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)

sparkling teru-teru-bōzu

Let’s make colorful teru-teru bozu and display them by the window.

Prepare several types of cellophane pre-cut to suitable sizes, and stick the colored cellophane onto a clear file.

Next, create the outline of the teru-teru bozu’s body with construction paper, paste it on top, and cut along the body’s outline.

Finally, attach the teru-teru bozu’s face.

If you have the children draw the faces or make them with stickers, each one will have its own personality.

If you decorate with these lovely light-transmitting teru-teru bozu, the weather just might clear up.

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Papercut of a dandelion

Let’s make it with scissors! Here are some cut-paper dandelion ideas.

You’ll need yellow origami paper, glue or double-sided tape, scissors, and a compass.

Using the yellow origami paper, cut out three sizes of dandelions—large, medium, and small.

Layering the three sizes will give the petals a three-dimensional look and create a gorgeous finish.

If you also cut green origami paper to make the stem and leaves, it ties everything together beautifully.

Give it a try!

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Puchi-puchi butterfly

As spring arrives, we see more butterflies in the garden, don’t we? Let’s make butterflies using bubble wrap, the cushioning material, to welcome spring! We’ll use the bubble wrap to create the wings.

Cut the bubble wrap into rectangles and draw butterfly patterns on it with a permanent marker.

It’s fun to draw on either the bumpy side or the flat underside.

Pinch the center tightly with a chenille stem (pipe cleaner) to form the body, then make the butterfly’s torso and face from colored construction paper and glue them on to finish.

You can also use the pipe cleaner to create the antennae.

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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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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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Colorful Strawberry

[Spring Craft] Cute Bubble Wrap Stamps! Colorful Strawberries [Daycare/Kindergarten]

Colorful Strawberry

If you’re looking to incorporate lots of spring vibes into your crafts, this is a must-see.

We’ll introduce a cute, colorful strawberry craft.

First, cut red construction paper into the shape of a strawberry.

Next, use about three paint colors of your choice to paint a bubble wrap sheet.

Finally, place the bubble wrap on top of the strawberry-shaped paper and stamp it, then glue on the calyx made from green construction paper, and you’re done.

You’ll end up with lots of colorful strawberries that showcase each child’s individuality.

It’s easy to make, so give it a try!

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