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 (21–30)

Bouquet with Handprints

[Handprints] From around age 1! A must-see Mother's Day craft for childcare workers #nursery #crafts #MothersDayGift #childcareIdeas #craft #diy

Bouquet with Handprints

Let’s try making a bouquet using children’s handprints! First, as preparation, cut the bouquet wrapping and flower stems out of construction paper.

An adult should handle this step.

Next, have the children make handprints with both hands.

If you have an ink pad, it’s convenient because the kids can ink their own hands.

Fold the wrapping piece into an inverted triangle, attach the stems on the inside, and then stick the cut-out handprints on top—it’s done! Adding a ribbon to the wrapping makes it even cuter.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

[Crepe/Tissue Paper] Rapeseed Blossoms

Making Rapeseed Flowers with Tissue Paper (from around age 1)

[Crepe/Tissue Paper] Rapeseed Blossoms

Let’s make spring flowers—rapeseed blossoms—using tissue paper.

Cut the flower base, stem, and leaves out of construction paper.

Tear the tissue paper into long, thin strips and have the children crumple them into small balls.

If you make small cuts in the tissue paper beforehand, even one-year-olds may find it easier to tear.

Stick the crumpled tissue paper onto the flower base, which has double-sided tape on it.

Finally, attach the stem and leaves to complete the flower.

Make several and display them on the wall to create a lovely rapeseed field.

Using a single color of tissue paper works, but using different shades of yellow is also recommended.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

[Stamping] Koinobori (carp streamers)

[Easy Craft] Perfect for Children’s Day! We made a Koinobori (carp streamer)! [For 1-year-olds]

[Stamping] Koinobori (carp streamers)

Place a plastic bottle cap over the opening of a small empty lactic acid drink container, wrap tape around it to secure, and glue a pipe cleaner—rolled into a spiral—onto the cap to make a stamp.

We’ll create the craft using stamping with this stamp! Please have an adult make the stamp.

Let the children stamp on white drawing paper to create a scale pattern.

Then paste the stamped paper onto a sheet cut into the shape of a carp streamer (koinobori).

After drawing an eye on the koinobori, wrap its tip around two connected straws and secure with tape.

Make a rotating arrow ornament from origami and a streamer from raffia/suzuran tape, glue them on, and it’s complete!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Koinobori of Kashiwa Mochi

Let’s make a Kashiwa-mochi carp streamer using kashiwa mochi, which is eaten during the Boys’ Festival (Tango no Sekku).

Cut construction paper into a leaf shape, draw the veins with a white crayon, and paint over it with green paint to create a wax-resist effect.

Cut another piece of construction paper into the shape of a carp streamer and draw patterns with crayons inspired by kashiwa mochi.

Place the leaf on top and glue them together.

Attach a face and a samurai helmet folded from origami, then stick them onto the carp streamer to finish.

It also sounds fun to choose parts of the project according to the child’s age and ability!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Koinobori and Kintaro

We’ll introduce a craft activity featuring carp streamers (koinobori) and Kintaro.

Prepare a paper plate, ribbon, a photo of the child, and koinobori cutouts.

Cut out the center of the paper plate to make a wreath base.

Use finger stamping on the koinobori to create the scales.

Place the child’s photo in the center and add a Kintaro headpiece on top.

Attach the koinobori as well, and you’re done! We recommend using paper plates with printed patterns.

This is a craft that even 0-year-olds can enjoy, so give it a try.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Butterflies made with finger painting

Happy little fingers that stay clean! Here’s a butterfly craft idea using finger painting.

By using a zippered plastic bag, there’s no mess on their fingers, so even infants in the 0-year-old class can enjoy it—such a great point.

With finger-painted butterflies, kids can press with their fingers, step with their feet, or grab with their hands, enjoying art in any way they like.

Using their hands helps develop their senses and fine motor skills, and they can also enjoy the excitement of not knowing exactly how the artwork will turn out.

Let’s create together with the children and have fun seeing what kind of art emerges.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Butterflies made from footprints

It’s great that even children in the infant class can make this! Here are some butterfly craft ideas using footprints.

Using footprints in crafts is wonderful because you can keep them as a record of growth.

When you look back, seeing the size and shape from that time will help you feel how much they’ve grown.

This time, let’s arrange a child’s footprint into the shape of a butterfly.

For the butterfly wings, it’s nice to add stickers or cut out pieces from drawing paper with scribbles.

Be sure to give it a try!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem