[Childcare] Fun Spring Activities: Ideas for Nature, Movement, and Crafts
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).”
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[Childcare] Fun Spring Activities: Ideas for Nature, Physical Play, and Crafts (41–50)
What we can learn about the global environment from picking up litter
April 22 is International Earth Day, a time to think about our planet and take action.
Many events are held across Japan, and litter-picking is a great option that’s easy for children to join! As you pick up trash along your usual walking route, you’ll start to see the familiar path in a new light.
Using picture books or panel theater to explain concretely how trash affects the Earth can also give children a chance to think about the environment.
Dandelion Play
These are dandelion-themed activities that bloom in the warm spring season.
They’re fun in places like the playground or on field trips, too.
The first is a ring-toss game where you throw loops made from vines or ropes toward dandelions.
It’s also great to boost the game aspect by competing to see how many dandelions land inside the rings.
The second is an activity where you make a waterwheel using dandelions.
Cut slits into both ends of a dandelion stem and place it in water.
When the slit parts start to open, thread a twig or similar through the stem and let water flow over it.
These are spring activities that create opportunities to connect with rich nature.
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!
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.
Hand play ‘The Flower Smiled’
How about enjoying a hand-play activity to the spring-perfect children’s song “Ohanaga Waratta,” which is often used for kindergarten entrance ceremonies? The choreography is very simple and cute—make a flower with your hands, then open them wide with a pop.
Playing together with children who may be nervous in a new environment, or having teachers perform it, might help ease their tension a little.
It could also convey that kindergarten or nursery school is a fun place.
Please consider it as a performance option.
Spring snack making
Here’s a spring snack-making craft activity.
Prepare construction paper, paint, tissue paper, pastel crayons, and paper cups to make a delicious-looking strawberry cake.
Paint the paper cup to use it as the cake base.
Tear, crumple, and glue the tissue paper to look like cream.
Add strawberries made from construction paper to finish! Gluing the tissue paper with some volume gives it a three-dimensional look, making it resemble a real cake.
Cutting and gluing can also be good practice for using glue and scissors!
Let’s look for spring! Making a magnifying glass
Here’s how to make a magnifying glass that’s perfect for spring walks and bug hunting.
Prepare two pieces of thick paper with circular cutouts, construction paper, clear cellophane, tape, and colored pens.
Fold a rectangular piece of construction paper to add strength and shape it into the handle of the magnifying glass.
Attach the handle firmly to the bottom of one of the circular cutouts so it won’t come off.
Place the cellophane over the cutout and stick it down, then trim off any excess with scissors.
Finally, glue the second circular cutout on top, and your magnifying glass is complete.
Use colored pens to decorate it and make your own original magnifying glass!
