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 craft ideas we recommend (141–150)

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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Broad beans you make by sticking (pieces) on

Spring Craft: “Broad Beans” Easy How-To Explained by a Preschool Teacher (for 2–3-year-olds) #shorts

Broad beans you make by sticking (pieces) on

Broad beans, which are said to be in season from April to June, are perfect for spring crafts.

This time, we’ll introduce a project that uses these broad beans.

Prepare by pre-cutting the pod and bean shapes out of construction paper.

If the children are old enough and comfortable using scissors, it’s also great to let them cut the pieces themselves.

Glue the pod and beans onto a base sheet of construction paper, draw faces on the beans, and you’re done.

The steps are very simple, so even younger children can enjoy making this.

The vivid green of the broad beans is sure to energize the kids even more.

Give it a try!

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Mobile of clouds and balloons

Feel the sky with the cute hanging decoration “Fluffy Cloud and Hot Air Balloon” ☁

Mobile of clouds and balloons

It spins around and looks so cute! Let me share an idea for a mobile with fluffy clouds and hot air balloons.

You’ll need scissors, glue, thread, beads, translucent origami paper, tissue paper, four rubber bands, craft adhesive, tape, and bamboo skewers.

Use the tissue paper and rubber bands to make fluffy clouds, and make the hot air balloons with the translucent origami paper and beads.

You’ll build a frame with the bamboo skewers and hang the pieces, so if you’re making this with children, be sure to work with safety in mind.

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In conclusion

We introduced recommended spring craft ideas for 4-year-olds.

There were many ideas that expressed the feeling of spring using a variety of materials and techniques.

It might also be fun to go for a walk together in the warm weather and incorporate the things that left an impression on the children into your crafts.

Let’s enjoy creating while fully experiencing the unique charm of spring.