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 (1–10)

Color search card

In the springtime, when flowers and plants burst into vibrant color, a perfect activity is a color-hunt card game.

Hand out cards with colors like red, blue, and green, and have the children find items that match.

As they collect dandelions, cherry blossoms, and more, they’ll really get a feel for the spring season.

If bringing the actual items is difficult, they can take photos or report their finds to the teacher instead.

It’s an idea that’s especially fun in spring, when colorful hues fill the town after the cold winter.

Why not try it at a kindergarten or nursery school park, or along a walking path?

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Soap bubble play

[1- and 2-year-olds] Let’s play outside to our hearts’ content! Bubble play!

Soap bubble play

Wrapped in the warm, pleasant weather and with more days at comfortable temperatures, spring makes you want to head outdoors and play to your heart’s content with the kids, doesn’t it? How about incorporating bubble play into those outdoor activities? Fill a basin with plenty of bubble solution and use things like fans or hangers to enjoy making big, dynamic bubbles.

In the spring sunlight, the bubbles will likely sparkle and shine.

I can just picture the children happily running around with the bubbles.

Give it a try for some inspiration!

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Churippu sharippuchildren’s song

tulip sheriff

Churippu sharippu warabeuta

In spring, many children start a new life in a new environment.

If you’re looking for fun activities to enjoy while getting to know the friends and teachers you’ll be spending the next year with, this is a must-see.

This traditional children’s song game, “Tulip Sharip,” helps kids learn the names of their friends and teachers through play.

There are various ways to play: the child whose name is called can sit in the middle of the circle, walk around, and more.

Try incorporating it in a way that suits the children’s ages.

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[Childcare] Fun Spring Activities: Ideas for Nature, Physical Play, and Crafts (11–20)

5 Spring Hand Play Activities

Nursery school: Here are 5 spring fingerplay songs that are guaranteed to be a hit.

5 Spring Hand Play Activities

Here are some hand-play ideas themed around songs that capture the warm, gentle feeling of spring.

These spring activities can be enjoyed calmly indoors at nurseries and kindergartens, so why not try incorporating them into your childcare setting? Sing songs that evoke rich natural scenery by expressing spring-blooming flowers and living creatures with your hands.

It’s also recommended to try songs that are sung facing each other, which are perfect for moments of meeting new friends.

Enjoy springtime hand-play with unique movements that match the lively rhythms of these songs.

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Dandelions in a wet-on-wet painting

Let’s make a familiar spring flower—the dandelion—using the wet-on-wet “bleeding” art technique.

This technique uses water-based pens and water-resistant paper.

Shoji paper or coffee filters are recommended.

Cut the paper into a circle and draw patterns on it with pens in any colors you like.

After you finish drawing, spritz it with water; the colors will gently bleed and spread.

It’s beautiful and fun to watch the colors blend together, whether you plan your design or draw freely.

Attach a base for the dandelion flower and a stem, and you’re done.

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one bamboo shoot

[Childcare] A Single Bamboo Shoot [Published in PriPri May 2020 Issue]

one bamboo shoot

Takenoko Ippon is a game themed around bamboo shoots, a spring seasonal ingredient.

Players split into two roles: the demon who pulls up the bamboo shoot, and the bamboo shoots themselves.

The game starts with the demon’s call.

In response to the chant “Give me XX bamboo shoots,” the players acting as bamboo shoots react.

If the demon manages to pull someone out of the line and separate them, they lead that person back to their side.

Children can enjoy a variety of body movements, like clinging to or being carried by teachers or friends.

Try this unique game both indoors and outdoors.

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Spring Birdwatching

Spring wild birds gather! An explanatory video even beginners can understand

Spring Birdwatching

When spring comes, you’ll spot birds more often on your walks.

When you hear birdsong, many kids will wonder, “What kind of bird is that?” So why not head out on a nice day to look for wild birds? Birds gather not only in nature-rich areas but also in urban parks.

In spring, migratory birds come to Japan to lay eggs and raise their young.

If you happen to see them building nests, you’re in luck.

It’s a great chance to learn that, besides the familiar birds you usually see, there are many different kinds out there.

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