Lovely childcare

[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 Craft Ideas for Spring (171–180)

Cherry blossom petal wreath

Origami [Cherry Blossom Petal Wreath]

Cherry blossom petal wreath

Make it with origami! Here’s an idea for a cherry blossom petal wreath.

All you need are eight quarter-size sheets of origami paper and glue.

The cherry blossom petals made from origami look adorably connected! Using just one shade of pink is nice, but it’s also lovely to mix in petals made from light pink or white origami paper.

Using traditional Japanese-patterned paper can change the vibe even more, so it’s highly recommended.

It’s a perfect idea to decorate your room wall or entryway!

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cherry blossom hair ornament

[Senior Recreation] Cherry Blossom Wall Decoration Using Origami [Easy Craft] Cherry blossom wall decoration

cherry blossom hair ornament

Create your own little spring! Let me introduce a cherry blossom decoration.

You’ll need scissors, glue, craft scissors, a craft punch, a hole punch, a pen, origami paper, and a backing sheet.

This cherry blossom decoration is three-dimensional, and a big plus is the freedom to choose any origami colors you like.

By using gold or silver origami as accents, even a single blossom looks glamorous.

It also looks lovely displayed in a frame made from chopsticks! Please give it a try and create a cherry blossom decoration that expresses your very own little spring.

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Balloon and animal mobile

Balloons and animals too! Easy mobiles made with paper and scissors. DIY Paper Mobiles — balloons & animals

Balloon and animal mobile

Here’s a very cute paper mobile you can make and hang from the ceiling.

This idea lets you craft your favorite shapes out of paper—try spring-inspired motifs like flowers or hot-air balloons.

When you display it, using a tree branch can add a warm, natural feel.

You can also make a base by forming a ring from a vinyl hose sold at home improvement stores and hang the pieces from the ring—it looks adorable too.

It’s also lovely to have young children make spring motifs and decorate freely.

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Milk carton mobile

Fun Mobiles: Let’s Make a Spinning Mobile from a Milk Carton! (Chigasaki Park Experiential Learning Center Umikaze Terrace)

Milk carton mobile

Fun to make, and fun to hang from the ceiling and enjoy! Here are some ideas for making a mobile out of milk cartons.

You’ll need three milk cartons, a 14 cm bamboo skewer or wire, thread, acrylic paint, and craft glue.

In this idea, the collaboration of the moon with a cat and fish makes for an amusing design! You can freely adapt it to suit the design you want to create—whether a cute or cool vibe, animals, or your favorite motifs—so feel free to use this as a reference.

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Climbing ladybug

Easy magnet craft! A climbing ladybug! Recycle plastic wrap and toilet paper cores! #crafts #handmadeToys #summerVacationCrafts #recycledCrafts

Climbing ladybug

Climbing up! Sliding down! A freely moving ladybug is so much fun! Here’s an idea for a climbing ladybug.

For children, ladybugs are familiar insects they see in picture books or on walks, right? This unique idea makes it look like the ladybug is playfully roaming around.

What you’ll need: round magnets, a toilet paper tube, a plastic wrap tube, a half-sphere of Styrofoam, wooden sticks or chopsticks, construction paper, pens, scissors, and double-sided tape.

Give it a try!

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[Childcare] Fun to make! Recommended spring craft ideas (181–190)

My one-piece dress

[Kindergartens/Daycare] May theme based on a popular picture book! “My Dress” painting and craft

My one-piece dress

Why not have fun trying a painting activity inspired by the popular children’s picture book “My Dress”? You will need rabbit parts, a triangle-shaped piece of paper, bottle caps with felt attached, paint, glue, and a pen.

First, stick felt in any shape you like onto a plastic bottle cap.

Dip the felt in paint and stamp patterns onto the triangle paper.

Once the paint is dry, glue on the face and hands.

Draw the face, add decorations around it, and you’re done! Make it colorful with your favorite colors.

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Paper and yarn garland

Dandelion flowers and butterflies made with yarn and paper (with audio commentary)

Paper and yarn garland

Decorate with yarn dandelions and bring a touch of spring to your room! Wrap yellow or white yarn around four fingers, slide the bundle off gently, and tie the center with a short piece of yarn.

Snip the loops on both the top and bottom, then trim and fluff it into a round dandelion shape to finish.

Make leaves from construction paper and attach them to the dandelion with glue.

If you insert the leaves slightly into the dandelion as you glue, it will look more realistic.

They’re cute on walls or hallway displays, and also charming when hung as decorations.

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