Lovely childcare

Craft ideas for 1-year-olds to enjoy in spring: flowers and koinobori (carp streamers)

20 years of experience as a nursery teacher / kindergarten teacherhiyoko sensei
I’m Hiyoko-sensei, a former nursery school teacher from Hyogo Prefecture. Ever since I was five, my dream was to become a childcare worker, and before I knew it, 20 years had passed since I achieved that dream. Through singing and playing with the children, I kept working with the spirit of someone in their twenties, even as I increasingly felt my physical limits year by year (haha). From here on, I’d like to share helpful information carefully and thoughtfully, drawing on my on-site experience.
Nursery Teacher Mom Writertsukada moe
After working for five years at an after-school childcare club and three years at a nursery school, I began working as a freelance writer. I’m a mother of two children. Inspired by playing the flute in the school wind ensemble in elementary school, I joined a jazz club at university. I’ve also incorporated ukulele and piano performance into childcare. Playing, laughing, feeling sad, feeling frustrated—through all kinds of experiences, I want children to grow.

Curious and eager to go and try things, one-year-olds often have a strong desire to explore.

They also show interest in making things, and their motivation to “give it a try” grows.

For those wondering what kinds of projects to enjoy with one-year-olds, here are some spring recommendations.

We’ve gathered ideas for creating fun motifs like flowers, animals, and carp streamers (koinobori) using a variety of materials and techniques.

These activities will make craft time exciting for the children, so please use them as a reference.

Because we treat children’s creations as works of art, we use the term “seisaku (制作)” to mean “art/craft projects” throughout the text.

Craft ideas to enjoy in spring for 1-year-olds: Flowers and koinobori (51–60)

Dandelion sponge stamp

@hoiku.labo
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♪ Original song – Craft ideas for childcare ♪ Nursery Job Labo – Nursery Job Lab | Preschool teachers’ career changes and useful information

Here’s a dandelion craft made with a sponge stamp.

The process is the same as making a traditional tampo stamp, but since you use a sponge, it seems easy to make.

Wrap a sponge around the tip of a disposable chopstick and secure it with a rubber band—your stamp is ready.

Then stamp orange paint onto a yellow piece of construction paper cut into a dandelion shape, and it’s complete.

You can display it on the wall as is, or add a stem and leaves to make it look even more like a dandelion.

When infants are making it, wrapping the chopstick with colored tape or vinyl tape can make it safer to use!

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Stamp Cherry Blossoms Made from Scrap Materials

Here’s how to make cherry blossoms using recycled materials.

Prepare construction paper, scissors, glue, a toilet paper roll, and paint.

First, create the base of the cherry tree on the construction paper.

Shape the toilet paper roll into a heart, dip it in paint, and stamp it onto the tree.

The stamped shapes look like cherry blossom petals, giving the artwork a springtime feel.

Since children’s hands are small, it’s recommended to cut the toilet paper roll in half to make a stamp that’s easier for them to hold firmly.

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A bed for Little Broad Bean made of cotton

Let’s enjoy the world of picture books! Here’s an idea for making Soramame-kun’s bed out of cotton.

You’ll need construction paper cut into the shape of a pod, cotton, glue or double-sided tape, and a Soramame-kun made from construction paper.

Miwa Nakaya’s “Soramame-kun no Beddo” is a beloved picture book for both children and adults.

How about making the bed that appears in the story? Spread out the fluffy cotton and stick it onto the paper.

It would also be fun to have the kids draw Soramame-kun’s facial expressions!

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Dandelions made from tissue paper

Soft and gentle vibes that are so cute! Here’s an idea for making dandelions with tissue paper.

You’ll need yellow tissue paper cut into quarter-size pieces, a round backing sheet, a stapler, and scissors.

First, accordion-fold the tissue paper and staple it in the middle.

Next, make three snips on both sides with scissors, then gently open up the tissue paper.

If you cut a bit deeper, it looks even cuter! Finally, glue the tissue paper onto the round backing to finish.

Try combining it with leaves and a stem made from construction paper.

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The Very Hungry Caterpillar made with sticker pasting

If you're unsure what to make for spring, try this! Create and display The Very Hungry Caterpillar ♪ 🍀 #preschoolcrafts #nurseryteacher #teachingideas #traineeTeacher #teacherLife #withKids #TheVeryHungryCaterpillar #easyCraft

The Very Hungry Caterpillar made with sticker pasting

Here’s a craft activity inspired by the beloved children’s book The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Prepare construction paper, round stickers, crayons, and glue.

Cut circles of the same size from construction paper: three green, two yellow-green, and one red.

Glue them onto a base sheet in the shape of a caterpillar.

The red circle will be the face, so place it at the front.

Stick round stickers on the caterpillar’s body to create patterns.

Peeling and placing stickers is a great fine-motor activity for children.

Finish by drawing eyes and a mouth with crayons.

It’s recommended to prepare stickers in different sizes.

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