Lovely childcare

[For 1-year-olds] Fun to make! A collection of winter craft activity ideas for use in childcare

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.

Winter is full of exciting events for children, like Christmas, New Year’s, Setsubun, and Valentine’s Day.

Many teachers are probably looking to enjoy winter-themed crafts together with their children.

In this article, we’ll introduce winter craft ideas for one-year-olds.

Along with ideas tied to seasonal events and holidays, we also feature motifs unique to winter—like snowmen and mittens—that are rich in seasonal atmosphere.

We’ve gathered craft ideas that use unique techniques to keep one-year-olds fully engaged, so we hope you enjoy creating together this winter.

Since the children’s creations are treated as works, we refer to them as “seisaku” (productions/crafts) in the main text.

[For 1-year-olds] Fun to make! A collection of winter craft play ideas you can use in childcare (1–10)

A spinning top made from paper plates

https://www.tiktok.com/@chooobo2/video/7312024440630512897

Here’s how to make a fun spinning top out of a paper plate, perfect for 1-year-olds.

You’ll need: 1 paper plate, crayons, pens, 2 bottle caps, and clear tape.

First, let your child freely draw on the front of the paper plate with crayons.

You can also use pens, stickers, stamps, or origami paper for extra fun.

Once the drawing is done, tape a plastic bottle cap to the center of the plate.

Attach another bottle cap to the center on the other side, and it’s complete.

Bottle caps fit nicely in little hands, making the top very easy to spin—highly recommended!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Henshin Mitten

[Handmade Toy] Easy! Transforming Mitten 🧤✨ [Winter Craft]

Henshin Mitten

Introducing a simple mitten craft that’s perfect for winter and easy for 1-year-olds to make.

Materials: two colors of construction paper, wood glue, patterned origami paper, round stickers, crayons, and masking tape.

First, prepare the base by stacking the two colors of construction paper, cutting them into a mitten shape, and gluing them together with wood glue.

From here, make it together with your child.

Cut the patterned origami and glue it onto one side.

On the back, add a face using round stickers and crayons, then attach the body with masking tape, and it’s done! It also makes a cute decoration, so give it a try.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Snowman made from a plastic bottle

[Easy Winter Craft] Let’s make and display it♪ A plastic-bottle snowman ⛄️ #PreschoolCraft #NurseryTeacher #TeachingIdeas #AspiringNurseryTeacher #TeacherLife #WithKids #PlasticBottleCraft #PlasticBottle

Snowman made from a plastic bottle

Let me show you how to make a simple and cute snowman using a plastic bottle! Even 1-year-olds can have fun making it.

What you need: an empty plastic bottle, cotton, a pen, round stickers, thinly cut felt, and wood glue.

First, stuff the plastic bottle tightly with cotton.

Once it’s filled, put on the cap and draw the snowman’s eyes with a pen.

Using round stickers for the eyes is also recommended.

Add the nose and the buttons on the body with round stickers, then wrap the thinly cut felt around like a scarf and secure it with wood glue to finish.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

[For 1-Year-Olds] Fun to Make! A Collection of Winter Craft Activity Ideas for Use in Childcare (11–20)

Penguin craft made with footprints

Penguin Footprint Art Project: Perfect for Wall Displays for 1–3-Year-Olds!

Penguin craft made with footprints

Let me introduce a cute penguin wall display made from footprints! You’ll need white paint or an ink pad, construction paper, a pencil, origami paper, eye and beak stickers, and glue.

First, make footprints of both feet using either the paint or the ink pad; if you use paint, keep the water to a minimum.

Applying the paint directly to the feet is also recommended.

Once dry, cut the footprints into penguin shapes.

Next, stick on the penguins’ eyes and beaks.

Have the children tear origami paper into pieces sized to resemble ice, and glue them to the bottom part of a construction paper sheet in the color of their choice.

Finally, glue the footprint penguins onto the upper part of the construction paper—and you’re done!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Colorful snowman with a sponge stencil

Let’s make a cute snowman using a stencil with a pouncing brush.

Stenciling is fun like stamping, and many children will get absorbed in the activity.

First, prepare by cutting out a snowman template.

Place the snowman on white cardstock and add color from above using the pouncing brush stencil.

Limiting the palette to two or three colors will help one-year-olds stay focused and enjoy the activity.

Remove the snowman template, then attach twig arms, a face, and a bucket hat to finish!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Fluffy, puffy sheep

Here’s a craft idea for making a sheep with cute, fluffy fur.

You’ll need a paper plate, cotton balls, construction paper, crayons, and glue.

First, use crayons in various colors to draw spirals on the construction paper.

Be careful not to let the colors blend.

Once you’ve drawn the circles, rub them with the cotton to transfer the color onto the cotton.

After making several cotton pieces in different colors, glue them onto the paper plate to cover it, and finally attach the sheep parts to finish.

It’s a lovely idea with soft, gentle colors.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Salt painting

Sparkling fun! How to make salt paintings [Nursery/Kindergarten]

Salt painting

How about trying sparkling and cute salt painting? It’s a unique craft that uses real salt, so it’s sure to capture children’s interest! First, draw a New Year–themed design on construction paper with white school glue, then sprinkle plenty of salt over it.

Be sure the teacher closely supervises this step.

After shaking off the excess salt, let the children enjoy painting with water-diluted watercolor.

Once it’s thoroughly dry, it’s finished.

Salt paintings have a great three-dimensional look and strong presence, making them perfect as a January wall display.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem