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)

The goldfish ran away.

Let’s stamp while dabbing with a sponge! Here’s an idea inspired by “The Goldfish Got Away.” The picture book “The Goldfish Got Away,” with its charming art style and the fun of searching for the escaped goldfish, is a favorite among children! This time, let’s enjoy making a craft with sponges.

You’ll need white drawing paper, sponges, paints, and paper parts you’ve made from construction paper.

Use paint to represent the water in the fishbowl where the goldfish is.

Using a single color is fine, but mixing light blue, blue, and white will give it a different feel!

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

mayumi

Report a problem

[1-year-olds] Craft ideas to enjoy in spring: flowers and koinobori (31–40)

little bird

Arranging is so much fun! Here are some little bird ideas to try.

The children’s song “Kotori no Uta,” featuring a bird that loves to sing, is probably well loved in nurseries and kindergartens, isn’t it? This time, let’s make a little bird out of construction paper.

All you need is construction paper in your favorite colors, crayons, and round stickers.

It’s super cute to use the children’s handprints as the bird’s wings, so we highly recommend it! Make your little bird using crayons and round stickers, and let the kids arrange it in any style they like.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Shirokuma-chan’s Hotcakes

Here’s an introduction to making a craft inspired by the popular children’s picture book, Shirokuma-chan’s Pancakes.

Prepare construction paper, paint, brushes, scissors, and glue.

Cut out and assemble a plate and pancakes from the construction paper ahead of time.

If you prepare plates in several colors, children may enjoy choosing their favorite.

Use paint to represent butter and add color to the pancakes with a brush.

Form butter shapes from cellophane or origami paper, then glue them on top to complete a delicious-looking pancake.

For Shirokuma-chan’s eyes, we recommend using round stickers.

Raise the rankinglower

mayumi

Report a problem

Takenoko-chan

Here’s an introduction to making a fun art project with Bamboo Shoot-chan using paints.

Prepare a paper plate, crayons, paint, brushes, scissors, and glue.

First, enjoy scribbling on the paper plate with crayons.

Next, paint over it to enjoy a resist painting effect.

It’s recommended to dilute the paint a little.

Since some children may be using paint for the first time, proceed while keeping a close eye on them to prevent accidental ingestion and ensure safety.

Cut the paper plate into quarters, then glue the pieces together in a three-dimensional way to form a bamboo shoot shape.

Finally, add the face, and it’s complete.

Raise the rankinglower

mayumi

Report a problem

Dandelion Drum

https://www.tiktok.com/@picoton_craft/video/7335013897704869122

Dandelions transform into adorable instruments! Here’s an idea for making a dandelion den-den daiko (hand drum) with paper plates.

You’ll need two paper plates with a rim, a wooden chopstick, green masking tape, ribbon, and beads.

Wrap the chopstick all the way around with green masking tape so it’s safe to use.

Draw dandelions on the outside of the two paper plates, then treat the chopstick wrapped in green tape as the stem and attach it to the inside.

Next, attach ribbons to the left and right sides, and tie beads to the ends of the ribbons on the outside.

Stack and fasten the two paper plates together, and you’re done.

When you spin it, the beads hit the plates and make a sound!

Raise the rankinglower

hiyoko sensei

Report a problem

A little bird made with scribbles

Let’s draw freely with crayons! Here are some ideas for making little birds from scribbles.

Scribbling refers to the bold, free lines and drawings that children create just as they please.

It’s characterized by lines drawn casually with big movements of the hands and arms.

This is an important time to enjoy the fun of drawing and take the first step in self-expression, so let’s make something that makes the most of children’s drawings! What you’ll need: drawing paper, crayons, paper parts (made from construction paper), glue, and scissors.

Give it a try!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem