Lovely childcare

[Childcare] Fun Spring Activities: Ideas for Nature, Movement, and Crafts

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, when the warm sunlight feels pleasant, colorful grasses and flowers bloom and insects become active, giving children more chances to go outdoors and connect with nature.

So this time, we’re introducing fun play ideas that are perfect for spring.

We’ve gathered lots of engaging ideas that spark children’s curiosity—from nature-based activities unique to spring to fingerplays, eurhythmics, and crafts.

As a new school term begins, let’s incorporate plenty of play so children can spend each day freely and joyfully.

Let’s enjoy spring to the fullest!

Please note: In this text, items made by the children are treated as “works,” so we refer to them as “seisaku (制作).”

[Childcare] Fun Spring Activities: Ideas for Nature, Physical Play, and Crafts (41–50)

Paper Sumo (Tonton Paper Sumo)

Tonton Paper Sumo Wrestling

Paper Sumo (Tonton Paper Sumo)

Let’s play a nostalgic game: paper sumo! The video uses a ready-made paper sumo set, but you can also make one with origami.

Create wrestlers out of origami paper and use an empty box as the ring.

At the cue “Hakke-yooi, nokotta!” lightly tap the box to move your wrestler.

Depending on where and how hard you tap, the wrestlers may clash, topple over, or even go out of the ring.

The key to paper sumo is mastering the force and the way you move them—so gather everyone and give it a try!

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Eurhythmics play

[May Rhythmic Class: Let’s Play with Our Bodies!] For ages 3–5. Get moving with hoop play! Perfect for kids with extra energy ✨ Great for relieving children’s stress ✨ Music play, rhythm play—also usable in childcare settings.

Eurhythmics play

Let’s have fun moving our bodies with hula hoops! Here are some ideas for Eurhythmics (music and movement) activities.

Since children can showcase their daily activities at sports days or performance showcases, both parents and kids will be delighted! How about organizing a Eurhythmics recital using the familiar activities you practice regularly? By moving joyfully with hula hoops, children can not only develop a sense of rhythm but also improve their concentration and stamina.

Learning through play can help nurture a positive attitude toward music and physical activity!

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Movable dandelion doll

[Movable] Hello♪ Tanpopo-san 🌻 #diy #easycraft #April #Daiso #handmade #craft #handmade #nurseryteacher #shorts #play #communication

Movable dandelion doll

Let’s make something with familiar materials! I’ll show you an idea for a movable dandelion doll.

You’ll need a straw, two yellow food cups, a craft paper cup, decorative materials like stickers, craft glue, felt, and round stickers or construction paper.

First, punch a hole in a food cup and insert a straw with slits cut into its tip.

Draw a face on a round sticker or a piece of construction paper and stick it in the center of the flower.

Decorate the craft paper cup, make a hole, and insert the straw—then it’s done.

Adding felt leaves makes it even cuter.

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Spring flowers made with blow painting

Blow painting with straws! Spring craft flower drawings

Spring flowers made with blow painting

We’ll introduce a spring-themed craft using blow painting to create spring flowers.

Prepare drawing paper, crayons, paint, brushes, and water.

Draw the leaves and stems of the flowers on the paper, and decide where the flowers will go.

Drop some paint for the flower color slightly above the crayon-drawn stems, then blow through a straw to spread the paint.

The paint will scatter around, forming petal-like shapes and delightful, unexpected patterns.

When blowing through the straw, keep it a little distance from the paint and blow with some force—this is the key.

Give this a try for your spring art project!

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Let’s head out with a field guide!

[For 5-year-olds] Let’s take a picture book and go find spring!

Let's head out with a field guide!

Why not head out for a walk with a field guide in hand? In spring, you can spot things like flowers in full bloom and insects becoming more active.

Take your field guide along and look up the flowers and insects you find along the way.

Discover daisies in the flowerbeds and ladybugs on trees for a delightful time.

Children can show each other the bugs they catch, pick flowers, and find natural treasures unique to spring, helping them feel the season.

With so many flowers and insects to discover, the kids are sure to be thrilled.

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