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 and recommended craft ideas (41–50)

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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[For 4-year-olds] Feel the spring around you! Fun and recommended craft ideas to make (51–60)

sparrow

Let’s make a chirping little bird! Here’s a sparrow craft idea.

You’ll need two sheets of brown origami paper, crayons, round stickers, and glue or double-sided tape.

Sparrows are familiar birds for children, aren’t they? Using brown origami paper, let’s create an adorable sparrow.

By drawing fine patterns with crayons and making the eyes with round stickers, children can expand their creativity.

Carefully attaching the parts with glue or double-sided tape will also help develop fine motor skills.

This slow-paced craft offers a heartwarming idea for spending calm, quality time together with your child.

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honeybee

@sachimama_asobi
I tried making a simple and cute little honeybee! ✨🐝 Today, by my sons’ request, we made a “bee.” 🍯 Materials: - 1 sheet of yellow origami paper (15 cm × 15 cm) - 2 sheets of white origami paper (7.5 cm × 7.5 cm) - A little black origami paper (for the stripes/pattern) We’ll make it using glue. When you make it with origami, it turns out super cute, but be careful around real bees! 🥹✨ It’s easy, so be sure to save this and give it a try! +——————————————+ I’m Sachi-mama, raising three energetic boys ages 8, 6, and 2❀ I share play ideas and easy crafts with kids using 100-yen items, natural materials, and recyclables. Feel free to like, follow, or DM! Follow here ▷ @sachimama_asobi +——————————————+#AtHomePlay　#AtHomePlay work　 Play with children #I love crafts　Handmade　　 #origami #papercraft Spring crafts　Summer #hachi　#Honeybee　How to fold a bee Origami You Can Play With #Flower
♬ Such an adorable baby – arrived as expected

Let’s make a cute honeybee that goes buzz-buzz! Here’s an idea for making a honeybee out of origami.

You’ll need yellow and black origami paper, white origami paper cut into quarter-size pieces, scissors, and glue or craft adhesive.

It’s a fun idea that lets you create a lively bee in flight with origami! Use the yellow and black paper to make a cute, pop-style bee, then add wings with the white paper and you’re done! Using tools like scissors and glue makes the process exciting, too.

Kids will love the distinctive colors and shapes!

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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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tree

[Origami] Easy Tree Folding Method with Audio Commentary ☆ Origami Tree Tutorial Tatsukuri

tree

Enjoy spring nature with origami too! Here are some tree ideas.

You’ll need two 7.5 cm square sheets of origami paper and glue or craft adhesive.

It’s a lovely origami project you can enjoy with children while feeling the warmth of spring.

We’ll make a tree using 7.5 cm squares, but you can adjust the paper size to create a tree in whatever size you like! By using glue or craft adhesive to firmly secure the leaves and trunk, you’ll improve the finished look as well.

It’s a fun idea that uses simple materials to express a spring landscape with origami—highly recommended.

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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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Three-dimensional strawberry decoration

[Origami Craft] Spring Project: 3D Strawberry Decoration – Easy Craft, Wall Decor (For Childcare Workers and Caregivers) | Origami strawberry cute easy

Three-dimensional strawberry decoration

Let’s make it with origami! Here are some ideas for a three-dimensional strawberry decoration.

You’ll need origami paper, crayons, scissors, and glue.

Let’s easily create the strawberry’s plump, distinctive shape with origami.

Since you’ll use origami paper cut in half, the preparation is simple—that’s part of the appeal.

When cutting green origami paper to make the calyx (leafy top), children’s individuality is sure to shine.

Because scissors are used, be sure to work in an environment where parents or teachers can watch over the activity safely.

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