![[For 2-year-olds] A collection of craft ideas useful for winter childcare](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/vKztOEpENyg/maxresdefault.webp)
[For 2-year-olds] A collection of craft ideas useful for winter childcare
Winter is full of events like Christmas and New Year’s, and it’s a season children in daycare look forward to.
When the cold of winter arrives, many of you may be looking for craft ideas that kids can focus on indoors.
In this article, we introduce many winter craft ideas recommended for two-year-olds.
Try making projects that cover a wide range of themes—pasting construction paper and stickers, drawing pictures, and trying fun techniques.
Because the children’s creations are treated as works (sakuhin), we refer to them as “seisaku” (productions) in the text.
[For 2-Year-Olds] A Roundup of Craft Ideas for Winter Childcare (1–10)
A snowman swaying gently
For children living in areas with little snow, snowmen might be something they dream about.
Here, we’ll introduce a wobbling snowman that’s fun even after you make it.
You’ll need a paper plate, a round piece of white construction paper for the face, a hat and mittens made from thick paper, double-sided tape, and pens for drawing the facial features.
Prepare hats and mittens in various colors so the children can choose their favorites.
To make it, fold the paper plate in half to form the body, then attach the head, hat, and mittens, draw the face, and you’re done.
Be sure to watch the size of the head so the snowman doesn’t tip over.
Snowflake stamp
Let’s make snowflake stamps! Attach a cap to the drinking spout of a lactic acid bacteria beverage container and secure it with tape.
Cut impact-absorbing cushion material to the size of the cap, draw a snowflake on it, cut it out, and stick it onto the cap.
You can find this cushioning material at 100-yen shops and similar stores.
Choosing one with a sticker backing makes the job easier.
Have the two-year-olds use this stamp to stamp snowflakes onto construction paper.
Be sure to tell them that snowflakes come in many different shapes.
roly-poly toy
An okiagari-koboshi is a traditional toy from Fukushima Prefecture, known as a lucky charm because it pops back up even when knocked over.
Here, we’ll show you how to make an okiagari-koboshi using a capsule toy container and marbles! Place a few marbles inside the capsule as weights and tape them to the bottom.
After putting the lid on, wrap tape around the outside as well.
Then attach a face made from construction paper, and you’re done! Try making versions themed after Santa, snowmen, or reindeer.
Have the children draw the faces with crayons or help with the step of attaching the faces.
Knit cap made with lacing
When it gets cold, knit hats really come in handy, don’t they? Cut construction paper into the shape of a hat, then use a hole punch around the edges to make holes for threading string.
Using two colors of yarn adds a festive touch, so it’s recommended.
For the pom-pom on top, wrap yarn around a cut piece of cardboard about 20 times, tie the center of the yarn, remove it from the cardboard, then cut the loops to turn it into a pom-pom.
Trim the yarn to adjust the length so the pom-pom becomes nice and round.
Once the pom-pom is done, glue it onto the construction paper and you’re finished! It’s a perfect craft for winter.
Snowman made with sticker pasting
When it snows, it makes you want to play in the snow and build a snowman, doesn’t it? For this snowman, you’ll make it by cutting white construction paper into circles.
Let’s glue two of the cut-out circles onto a backing sheet to create the snowman.
For the face and eyes, crayons, colored pens, or round stickers are recommended.
Try decorating around the snowman with star stickers or sparkly stickers.
Reading winter-themed picture books or enjoying fun winter activities can help children expand their image of winter and make it even more enjoyable.
Angel made with tissue paper
https://www.tiktok.com/@taisougakuen_osaka_ikuno/video/7309411208744930562Children around age two love the soft feel of tissue paper, don’t they? Let’s use tissue paper to make a party hat.
Cut construction paper into a party-hat shape and stick on crumpled tissue paper.
Decorate with round stickers and sparkly tape, then roll the paper into a cone and secure it with double-sided tape.
Add a self-portrait to the hat to complete your original party hat.
It’ll be even cuter if you attach angel wings to their back.
For drawing faces, it’s recommended that two-year-olds use crayons or colored markers.
Warm gloves made with decals (decalcomania)
https://www.tiktok.com/@hoiku.labo/video/7307518921660189953Art projects using paints are popular with children, aren’t they? For this paint-based decalcomania activity, drip paint onto drawing paper and fold the paper.
The key to decalcomania is to fold and then unfold the paper before the paint dries.
Once it’s dry, cut it into the shape of a glove with scissors, tape on some yarn, and you’re done.
With decalcomania, you can’t see what pattern the paint has made until you open the paper—that element of surprise is part of the fun.
Be sure to try making it together with the children and enjoy it!