[Childcare] Fun to Make! Recommended Craft Ideas for Spring

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.

In spring, with new admissions and moving up to the next class, you can see children in all sorts of states—excited, nervous, and everything in between.

Many teachers are probably hoping that the children will come to enjoy their days at the preschool/kindergarten.

So this time, we’re sharing craft ideas perfect for spring.

We’ve gathered plenty of motifs that evoke the season—like cherry blossoms, tulips, and ladybugs—as well as ideas you can use for events such as Easter and Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Day).

Decorate various areas to wrap your room in a spring atmosphere, and the children are sure to feel cozy and smile!

Give them a try.

Note: Since the things the children make are treated as “artworks,” we refer to them as “seisaku (制作)” in the text.

[Childcare] Fun to Make! Recommended Spring Craft Ideas (71–80)

Butterfly made with accordion folding

https://www.tiktok.com/@pi_chan.sensei__hoiku/video/7363217561523064072

Here’s how to make a butterfly mobile using accordion folds.

Prepare construction paper, glue, and patterned origami paper.

Glue the patterned origami at the center of a circle cut from construction paper.

Make an accordion fold, then fold it in half and glue it so it forms a heart shape.

Make another one the same way, then glue the two hearts together to form a butterfly.

Add antennae to complete your cute butterfly.

It will look lovely and spring-like as a wall decoration or as part of a mobile!

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mayumi

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Dandelion Drum

https://www.tiktok.com/@picoton_craft/video/7335013897704869122

Dandelions transform into adorable instruments! Here’s an idea for making a dandelion den-den daiko (hand drum) with paper plates.

You’ll need two paper plates with a rim, a wooden chopstick, green masking tape, ribbon, and beads.

Wrap the chopstick all the way around with green masking tape so it’s safe to use.

Draw dandelions on the outside of the two paper plates, then treat the chopstick wrapped in green tape as the stem and attach it to the inside.

Next, attach ribbons to the left and right sides, and tie beads to the ends of the ribbons on the outside.

Stack and fasten the two paper plates together, and you’re done.

When you spin it, the beads hit the plates and make a sound!

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hiyoko sensei

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Papercut of a dandelion

Let’s make it with scissors! Here are some cut-paper dandelion ideas.

You’ll need yellow origami paper, glue or double-sided tape, scissors, and a compass.

Using the yellow origami paper, cut out three sizes of dandelions—large, medium, and small.

Layering the three sizes will give the petals a three-dimensional look and create a gorgeous finish.

If you also cut green origami paper to make the stem and leaves, it ties everything together beautifully.

Give it a try!

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Butterflies made with torn paper collage

Here’s how to make butterflies flying around a flower field.

Cut construction paper into the shapes of butterfly wings and a body to create the base.

If you layer two sheets of construction paper for the base, it will be sturdier.

Tear pieces of origami paper and glue them onto the wings.

Using patterned origami will make it look more festive and give it a spring-like feel.

For the body, add round stickers to distinguish it from the wings.

Draw facial expressions, and your butterfly is complete.

Tearing the origami by hand lets you enjoy differences in shapes and sizes.

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A cherry blossom tree made with torn-paper collage

Cherry blossoms are the quintessential spring flower—truly their synonym.

How about incorporating a cherry blossom tree made with torn-paper collage? Start by drawing the trunk on colored construction paper, then add plenty of branches on top with crayon.

Next, tear pieces of paper and glue them onto the branches.

Mixing different colors, patterns, and textures—such as pink origami, patterned origami, and tissue paper—will make the finished piece look vibrant and festive.

Drawing little butterflies around it would be adorable, too.

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utatane

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Ladybugs and dandelions

We’re introducing how to make cute spring dandelions and round little ladybugs.

Please prepare the bases for the dandelions and the ladybugs ahead of time, teachers.

Stick double-sided tape on the dandelion flower area, and have the children attach torn, crumpled pieces of yellow tissue paper there.

For the ladybug’s spots, use black paint and make finger stamps; if using fingers is tricky, cotton swabs also make adorable stamps! Finally, attach the facial parts of the ladybug to finish.

They look very cute whether you mount them on a backing sheet or display them as they are.

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