[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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[For 3-year-olds] Ideas for winter crafts and wall decorations usable in childcare (121–130)
Snowman wreath
A Christmas wreath, known as a classic ornament for walls and doors.
As a winter-perfect crafting idea, why not make one with a snowman motif? By cutting out the inside of a paper plate and turning it over, you can create the snowman’s shape.
Use origami paper, pipe cleaners, and beads to make the body parts and a scarf.
If you plan to hang it in a window, add colored cellophane to create a sparkling, festive wreath.
Pre-cutting the paper plates will make it easier for children to get started.
A spinning top made with torn-paper collage
You can make a simple spinning top using the bottom of a milk carton.
Why not try playing with a top you made yourself, a game that’s also popular during New Year celebrations? First, cut off the bottom of the milk carton, let it dry, and paste torn pieces of washi paper onto it.
Origami made of washi paper is easy to handle.
Next, split the tip of a straw into four, spread the pieces out, and glue it onto the washi-covered surface.
Decorating the straw itself with masking tape makes it cute, too.
Once the glue dries, your hand-spun top is complete! It’ll be a hit when everyone plays together.
Resist art gloves
Let’s make cozy mittens using a crayon-resist technique.
First, as preparation, draw mitten-shaped outlines on construction paper.
Next, have the children draw patterns within the mitten shapes using a white crayon.
When they paint over it with their favorite colors, the patterns they drew will appear.
After the paint dries, cut out the mitten shapes from the paper with scissors.
Finally, add a wrist decoration and a pom-pom to finish.
It will be fun to see what kinds of patterns the children come up with.
Fluffy Heart Stencil
The heart stencil is super cute! Here’s a heart-themed craft that’s great for 3-year-olds.
First, draw a heart shape on construction paper or cardstock and cut out the inside.
After cutting it out, color the edge of the heart with conte or pastel crayons.
Place the stencil on a sheet of paper and gently rub in circles with your finger inside the opening—the heart will appear like magic.
It’s also fun to layer hearts of different sizes or combine your favorite colors, so I highly recommend trying that.
The finished stencil looks adorable just as it is on the paper, but you can also try cutting it into your favorite shapes—get creative!
[For 3-year-olds] Winter craft activities and wall display ideas usable in childcare (131–140)
Penguins and igloos
Making a cute penguin in an igloo is a perfect idea for three-year-olds who are starting to express themselves in their own way.
For preparation, all you need to set up in advance are the penguin parts.
Leave tasks the children can try—like gluing, drawing the penguin’s facial expressions, and cutting out the igloo frame—to them.
Even when using similar parts, the placement and details they add create different expressions, which is the fun of children’s art.
Let’s make and display penguins with lots of different expressions!
A cute crumpled ogre mask
Enjoy the fun, crinkly feel of scrunching paper! Here’s a recommended oni (demon) mask craft for 3-year-olds.
First, crumple a brown envelope into a ball.
Open the envelope and put crumpled newspaper inside.
Add enough so the envelope puffs up a little, then seal it.
Next, make the oni’s facial parts with construction paper.
Stick round stickers onto the hair piece, then attach the hair, horn pieces, and face pieces to the envelope.
Draw any eyes you like on the eye pieces with a pen.
Cut construction paper into long, thin strips and make them into loops.
Add a rubber band so the size can be adjusted, and you’re done!
Snowman with a straw stamp
Here’s a fun snowman craft using straw stamps that I recommend for three-year-olds.
It’s a great way for children to experience the winter season! First, lightly sketch the shapes of the snowman and hat on construction paper, then have the children cut them out with scissors.
Next, glue the snowman pieces onto a background sheet and draw the face with crayons.
After that, make small cuts at the tip of a straw and spread the ends, dip it in white paint, and stamp around the snowman.
It creates patterns that look like snowflakes and is super fun!
