Lovely childcare

For three-year-olds: A collection of craft ideas featuring spring events and creatures that you’ll want to make with your three-year-old

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.

When spring comes, flowers bloom and living creatures become more active.

Three-year-olds are probably discovering many signs of spring through outdoor activities, too.

So this time, we’ve put together craft ideas perfect for three-year-olds to try in spring.

We introduce many ideas that use fun techniques, a variety of materials, and even recycled items.

Please consider incorporating activities that let children experience satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment.

Because we treat what children make as works of art, we refer to them as “seisaku” (productions) in the text.

[For Age 3] A Collection of Craft Ideas (71–80) to Make with Three-Year-Olds: Spring Events and Creatures

Artworks created using natural materials

Middle Nursery Class April Activities: “Spring Nature Items” (with subtitles)

Artworks created using natural materials

April has just the right climate and is the perfect season for walks and playing in the playground.

Here’s an activity for creating artworks using natural materials like leaves and branches found outdoors.

Prepare a container to collect fallen leaves and other items.

If children decorate their own container with stickers or markers, they’ll feel more attached to it and enjoy the activity even more.

Use cotton swabs to apply glue to the collected leaves and flowers, then stick them onto construction paper.

When placing the items, it’s important to value the child’s sensibilities and let them lead the process.

Once finished, display the pieces and enjoy the artwork!

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Let’s make postcards from elephant dung

Making postcards from elephant dung: Hitachi Kamine Zoo

Let's make postcards from elephant dung

April 28 is Elephant Day.

It is said to originate from the occasion in 1729 when an elephant sent from Vietnam to Japan was presented to Emperor Nakamikado.

Elephants are among the largest land animals—truly enormous creatures! Let’s try making postcards using elephant dung from these big animals.

Put on gloves, then wash the elephant dung to extract the dietary fibers.

Using a blender, combine pulp from a milk carton with water and form it into postcard shapes.

Once it’s dry, it’s done.

Please be mindful of hygiene as you make them!

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[Stamping] Tulip

[3-year-old class art project] Tulips that make patterns by adjusting force ♪ We also introduce the materials!

[Stamping] Tulip

Speaking of spring flowers, tulips are a favorite among children.

This project lets them create tulips that show lots of personality depending on how much pressure they use.

First, the teacher should pre-cut colored construction paper into pieces for clouds, butterflies, leaves, and so on.

The children can roll up stems and secure them with cellophane tape, and tear and crumple brown construction paper to make the soil.

Next, put red paint on a sponge and have them enjoy stamping onto white construction paper where tulip shapes have been drawn.

Once everything is glued onto the base sheet, you’ll have a three-dimensional, vibrant tulip display!

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[Stamping] Sakura

Sakura stamp play using lactic acid bacteria drink containers

[Stamping] Sakura

How about enjoying a cherry blossom art activity using stamps made from empty lactic acid bacteria drink containers? The teacher should prepare the stamps in advance.

First, firmly attach the lid to the container with vinyl tape.

Next, draw petals with a red pen on cushioning tape (the kind used to prevent bumps) and stick it onto the lid.

For the ink pad, cut a paper cup to half its height, place a sponge inside, and soak it with red and white paint.

Then, press the stamp onto drawing paper with a tree sketched on it—beautiful cherry blossoms will appear.

With this bright, festive project, the children are sure to get excited.

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[Paper Cutting] Colorful Flowers

[For 3-year-olds] Fascinated by blossoming flowers!! “Kirigami Play”

[Paper Cutting] Colorful Flowers

Let’s try making flowers with kirigami (paper cutting)! The number of petals changes depending on how many times you fold the paper, but if you fold it too many times it becomes too thick to cut, so stack only as many layers as your child can cut through.

Also, petals are curved.

It’s harder than cutting straight lines, so go slowly and cut a little at a time.

Once your flower is done, try drawing on it or coloring it.

If you fold all the petals inward and float it on water, the petals will gradually open and you can watch the moment the flower blooms—give it a try if you like!

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[Handprint/Footprint] Piyo-piyo Chick

[Rainbow Art] Introducing 3 Types of March Handprint Crafts!! ~For 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-Year-Olds~ [Nursery School/Kindergarten]

[Handprint/Footprint] Piyo-piyo Chick

At the start of a new school term, it’s a lovely idea to record children’s growth each year with handprint crafts.

In this piece, it’s unique how the handprints are attached to look like flower leaves and chick wings.

The rainbow painted with paint and a sponge is colorful and beautiful, too.

First, squeeze out paint in a length that fits the sponge, then apply it to a lightly moistened sponge.

Press the sponge onto the drawing paper and slide it sideways to paint the rainbow.

After the paint dries, attach colored paper cut into flower and bird shapes along with the handprints to finish.

Using handprints to represent something else can spark children’s imagination about different shapes.

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[Origami] Easter Egg

[Origami] Easter Egg — an Easter origami you can make together with a 3-year-old child

[Origami] Easter Egg

How about an Easter egg origami that even three-year-olds can take their time with and enjoy? First, place the white side up and make creases in a cross.

Next, fold each side in to the center, flip it over, and fold the bottom corner up.

Then open everything once, spread the bottom corner to the left and right and fold it.

Fold that section back down, fold the left and right corners, then return the top part.

Flip it over again, fold back the other three corners, and it’s done.

It would look nice displayed on the wall together with a chick illustration, too.

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