[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 decoration ideas you can use in childcare (21–30)
How to make cute Seven Lucky Gods daruma dolls!
Perfect for wall decorations! Let’s make some cute Seven Lucky Daruma.
You’ll need construction paper cut to 6×15 cm and white paper for the face base.
First, create a glue tab along one of the short edges, then fold the construction paper in half to make a crease.
Next, align the crease with the glue tab fold and fold the paper again, then cut slits from the folded side with scissors.
The slit section becomes the body, and the remaining section is the head.
Glue the tab at the boundary between the body and head, draw a face on the white paper, cut it into an oval, and attach it.
Finally, fold in the corners of the construction paper to round them off, and you’re done! Make seven of them inspired by the Seven Lucky Gods and display them.
Daruma doll made from a toilet paper roll core
The Daruma doll, which gets back up no matter how many times it falls, is displayed at New Year’s to pray for a year of health, safety, and good fortune.
This Daruma, perfect for the New Year, can be easily made from a toilet paper roll.
Cut the roll in half, then trim the four corners with scissors to round the shape.
Cover it with origami paper from the top, and snip the corners to fold them inward as you go.
Make the eyes, mouth, and patterns with origami paper and stick them on—using round stickers is also recommended.
Display your finished Daruma and welcome a wonderful New Year!
[For 3-year-olds] Winter craft activities and bulletin board display ideas you can use in childcare (31–40)
Make a stylish snowman!
We usually imagine snowmen as pure white, but let’s get creative and turn them into stylish art.
First, fold a sheet of white origami paper and make several cuts.
The key is to cut it so that when you unfold the paper, it forms a round shape.
You’ll get a circular shape with beautiful patterns.
Children will be excited to see how the snowman’s pattern changes depending on where they cut.
Use the patterned cutouts to make the snowman.
If you stick it onto black cardstock, you’ll have a lovely winter craft.
Easy! Long-tailed Tit Origami
Adorably round! The long-tailed tit known as the Shima-enaga, a wild bird native to Hokkaido.
In recent years, we often see goods and items featuring its cute appearance as a motif.
Here’s an idea to make a Shima-enaga using a single sheet of origami paper, plus a pen and glue.
Once you’ve folded the creases, the base is done.
Making the wings and tail seems like something you could enjoy while teaching and learning together with friends or teachers! It could be fun to give it a smiling expression, too.
If you display the finished pieces lined up on a branch, like real Shima-enaga keeping warm together, both kids and adults are sure to feel soothed.
Snowman Fashion Show
How about a snowman fashion show as a winter craft idea that lets children’s rich expressive abilities shine? They can decorate white circular origami pieces that serve as the snowman’s body parts.
Have them glue on anything they like—make a scarf with yarn, use buttons or ribbons to create the facial features, and more.
When the children work on it, it’s best to prepare colorful paper and stickers.
Give this indoor, winter-themed craft a try!
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.
Let’s make oden toppings!
Here’s a craft perfect for the cold winter: making oden ingredients! Let’s make oden together—kids love it.
Wrap a toilet paper roll core with tissue paper, then dab on brown paint with a cotton swab to turn it into chikuwa.
Make a bag from yellow tissue paper, stuff it with facial tissue, and twist-tie the top with a chenille stem to make a mochi pouch.
Fold origami paper into a triangle and add patterns to transform it into konnyaku.
Using everyday materials, you can easily create oden ingredients.
It’s an activity that 3-year-olds can enjoy, so give it a try!
