Craft ideas for 1-year-olds to enjoy in spring: flowers and koinobori (carp streamers)
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.
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[For 1-year-olds] Craft ideas to enjoy in spring: flowers and koinobori (41–50)
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.
Craft ideas to enjoy in spring for 1-year-olds: Flowers and koinobori (51–60)
Samurai helmet made from a footprint
Make adorable kids’ footprints the star! Here are ideas for crafting a samurai helmet (kabuto) using footprints.
This is a perfect project for anyone who wants to create an item kids can wear on Children’s Day.
You’ll need an envelope, construction paper, paint, sponge daubers, stickers, glue, and scissors.
In addition to making decorations for the venue, having wearable items for the day will boost the children’s excitement! Be sure to try this for Children’s Day.
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!
Colorful butterflies made with balloon stamps
https://www.tiktok.com/@hoiku.labo/video/7340139460689939730The bouncy, tapping feel is so much fun! Here’s an idea for making colorful butterflies with balloon stamps.
A balloon stamp is an art technique where you inflate a balloon, dab it in paint, and tap it onto drawing paper to add color.
This time, we’ll use balloon stamps to create butterflies that let you enjoy beautiful color blending.
Adjust the size of the balloon to fit your child’s hand.
Take this opportunity to give it a try!
Goldfish made with balloon stamps
We’ll introduce a colorful, pop, and cute goldfish craft made with balloon stamps.
Prepare paint, brushes, water balloons, construction paper, glue, and scissors.
After cutting the construction paper into the shape of a large jar and goldfish, dip an inflated water balloon in paint and stamp it onto the jar-shaped paper.
Switching colors as you stamp makes it even more fun.
Stick adhesive eyes on the goldfish, place them wherever you like, and you’re done.
Give it a try!
Making bento (Japanese lunchbox)
Here’s a fun craft for making a picnic-style bento that’s perfect for a sunny day.
The key is to prepare the ingredients—like rolled omelet, sausages, broccoli, and tomatoes—in advance using construction paper or origami paper.
For the main items like rice balls, making them together with the kids can boost the excitement.
Once you’ve laid out the prepared ingredients on the table, start packing them into the bento box.
By choosing and packing the ingredients themselves, children can think about what foods they like and how much will fit, making it both engaging and enjoyable.
Taking your special bento box out for a walk or little outing is a great way to enjoy the season, too.
Drawing transforms into tulips!
Introducing an original wall display where kids’ drawings transform into tulips.
Gather construction paper, crayons, glue, and scissors, and let’s get started.
Have the children draw freely on the construction paper.
Then cut the drawn paper into tulip flower and leaf pieces.
It’s also recommended to first cut the paper into flower and leaf shapes and then have the children draw on them.
Glue the tulip flowers onto a sheet where the stem and soil have already been attached, and it’s complete.
For children aged three and up, try letting them make the stem and soil parts too, according to their developmental stage.
Finish it off by drawing clouds and butterflies with crayons or making them from construction paper and gluing them on!