Lovely childcare

[For 4-Year-Olds] Feel the Spring Up Close! Fun and Easy Craft Ideas You’ll Love

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.
9 years of experience as a nursery school teacherShibata Risa
I am an active nursery school teacher with 9 years of experience. After graduating from university, I worked at a daycare center. The time I spent happily with children—playing piano, singing songs, and doing finger-play—are priceless memories to me. Currently, while raising three children of my own, I work at an after-school day service, engaging with children and providing individualized developmental support. Drawing on my diverse experiences as a childcare worker and as a mother, I hope to express and convey my thoughts through writing.

Spring is when colorful flowers bloom and insects begin to move about energetically.

Many teachers may be thinking, “I want children to feel the charms of spring!”

So this time, we’ve gathered spring-themed craft ideas recommended for four-year-olds.

Packed with fun projects that incorporate spring motifs familiar to children—like cherry blossoms, dandelions, butterflies, and ladybugs!

These ideas focus on enjoying self-expression while expanding their imaginations, as well as experiencing a variety of techniques and materials, so be sure to check them out.

Because the children’s creations are treated as artworks, the term used in the text is “制作” (seisaku), meaning “art/craft production.”

[For 4-year-olds] Feel the spring around you! Fun, recommended craft ideas (101–110)

strawberry

How to fold an origami strawberry! Even 3- and 4-year-olds can easily make a flat strawberry with a single sheet

strawberry

Let’s make it with a single sheet of origami! Here are some strawberry ideas.

All you need is origami paper in red or pink, plus crayons or colored pencils.

Strawberries, a favorite among children, are in season from March to late April in spring.

Many preschools and households probably do food education activities with a strawberry theme, right? Let’s try making a strawberry out of origami—one bite of a real strawberry fills your mouth with juice, and its sweet aroma and flavor are so appealing.

This idea is recommended because the steps are simple.

After you finish, use crayons or colored pencils to color the calyx and the seeds.

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rice ball

[Preschool Craft] Perfect for May preschool activities ♪ Easy origami rice balls

rice ball

With spring’s arrival, many preschools and kindergartens likely enjoy field trips and longer strolls.

Here’s an origami idea to go with that theme: how to fold a rice ball (onigiri).

Prepare a sheet of black origami paper to represent the nori (seaweed).

Fold it in half twice into a square to make creases, then unfold.

Fold three corners toward the center point.

Flip the paper over, then fold the remaining corner up so its tip meets the center point.

Next, slightly fold the corners to round the shape, and your onigiri is complete! On the small white “rice” area that shows, draw your favorite filling, or add a red round sticker to make it look like an umeboshi (pickled plum) onigiri—it looks delicious.

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A cute flower made from one sheet of tissue paper

Wall display by Kimie Gangi: Super easy ‘Cute flower made with a single sheet of tissue paper’

A cute flower made from one sheet of tissue paper

Watch “A cute flower made from one sheet of tissue paper” on YouTube

Here’s how to make a cute flower using just one sheet of tissue paper.

First, fold the tissue paper into an accordion.

Then fold it in half.

After folding, round off the edges with scissors.

Staple the center, and gently open up the flower.

Once it’s opened, press down the center to finish.

You can make lots of flowers to decorate a wall, add leaves to make a bouquet, or cut the edges into points to turn it into a dandelion—there are many ways to arrange them, so give it a try!

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Let’s make it using tissue paper

How to Make a Dandelion Wall Display? A Preschool Teacher Explains Recommended Spring New-Term Crafts (For Ages 1–3)

Let's make it using tissue paper

Here’s a cute spring wall display featuring dandelions.

Prepare construction paper, tissue paper, round stickers, scissors, and glue to get started.

Cut a circle from construction paper, fold it three times to divide it into eight sections, then cut two triangular notches at the top.

When you open the paper, it will form a dandelion shape.

Make the fluff (seed head) the same way using a different color of construction paper.

Use green construction paper to create leaves and stems.

Glue the dandelion parts onto the base sheet.

For the ladybug, assemble all the parts and use round stickers to make the wing spots.

Changing the color of the round stickers would be cute too.

Crumple tissue paper into a small ball for the dandelion center, glue it on, and you’re done!

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Kashiwa-mochi castanets

[Handmade Instruments] With Paper Clay! Kashiwa Mochi Castanets [Children’s Day Craft]

Kashiwa-mochi castanets

Let’s get crafting for Children’s Day! Here’s a fun idea for making Kashiwa Mochi castanets.

Many preschools and kindergartens probably sing children’s songs like “Koinobori” together during Children’s Day events, right? Let’s make Kashiwa Mochi castanets that will come in handy for those moments! You’ll need cardboard or a milk carton, green construction paper, white air-dry clay, buttons, colored pens, glue, craft adhesive, and scissors.

It’s a delightful, event-specific craft—give it a try!

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[For 4-year-olds] Feel the spring around you! Fun recommended craft ideas (111–120)

koinobori rocket

[Children’s Day Craft] How to Make a Koinobori Rocket

koinobori rocket

Carp streamers burst out with energy and excitement! Here’s an idea for a Koinobori Rocket.

When you think of Children’s Day, many people picture koinobori, right? This time, let’s make a toy with a carp streamer motif that you can build and play with! You will need two paper cups, two rubber bands, decorative materials like stickers and colored paper, scissors, a craft knife, and clear tape.

The decoration is very flexible, so it’s sure to spark kids’ creativity!

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Three Selected Sakura Creations

Here are three ideas for making a cherry blossom tree! As preparation, attach a trunk made from cardboard onto kraft paper.

You’ll create the cherry blossoms on top of that.

The first idea is to dip a cork into paint and stamp to create the blossoms.

The second is to drop small amounts of pink and white paint onto the kraft paper, cover it with plastic wrap, and enjoy spreading and blending the paint.

The third is to dye kitchen paper with paint, tear it into small pieces, and glue them on.

I think any of these ideas would be fun for four-year-olds.

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