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.

[For 1-year-olds] Craft ideas to enjoy in spring: flowers and koinobori (1–10)

Ladybugs and dandelions

We’re introducing how to make cute spring dandelions and round little ladybugs.

Please prepare the bases for the dandelions and the ladybugs ahead of time, teachers.

Stick double-sided tape on the dandelion flower area, and have the children attach torn, crumpled pieces of yellow tissue paper there.

For the ladybug’s spots, use black paint and make finger stamps; if using fingers is tricky, cotton swabs also make adorable stamps! Finally, attach the facial parts of the ladybug to finish.

They look very cute whether you mount them on a backing sheet or display them as they are.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Tulips made with sensory play

Let’s make tulips through a magical painting and sensory play activity! Prepare a sheet of white drawing paper sized to fit inside a storage bag, then place paint directly onto the paper.

If you use a generous amount of paint, it will spread more smoothly—so squeeze out a little extra.

Seal the edges of the bag tightly, and the children’s sensory play begins.

Enjoy the squishy feel, the way the paint spreads when pressed, and the blended colors as the paints mix—take your time and savor the process.

After playing, let the paper dry, cut it into tulip shapes, and paste them onto a backing sheet to finish.

Making handprint butterflies to paste alongside is a lovely touch, too.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Spring Stroll Bag

Let’s head out with a little walk bag! This is a walk bag made from a storage bag.

After decorating the bag freely with drawings or stickers, attach a string to both ends and it’s done.

Children have lots of treasures not only outside the preschool but also in the playground, so be sure to make a bag where they can keep their precious finds! If you use paper or another easily torn material for the neck strap, it will break away quickly if it gets caught, making it safe to use.

Children who have just entered or moved up a class will be excited to see what kinds of treasures they’ll discover.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Craft ideas to enjoy in spring for 1-year-olds: Flowers and Koinobori (11–20)

Dandelions made with stamps

Get a head start on spring ✨ Creative play with recycled materials 🎨 #shorts #childcare #paints

Dandelions made with stamps

Easy yet super eye-catching! Let’s make dandelion flowers with a stamp! The method is very simple.

Prepare a toilet paper roll and make lots of cuts on one end.

Add many fine slits, imagining the dandelion petals.

Fold the cut sections outward and your stamp is ready! Draw the dandelion’s stem and leaves on a sheet of construction paper as the base, then use the toilet paper roll with yellow paint to stamp the flowers on top.

The toilet paper roll stamp is large and easy to grip, so even infants can enjoy it.

You can make this using familiar recycled materials, so give it a try!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Skeleton cherry tree

A child’s hand turns into a cherry tree trunk! Let me introduce a skeleton-style cherry blossom tree craft.

You’ll need colored construction paper, a pink clear file folder, origami paper, paint, flower petals made with a craft punch, a permanent marker, glue, and scissors.

First, paint the child’s arm up to the elbow and make a handprint.

Next, draw petals on the cut clear file with a permanent marker and attach the craft-punched petals.

Finally, combine the decorated blossom section with the handprint cherry tree trunk, and it’s complete!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Cherry blossoms made with hand painting

@mammybear_
Cherry blossoms bloomed in my room a little early!#Nursery school cherry tree Nursery teacher / Childcare worker #CapCut
♬ Cute and fun marimba pops(1164847) – zomap

Let’s make memories together! Here are some cherry blossom craft ideas using hand painting.

All you need is poster paper, paint, a roller, and scissors.

Spring is the season of hellos and goodbyes—how about making cherry blossoms with your whole class? Paint the cherry tree trunk with a roller, and use the children’s handprints to create the blossoms.

When decorating, it’s also lovely to display the children’s photos next to the cherry blossoms.

It’s an idea that’s exciting just to look at!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Cherry blossom tree made with plastic bags

https://www.tiktok.com/@lion.sensei_hoiku/video/7348581263697087752

Blow into it and make it! Let me show you how to create a cherry blossom tree using a plastic bag.

You’ll need construction paper, a plastic bag, paint, a cherry tree shape made from construction paper, and glue or double-sided tape.

First, tie the bottom of the plastic bag tightly, turn it inside out, then blow into it and tie it off.

Dab paint onto the plastic bag, which will be puffed up like a balloon, and stamp it onto the paper to make big cherry blossom petals! Attach the cherry tree cutout made from construction paper, and you’re done!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem