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 activity ideas for childcare (51–60)

A reindeer made with just one fold

[World’s easiest & cute] Reindeer origami | Christmas decoration | Kindergarten and daycare craft activity | DIY craft

A reindeer made with just one fold

Introducing an origami reindeer that’s finished with just one fold.

As the animal that pulls Santa’s sleigh, reindeer are perfect for getting into the Christmas spirit—make them together with kids! Fold a sheet of origami paper into a triangle, then stick on eye and nose stickers to complete the reindeer’s face.

Attach it to a template or backing sheet to create an adorable reindeer.

You can also draw your own illustrations to match the facial parts on the origami.

It’s a fun idea for kids, with simple steps like sticking stickers and making a single fold.

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A Santa Claus you can make with just three folds

[Finger Dexterity Learning] Easy Santa Origami for Beginners | Perfect for Preschool and Kindergarten Crafts! Only 3 Folds #shorts

A Santa Claus you can make with just three folds

A simple Christmas craft I recommend to enjoy with one-year-olds is a Santa Claus made with just three folds.

Open a square of origami paper that you’ve folded into a triangle, then fold in from the right and left to complete the Santa.

Use pens or stickers to draw the face and decorate the hat however you like.

Kids can have fun participating by drawing expressions and adding stickers! It’s a cute, Christmas-themed Santa origami that also helps little ones practice using their fingers.

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[Paper Plate] Santa Claus with a Paper Plate Beard

[Paper Plate Craft] Santa Claus with a Paper Plate Beard / Paper Plate Santa Claus

[Paper Plate] Santa Claus with a Paper Plate Beard

This is a cute Santa made with a paper plate! The rim of the paper plate is used to look like Santa’s beard.

Have the one-year-olds try the step of drawing Santa’s face with crayons.

Many children may not be used to handling crayons yet, so please proceed while the teacher keeps a close eye on them.

Also, make the Santa hat out of origami and attach the face to the paper plate together with the teacher.

When the adorable Santa is finished, the children will be delighted.

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Rolling snowman

[Preschool Craft] Winter Craft ♪ Cute Rolling Snowman | Snowman with Toilet Paper

Rolling snowman

This is a rolling snowman made from a toilet paper roll and origami.

Cut a sheet of white origami paper in half, apply glue to one edge of each piece, and attach them to a toilet paper roll that’s been cut in half.

Fold any excess paper inward.

Make two identical pieces, then stick them together with double-sided tape to create the base of a cute two-tiered snowman.

Place a hat made from a triangle of origami on top, add the facial features with stickers or a marker, and it’s done! By playing with colors and parts, you can adapt it into all kinds of characters.

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[For 1-year-olds] Fun to make! A collection of winter craft activity ideas useful for childcare (61–70)

A three-dimensional snowman made from tissues

Let’s try making a semi-3D snowman using tissue or crepe paper.

It’s a fun craft where you get to pack the snowman tightly.

First, fold the bottom corner of a plastic bag and secure it with tape.

Next, together with the children, crumple white crepe paper or tissues and stuff them into the plastic bag.

Once it’s filled, tape the bag closed so the opening won’t come undone.

Then lightly tie the middle with a pipe cleaner to shape it like a snowman.

Finally, use construction paper for a hat and round stickers to create the snowman’s face, and you’re done! You can also have the kids draw on the hat with crayons.

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Daruma with decalcomania

Here’s a craft idea for making a Daruma using the decalcomania technique.

First, fold a sheet of red construction paper in half, then apply paints in colors you like on just one side.

Once the paint is on, close the paper along the fold and rub it with your hand like an iron to transfer the paint to the other side.

That’s the decalcomania part.

After the paint dries, place a Daruma template on top, trace the outline with a pen, and cut out the Daruma shape with scissors.

Finally, add the facial features to complete your Daruma! You can also glue the Daruma onto a backing sheet and decorate it with origami to make it look like the cover of the “Daruma-san” picture book series—it turns out really cute.

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Decalcomania gloves

Gloves made using the decalcomania technique give off a warm feel, so they’re highly recommended.

First, enjoy decalcomania together with the children.

On one side of a sheet of drawing paper with a center crease, dab drops of paint here and there.

Using plenty of paint will result in a beautiful finish.

Next, fold the paper in half and press firmly with your fist.

One-year-olds don’t have much strength yet, so the teacher should assist them.

After opening the paper and letting it dry, fold it back in half and cut it into the shape of a glove.

Attach cotton to the wrist area, stick it onto a backing sheet, and it’s complete!

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