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)
Easy grapes—just put them in a plastic bag
Let’s make grapes by crumpling tissue paper—an activity kids can enjoy from around age one.
Prepare a clear plastic bag, tissue paper, and a pipe cleaner.
Shape the clear plastic bag into a triangle, then crumple the tissue paper into small balls to make grape berries.
Put the berries into the bag and twist the opening closed with the pipe cleaner.
Once your 3D grape cluster is done, add a leaf made from a handprint and create a wrinkled pattern on it to finish.
This is a craft that children around one year old, who love squeezing and crumpling, can enjoy.
Give it a try!
[September] Autumn crafts! Ideas you can use in childcare (51–60)
Grapes wreath
Using origami to make delicious-looking grapes is also perfect as a craft that stimulates fine motor development.
Prepare origami paper, glue, and scissors, and let’s get started.
Cut the origami into strips with scissors and glue the ends to make loops.
Make a total of 12 loops.
Glue the loops together to form a bunch of grapes.
If you use light green origami, you can make Shine Muscat grapes.
You can also make leaves and the stem, which might be fun for wall displays and other decorations.
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!
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.
Bleeding-effect mushroom
There are many delicious foods that are in season in autumn, and mushrooms are one of the most famous autumn flavors.
You often see autumn-colored mushrooms in wall decorations and the like.
Here’s an idea to make those mushrooms using a bleeding-painting technique.
For the mushroom caps that will have the bleeding effect, use coffee filters.
Draw on the filters with water-based pens in colors you like, then sprinkle water over them to let the colors bleed.
It’s easy to get even coverage by spraying water from a spray bottle.
Make the mushroom stems with colored construction paper, and once the filters are dry, glue them on.
Stylish mushrooms made with masking tape
Masking tape comes in all sorts of designs and patterns.
How about using that tape to make stylish mushrooms? On a sheet of white drawing paper, stick your favorite masking tapes randomly—vertically, horizontally, and diagonally.
Once you’ve added as much as you like, cut the paper into the shape of a mushroom cap, then pair it with another piece of paper cut into the shape of the mushroom stem to complete the craft.
Each child will choose different tapes and arrangements, resulting in wonderfully original creations.
Depending on the children’s ages, teachers should handle any steps that involve using scissors.
The autumn-colored caterpillar
Speaking of caterpillars, we usually think of green ones, but caterpillars dressed in autumn colors are adorable too.
Let’s make a version of the beloved children’s book character, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, using fall foliage colors.
On a sheet of white construction paper, you’ll stamp circles—but the stamp is a blown-up balloon.
Mix a few paints in your favorite autumn shades, press the balloon lightly into the paint, then dab and twist it on the paper to make circles.
Even two-year-olds can have fun bouncing the balloon to stamp! Cut out the circles, add a face, and it’s complete.