the parts together with a good sense of balance, it’s complete.
This activity also encourages children to think about things like how much glue to use and how to arrange the parts.
Give it a try!
[Ages 1 and up] Easy Hedgehog with Fork and Sponge
![[Ages 1 and up] Easy Hedgehog with Fork and Sponge](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/B7rR6Xau1fI/sddefault.jpg)
Let’s have fun making a hedgehog that squeaks “peep-peep,” using a fork and a sponge.
Prepare disposable plastic forks, sponges, a base sheet of construction paper, a hedgehog template, paints, and a palette.
Apply paint to the entire back side of the fork and press it onto the hedgehog template as you paint.
A rubbed, scratchy-looking texture helps create a more three-dimensional effect—this is a key point.
When dabbing paint with a sponge, the strength of the pressure you apply to the paper will change how the color appears.
This craft is perfect for one-year-old children who are exploring textures—give it a try!