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.
- Collection of indoor play ideas for September! Autumn recreational activities that will captivate children
- Get kids excited for September! A collection of ideas to enjoy autumn events and activities
- [Autumn Activities] Nature Play and Craft Ideas for Fall to Incorporate into Childcare!
- [Autumn] Seasonal play ideas to incorporate into childcare: Let’s connect with nature both outdoors and indoors
- September: Autumn crafts! Ideas you can use in childcare
- In October childcare, kids will be captivated! A collection of play ideas to fully enjoy autumn
- Get kids excited in November! A collection of play and craft ideas using autumn’s natural treasures
- Perfect origami ideas for September! A special feature on motifs you’ll want to include in early childhood education
- Recommended for 5-year-olds’ September crafts! A collection of ideas to enjoy autumn
- Fun in September! Exciting Preschool Quiz Collection
- September crafts for 2-year-olds! A collection of make-and-play ideas to enjoy autumn
- [For 3-year-olds] Perfect for September! A Collection of Craft Ideas to Enjoy Autumn Nature
- [Childcare] Autumn craft ideas
Summary of activities for childcare in September: autumn-themed play such as crafts and fingerplays (11–20)
Play around picture books
When it comes to indoor activities, reading is the go-to, and autumn means reading, doesn’t it? I think many preschoolers love read-alouds and picture books.
Here, we won’t just read books about moon viewing; after reading, we’ll have fun making the items that appear in the stories using clay or colored paper.
Since it’s right after reading, their imagination and motivation to create might be higher than usual! You can make classic moon-viewing dumplings out of paper clay, craft rabbits, or create a perfectly round moon with yellow paper—I can just picture everyone giggling and having a great time.
Be sure to prepare moon-viewing-themed background music to set the mood.
It should be fine for children ages 4–5 and up.
[Ages 2 and up] Let’s make a hedgehog with newspaper!
![[Ages 2 and up] Let’s make a hedgehog with newspaper!](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/F5K2YKZHSU4/sddefault.jpg)
Making newspaper hedgehogs is perfect for two-year-olds who enjoy using their hands.
Prepare construction paper, a hedgehog template, glue, newspaper, and scissors, and get started.
You can cut the newspaper with scissors, but tearing it by hand to represent the hedgehog’s spines or fur is also recommended.
Since two-year-olds aren’t yet familiar with using scissors, be sure to check their grip and how to open and close the scissors before proceeding.
Using tissue paper or origami to make a colorful hedgehog can also be a great way to help them enjoy colors visually.
Swirly Grapes
When it comes to the king of autumn flavors, grapes surely take the crown.
Let’s make a seasonal craft by rolling construction paper.
Prepare construction paper, scissors, and glue.
Cut the construction paper into a teardrop shape to create the base for the grapes.
Cut long, thin strips of construction paper and roll them tightly with your fingertips to form grape shapes.
Glue the rolled “grapes” onto the base in a three-dimensional way, making sure there are no gaps.
Finally, cut and roll green construction paper to make the stem and cluster top, then glue it on to finish.
Try making it while paying attention to finger dexterity, size, and overall balance.
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.
How to fold an easy cosmos flower
Let’s introduce how to fold a cosmos flower.
Prepare one sheet of origami paper, crease it, and cut it into four equal parts.
Using the creases as a guide, shape each quarter into a cosmos petal.
Once all are folded, glue the four petals together at the center.
For the stem, prepare another quarter sheet of origami paper and fold it along the center.
Finally, glue the flower and the stem together, and you’re done! The steps are simple, so give it a try.
How to fold tsukimi dango (paper craft)
Moon-viewing dango are essential sweets for the autumn full-moon night.
Prepare one sheet of origami paper, fold it into a triangle, then fold both sides up toward the center line.
Align the tip with the bottom corner, fold, and gently puff it out to form the dango.
A small slit with scissors is also a key step.
Fold the corners to shape the dango into a round form.
Finally, make the stand for the dango, attach the dango on top, and you’re done.
Try making these with children as the full-moon night approaches!
A roundup of activities you can use in childcare in September: autumn-themed crafts, fingerplays, and more (21–30)
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!