Summary of activities you can use in childcare in September: autumn-themed play such as crafts and fingerplay.
September is when you start to feel autumn little by little through changes in nature and the weather.
Many teachers at nurseries and kindergartens may be thinking about enjoying autumn-specific activities with children that feel a bit different from summer.
So this time, we’re introducing activity ideas recommended for September.
We’ve gathered a wide range of ideas, including craft activities featuring autumn nature and motifs, songs, finger plays, picture books, and indoor games!
We’re also introducing activities related to the moon-viewing festival and Respect for the Aged Day, so find activities that suit your setting and incorporate them into your September childcare.
Enjoy the season of autumn together with the children as you experience it.
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Summary of activities for childcare in September: autumn-themed activities such as crafts and finger plays (61–70)
Mushrooms in bleeding watercolor
Let’s use wet-on-wet painting to make cute mushrooms for the autumn season.
We’ll start with the stem.
Apply glue all over a sheet of origami paper and attach it to a toilet paper roll.
Fold and glue the excess at the top and bottom inward.
Next, use a coffee filter to make the cap.
Draw patterns on the coffee filter with water-based markers, then mist it with water.
Once it’s dry, firmly glue the stem and cap together.
Your mushroom is complete! Be sure to spray enough water so the ink bleeds nicely.
Prepare several colors of water-based markers and let the children choose their favorites.
Swaying Tsukimi craft
Why not try making a cute, gently swaying decoration for the Moon Viewing festival? First, prepare a piece of construction paper cut into a circle to represent the moon, then paste on pictures with a moon-viewing theme made from origami or construction paper.
Rabbits, rice cakes—any design is fine! Next, get a paper plate folded in half, apply glue to about half of your finished picture, and stick it onto the plate.
In the unused space on the paper plate, decorate by pasting small pieces of origami or drawing designs, and you’re done! If you give the paper plate a little push, it will sway back and forth.
Cosmos flowers stamped with a dab-dab technique
Let’s try making autumn flowers—cosmos—using paper plates and a sponge.
As preparation, cut the center of a paper plate into the shape of a cosmos flower.
After that, simply use a sponge to dab the cosmos shapes onto construction paper.
You can reflect the real colors of cosmos, such as pink and yellow, or choose any colors you like for a fun twist.
Layering the flowers little by little will create a more vibrant finish.
You might also enjoy looking at real cosmos flowers before starting.
Have fun making lots of cosmos blossoms!
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!
Popping Bubble Wrap Mushroom
Why not make cute mushrooms using bubble wrap? First, the teacher draws the shapes of mushroom caps and stems, as well as autumn leaves, on construction paper.
Cut out the mushroom cap to use as a template, and trace the outline onto the bubble wrap as well.
Have the children cut out each part with scissors.
Since bubble wrap can be difficult to cut, consider assisting the children or cutting it yourself, and adjust the task accordingly.
Next, glue the bubble wrap onto the construction paper with the bubbles facing up.
Then use a permanent marker to draw patterns on the bubble wrap.
Draw a cute face on the mushroom stem, too.
It’s a fun idea to see what kinds of mushrooms the children will create!
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.
Footprints and sticker mushrooms
Let’s try making mushrooms using children’s footprints! First, trace the children’s footprints onto construction paper.
These footprints will be used as the mushroom stems.
Next, cut out mushroom cap shapes from construction paper.
Depending on the children’s ages, have the teacher handle this step.
Once the caps are ready, attach them to the heel side of the footprints.
Then, stick round stickers onto the caps to create the mushroom spots, and you’re done! For decoration, we recommend drawing autumn-themed pictures around the mushrooms, adding leaves and seasonal foods made from construction or origami paper, or gluing on fallen leaves collected from the playground.