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 (31–40)

Tulips made with sensory play

Here’s a fun sensory play idea using paint to make tulips! You’ll need light blue construction paper, white construction paper, crayons, watercolor paints, a zip-top plastic bag or plastic wrap, scissors, and glue.

Squeeze the paint straight from the tube onto the white paper, then place it inside the zip-top bag.

Spread the paint with your fingers over the bag; the paint will squish and stretch nicely.

Kids will love the cool, smooth feel and watching the colors blend together! Once the painted white paper is dry, cut it into tulip shapes and glue them onto the light blue paper.

Finish by drawing stems and leaves with crayons!

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Let’s decorate with springtime natural items!

@hoikushisatomi
Capture spring: Try preserving flowers and plants as a piece while they’re still beautiful! Note: They’ll last on display for about 2–3 weeks. If you want them to last longer, press the flowers first and then create your piece!work #LifeWithKids #NurseryTeacherDailyLife Cute #crafts #diy Nursery teacher / Childcare worker Translation
3:03 PM – Sharou

Let’s decorate with springtime treasures! Here’s a perfect spring craft you can make by collecting fallen flowers and wild grasses on a walk.

First, place a sheet of cooking paper (parchment paper) down and put a frame-shaped piece of construction paper on top.

Apply OPP tape (clear packaging tape) over the opening.

Peel the tape, flip it sticky-side up, and arrange the flowers you picked.

Seal it with another layer of OPP tape and trim off the excess—done! It will keep for about two to three weeks, so if you want it to last longer, it’s best to press the flowers first and then make it.

Decorating the paper frame is super cute, too, so give it a try!

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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.

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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.

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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!

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

[Craft Play] Where the Dinosaurs Are

[Practical Guide] Where the Dinosaurs Are (Younger Class, May – Classroom Environment)

[Craft Play] Where the Dinosaurs Are

April 17 is known as Dinosaur Day, commemorating the date when American zoologist Roy Chapman Andrews, who helped spark dinosaur research, set out for the Gobi Desert.

To celebrate Dinosaur Day, here’s a craft project that lets you enjoy dinosaur motifs using cardboard, paper, and paint.

Imagine creating a space where dinosaurs live: make the dinosaurs three-dimensional out of cardboard, and paint their backgrounds on paper.

Use picture books and other references to imagine and build a place where your cardboard dinosaurs can live happily.

It’s also fun to have each person think about how to create the background and which dinosaurs to arrange.

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Playing with colored water using flowers

“Let’s Play with Colored Water Using Flowers!” [Age 3] | Minami Senrioka Yui-en [Daycare/Kindergarten Event]

Playing with colored water using flowers

Let’s enjoy playing with colored water using natural flowers.

In spring, we have more chances to encounter various plants and flowers, and we might find dandelions or white clover while out on a walk.

First, go outside and gather wildflowers along the roadside.

Collecting both flowers you know and those you don’t can deepen your interest even more.

Put the collected flowers into a bag, add water, tie the bag tightly, and knead it from the outside.

You’ll see the color from the flowers bleed into the water.

Enjoy observing the changes in color to the end—what colors appear, and what color you get when you mix different flowers.

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