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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Craft ideas to enjoy in spring for 1-year-olds: Flowers and koinobori (51–60)
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.
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!
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.
Strawberries made with torn-paper collage

Let’s create using our fingertips! Here are some ideas for making strawberries with torn-paper collage.
You’ll need red origami paper, patterned origami paper, a backing sheet, glue or double-sided tape, scissors, flower-shaped cut paper, and strawberry calyx-shaped cut paper.
Use your fingertips to boldly tear the origami! It’s fun that the sound changes depending on how fast you tear.
Even things that seem obvious to adults can deepen the activity when you enjoy children’s discoveries as you work together.
Paste the torn pieces onto the backing sheet, then have a caregiver or teacher cut the sheet into a strawberry shape with scissors to finish.
It’s also great if the children can glue on the strawberry calyx themselves.
[For 1-year-olds] Craft ideas to enjoy in spring: flowers and koinobori (61–70)
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.
A mobile made with your favorite characters

Why not decorate the room with your children’s favorite characters? You can use characters from anime or games as materials, or—if characters aren’t allowed at your school—use animals or picture books they love instead! Once you’ve chosen the materials, print them out on a computer.
Also print one reversed copy so you can glue the front and back together.
Laminate the finished pieces and cut them out, then punch holes so you can attach strings.
Try decorating them like a mobile, using branches the children found in the yard or during outdoor activities.
Swaying gently in the pleasant spring breeze, they’ll look absolutely lovely.
Paper and yarn garland

Decorate with yarn dandelions and bring a touch of spring to your room! Wrap yellow or white yarn around four fingers, slide the bundle off gently, and tie the center with a short piece of yarn.
Snip the loops on both the top and bottom, then trim and fluff it into a round dandelion shape to finish.
Make leaves from construction paper and attach them to the dandelion with glue.
If you insert the leaves slightly into the dandelion as you glue, it will look more realistic.
They’re cute on walls or hallway displays, and also charming when hung as decorations.



