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

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.

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!

Paper Sumo (Tonton Paper Sumo)

Tonton Paper Sumo Wrestling

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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hiyoko sensei

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Wavy 3D butterfly with fluttering wings

[Craft / Making] “Wings-Wobbling 3D Butterfly” Wall Decoration Craft – Preschool/Childcare Craft, Elderly Care Recreation

The wings sway gently and look so cute! Here’s how to make a 3D butterfly that’s perfect for spring.

First, dip a plastic bottle cap in paint and stamp it onto thin strips of colored construction paper.

You can use both sides of the cap for different effects.

Next, cut out the butterfly’s wings—which will also form its body—using scissors.

Stamp the wings as well, then fold them down the middle.

After that, bring the ends of the first stamped thin strip together to create a 3D wing shape.

Make two of these and attach them to the body wings with double-sided tape.

Finish by adding antennae with a pipe cleaner, and you’re done! These are great for wall decorations too, so try making them with the kids.

Bug-catching game

Looks fun! …but the cleanup seems tough. #ChildcareWorker #AfterSchoolDayService #AichiPrefecture #TokaiCity #FreeSmile #Recreation #Play #Fluttering #Origami

Here’s a bug-catching game you play with a butterfly net.

The rules are very simple: cut origami paper into small pieces to make confetti, put it in a bowl, and get ready.

The person dropping the confetti stands on a raised platform and sprinkles the paper down.

The child below holds a butterfly net and tries to catch the confetti with the net.

It’s a fun game where you watch the confetti fall from above and move the hand-held net to catch it inside.

Try it in a spacious area and be sure to play safely!

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mayumi

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Let’s explore spring vegetables

@morinonakamahoikuen

Let's get in touch with spring vegetables!#NurserySchoolFoodEducation#SpringVegetables

♬ Cooking Time – Lux-Inspira

Also great for food education! Here are some ideas for exploring spring vegetables.

Many childcare centers incorporate food education activities into their monthly events, but April 19 is Food Education Day! How about expanding the time for food education activities and making it even more fun? Setting the theme to spring vegetables is recommended because children can experience seasonal produce with all five senses.

For example, a whole bamboo shoot with the skin on before cooking is quite impressive, isn’t it? It would be great to carefully record the children’s reactions and share them with their parents.

Flower bed making

Creating a flowerbed is a great opportunity to get your hands in the soil and discover insects and other creatures.

In spring, try replanting the flowers in the bed together with the children! Choose a sunny spot with good air circulation and start planting.

Flowers like marigolds and sunflowers are especially hardy, making them easy and recommended for kids to grow.

When the children are planting, be sure to carefully check that there are no glass shards in the soil.

Assigning roles such as a watering duty might help nurture a sense of responsibility through caring for the plants.

Experience the natural cycle through rapeseed blossoms

In spring, the yellow rapeseed flowers (nanohana) bloom beautifully, don’t they? In April, we recommend a hands-on experience with the natural cycle using rapeseed flowers.

First, dry the plants thoroughly until their color changes, then collect the seeds—you’ll find lots of small black seeds inside.

In the end, they’re transformed into rapeseed oil! It could become an event that inspires people to think about global environmental issues and the SDGs.

Using picture books to share stories about environmental topics is also recommended.

Be sure to try it with the children!