[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.
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[For 2-year-olds] Collection of craft ideas for winter childcare (21–30)
Painting with paints and cotton swabs
Let’s try painting with tempera and cotton swabs! If we just say that, kids might ask, “But how do we paint?” Instead of regular drawing, make use of the cotton swabs’ unique tip and create pictures by connecting dots.
Put undiluted paint or a slightly thick mixture onto a palette.
Dip the tip of a cotton swab into the paint and make dots as if you’re stamping.
For two-year-olds, it may be easier if there’s a light sketch to follow.
Try winter motifs like Christmas trees or snowmen and have fun!
Make it with straw stamps! Snowman craft
Let’s make a snowman wall art with straw stamps.
First, an adult draws large and small circles on construction paper.
Using a plate as a guide is fun, too.
Then, draw a snowman’s hat on colored construction paper or origami paper.
Have the child cut it out.
Glue the cut-out pieces onto a darker-colored construction paper.
Once they’re glued, draw the snowman’s face with crayons.
For the straw stamp, cut slits into the end of a straw and spread them out so it forms a flower shape.
Dip it in white paint and dab it on—this creates lovely snowflake-like prints.
Let’s roll and make a snowman!
Crumpling tissue paper and sticking on stickers is so much fun! How about making a snowman craft that’s perfect for winter? First, have the children crumple white tissue paper into balls in whatever size they like.
You’ll also use tissue paper torn into strips; if that step is tricky, an adult can prepare it in advance.
Put the crumpled tissue paper and the torn strips together into a clear plastic bag, then shape it into an oval.
Tie the middle with a chenille stem (pipe cleaner) to form a snowman shape.
Use round stickers for the face, make a bucket hat from construction paper, and attach it with double-sided tape.
If you want to hang it, punch a hole in the bucket, and thread a string through.
Newspaper Rip-Rip! Eurhythmics with a Snow Song
Here’s a eurhythmics activity that starts with a newspaper play element.
Give each child a sheet of newspaper and, at the cue of “1, 2, 3,” have them tear it into pieces.
Once it’s torn into small bits, pretend they’re snow and have fun letting it fall from above to the tune of the children’s song “Yuki” (Snow).
After the eurhythmics session, pack the used newspaper pieces into a clear bag to make a snowman.
It’s a winter-themed idea from start to finish, so please enjoy it with the children.
Spinning top made from a paper plate
Here’s a spinning-top craft idea you can make with just one paper plate and two plastic bottle caps.
Spinning tops are a classic New Year’s toy.
The real ones use a string to spin, which can be tough for two-year-olds, but this version is easy to play with.
The steps are simple: draw patterns on the paper plate with crayons, then tape a cap to the center on the front and another to the center on the back.
Kids can draw with crayons, and two-year-olds can also stick on torn origami paper or stickers.
Make your very own top and have fun playing!
Fun for childcare! Indoor winter activities
Let me introduce some winter indoor activities that include crafts.
You can roll up cotton to look like fake snow, or put it into a plastic kiddie pool and play dynamically as if it were a bubble bath.
Use stamps on black construction paper to represent snowflakes, then glue origami penguins on top to create a winter-themed wall display.
A glowing tunnel made by sticking phosphorescent stickers onto cardboard is a space where kids will want to stay forever.
Why not fully enjoy winter indoors while incorporating children’s free ideas along the way?
Electric Shock Demon
When it comes to crafts using origami and crayons that are perfect for two-year-olds, the “Rip-Rip Oni” is highly recommended.
Since Setsubun season brings out the ogre theme, why not try making an ogre with origami this time? Tear origami paper into pieces and paste them onto a backing sheet, then draw the hair with crayons.
Attach horns and facial parts made from construction paper, and finally use a cotton swab as a stamp to dot the beans—then it’s done.
Tearing paper and freely drawing with crayons will let each child’s personality shine, making for truly lovely creations.
It’s a winter origami idea that encourages children’s free expression.
