[For 3-year-olds] Winter craft activities and bulletin board decoration ideas for use in childcare
In winter, there are many ways to have fun with children—big events like Christmas, New Year’s, and Setsubun, as well as chances to experience the changing climate and nature through snow and ice.
Many teachers may be thinking about incorporating that wintry feeling into their art and craft activities as well.
So this time, we’re introducing craft ideas to make in winter with three-year-olds.
We’ve gathered a wide range of ideas, from those related to winter events to themes unique to the season—like snowmen and mittens.
We’ve selected activities that will spark children’s interest and curiosity, so please try using them in your childcare setting.
Because the children’s creations are treated as works, we use the term “制作” (seisaku, ‘creation/work’) in the text.
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[Age 3] Winter craft activities and bulletin board ideas you can use in childcare (71–80)
Shishimai (lion dance) made with cardboard stamps
@job_it Good evening! This is the Childcare Sommelier 🎀 Collaborative craft with 🦁 @Lion-sensei! This time, we’re creating New Year’s-style patterns from familiar items... 🎍 Items to prepare: • Construction paper • Paint • Cardboard Please give it a try! #ChildcareSommelier #PreschoolTeacherJobChangeThere is a nursery teacher.Typical things about nursery teachers/kindergarten teachers and kindergartensIntent SurveyI want to quit the nursery school #PrincipalJob change activitiesCareer change consultationCareer Advisor#JobChangeThings#JobChange# January productionNew Year#IWantToConnectWithChildcareWorkers#NurseryTeacherDailyLifeProduction
♬ New Year’s classic song “New Year” loose and weak(1140585) – tomopoly
Roll up a strip of cardboard, dip it in ink, and stamp it! It creates a pattern that looks like a shishimai (lion dance) design.
Stamp several times on green construction paper to make the pattern, and once the ink dries, cut it into the shape of an ema plaque.
Then, glue on facial parts made from construction paper.
After the shishimai is finished, paste it onto a postcard to complete your New Year’s card! When making the face, choose steps that suit the child’s age, like drawing the eyes and teeth with crayons.
If there’s blank space on the postcard, try adding New Year-themed stickers or drawing some pictures.
Zodiac illustrations using tape cores
@hoikushi_bank Zodiac illustrations using tape cores#IllustrationSimple illustrationZodiac (Chinese zodiac)Zodiac Animal Illustrations#New Year's cardNew Year’s greeting card illustration
♪ Yes, gladly — Kent from this side
It’s an idea where you use the core of a tape roll to draw a face outline and then turn it into various animals.
It’s really fun to watch a single round shape transform into illustrations of different animals like a horse, sheep, monkey, and chicken.
You can use the circle as the full outline, or just use part of it.
Since you can’t erase unwanted lines if you start with a pen, begin by sketching in pencil and then trace over it with a pen afterward.
Cute for New Year’s cards too! Daruma-chan
Here’s an idea for New Year’s decorations, and since daruma dolls are also a common motif for New Year’s cards, why not use this idea to make a daruma-themed New Year’s card? Make a daruma out of construction paper and attach it to gold design paper along with some flowers.
Simply sticking that onto the front of the card will give it a festive feel.
However, if you’re attaching it to a New Year’s card, be sure to make the daruma as a flat piece.
Create the face with any expression you like, using stickers or pens.
Let’s make plum blossoms!
@hoikushi_worker Easy with origami! New Year’s kirigami (plum blossoms) We’re introducing a January craft perfect for early childhood settings: “New Year’s kirigami (plum blossoms)” using origami. The moment you open the cut paper is so exciting—what shape will it be? Try arranging different cutting and folding styles and have fun! ================================= We also have a LINE account★ Get exclusive updates by adding us as a friend♪ Check our profile @hoiku_column! ================================= Do you have any concerns in your childcare setting? Even if it’s not related to this post, tell us about your challenges or worries in the comments! Let’s exchange ideas freely♪ ================================#Childcare Crafting#Nursery School Craft#Wall Creationwall surface#Recital#HomeCraftsNew Year’s craftPapercraft#papercraft#kidscraftsOrigami playOrigamiorigami#OuchiMonte#AtHomeMontessoriEarly childhood education materialsChildcare#Nursery schoolNursery teacher / Childcare worker#First year as a nursery teacher#KindergartenKindergarten TeacherKindergarten teacherAspiring childcare worker#NurseryTeacherInTrainingNursery school teacher#NurseryTeacherThingsChildcare student#IWantToConnectWithChildcareWorkersNursery Teacher Worker ================================
♪ Original Song – [Sharing Useful Info for Nursery Teachers!] Hoikushi Worker – [Sharing Useful Info for Nursery Teachers!] Hoikushi Worker
Let’s incorporate the plum blossom—famous as a New Year’s flower—into your New Year’s card design.
Here’s a paper-cutting idea you can enjoy like a craft project.
Fold origami paper following the set steps, draw two curved lines, and cut along them with scissors.
Then slowly unfold the paper, and your plum blossom is complete.
There are only seven folds in total, and two of those are just to make crease lines.
It’s an idea that’s easy for children to make, so please give it a try.
Create plum blossoms in various sizes and colors to make a vibrant New Year’s card.
New Year’s Cards Made with Onions
@atelier.ukippa Using onions, we made New Year’s cards that kids can easily create in bulk! Draw patterns with a black Posca marker and the tiger is complete 🐯 Acrylic paint from the 100-yen shop works just fine.Life with childrenCrafts with Childrenwork#New Year's cardChildren's New Year's Card#VegetableStamp
♬ Itadakimasu – COINN
Cut an onion in half, paint the cut surface with paint, and stamp it.
Use that as the outline, then draw a face with a pen to turn it into an animal illustration.
Even with the same onion, each cross-section is different, and the way the paint goes on will change the look of the stamp.
In the video, they also use a triangular stamp to depict a tiger, but by changing the shape of the ears, you can represent various animals.
If you stack the shapes to make a snowman, it would make a wintery New Year’s card.
Let your imagination grow and try creating a perfect New Year’s card design using an onion stamp.
Origami horse you can make with a single sheet

Perfect for the Year of the Horse! Here’s an idea for making a horse’s face out of origami.
New Year’s cards are often associated with illustrations and drawings, but if you create one by attaching an origami piece, it adds depth and turns it into a very special card.
This design uses a simple series of folds along the creases and can be made with just one sheet of origami paper.
You’ll need a craft knife to make the mane, so have it ready before you start.
Use black round stickers for the eyes and draw the nostrils with a pen.
For New Year’s cards! Cushion sheet printmaking

Here’s an easy way to make beautiful New Year’s postcards using cushion foam sheets.
First, take an A4-size clear file, cut off the edge, then cut it in half twice down the middle.
Trim the pieces into postcard shapes.
Next, cut the cushion foam sheet into zodiac shapes, letters, etc., and sketch your design on the backing paper with a permanent marker.
After sticking on the cushion foam pieces, color them with a water-based pen.
Dampen the postcard with a cloth, stamp it, and you’re done! You can usually stamp about three in a row.
Because cushion foam sheets can be repositioned, give it a try!


