Lovely childcare

[For 3-year-olds] Winter craft activities and bulletin board decoration ideas for use in childcare

20 years of experience as a nursery teacher / kindergarten teacherhiyoko sensei
I’m Hiyoko-sensei, a former nursery school teacher from Hyogo Prefecture. Ever since I was five, my dream was to become a childcare worker, and before I knew it, 20 years had passed since I achieved that dream. Through singing and playing with the children, I kept working with the spirit of someone in their twenties, even as I increasingly felt my physical limits year by year (haha). From here on, I’d like to share helpful information carefully and thoughtfully, drawing on my on-site experience.

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.

[For 3-year-olds] Winter craft activities and wall decoration ideas useful for childcare (41–50)

Twisted paper streamer made of decorative tissue paper

@hoiku.labo
Perfect for New Year’s: a twisted shimenawa made with flower paper 🎶 ⭐️Detailed steps and tips are in the comments⭐️Childcare Nursery teacher / Childcare worker Kindergarten Teacher Certified Childcare and Education Teacher #Nursery school #Kindergarten #Kodomoen #NurseryTeacherThings #IWantToConnectWithChildcareWorkers Life with children January #Shimenawa #ShimenawaDecoration New Year New Year tissue paper New Year’s craft
♬ Are You Ready – Deejay Meddy

A perfect New Year’s craft activity where you can make an authentic shimenawa just by twisting tissue paper.

The steps are simple: roll two colors of tissue paper into thin strands, twist them together, make two of the same, and form a ring.

The twisting process is great fine-motor practice as kids learn to control their strength, and they’ll also enjoy choosing the colors.

Showing a real shimenawa or a photo beforehand helps them visualize the result and complete the project smoothly.

Add New Year-themed decorations like pine or snakes at the end to instantly create a festive, eye-catching shimenawa.

It’s easy yet full of seasonal charm—highly recommended for parents and children to enjoy together over the New Year.

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Fluffy extra-large kagami mochi!

[January Wall Decoration] Fluffy Extra-Large Kagami Mochi [Easy Craft] Kagami mochi

Fluffy extra-large kagami mochi!

A festive wall decoration perfect for New Year’s that you can easily make with tissue paper.

Stack white tissue paper in circles to create a fluffy, oversized kagami mochi that instantly brings New Year vibes to your room.

You can also get creative by making a mandarin with tissue paper and adding decorative parts with origami or craft paper.

All you need are simple materials—scissors, glue, adhesive, a pen, double-sided tape, plus tissue paper and poster paper you can pick up at a 100-yen shop—so it’s easy to tackle even during a busy season.

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Lovely translucence! Easy New Year’s decoration

Easy New Year’s decorations to make with kids! The translucent look is beautiful.

Lovely translucence! Easy New Year’s decoration

This is a beautiful seasonal craft that showcases the glossy shine and clarity unique to resin.

The video carefully demonstrates the process of tinting resin and pouring it into plum blossom shapes, and it also discusses tips for coloring and suggestions for substitute materials, making it approachable even for beginners.

As an educational element, it introduces how mixing colors nurtures color sense and how fine finger movements can promote brain development—resulting in a project that’s “fun to make and delightful to display.” A cute New Year’s craft with a satisfying sense of accomplishment.

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Cute! How to make mandarin oranges

@yuumaama2022
How to Make Mikan (Mandarin Oranges)Translation child Childcare #mikan #Child'sToy
♪ Original song – Yuumaaama – Yuumaaama

One of the classic winter fruits, mikan (mandarins), can also be made using familiar materials.

Crumple up some newspaper and wrap it with two or three sheets of orange tissue paper.

Put the tissue-wrapped newspaper into a small plastic bag, add a leaf, and you’re done.

Even four-year-olds with their small hands should be able to crumple the newspaper and wrap it with tissue to make a mikan.

They’ll probably enjoy squeezing and crumpling the newspaper tightly.

With a slight change of shape and color, you could even turn it into a strawberry.

It also sounds fun to try making various fruits by changing the tissue paper colors and more.

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Cute decoupage gloves

@hoikushisatomi
Creation Using Techniques: Decalcomania GlovesSatomi-sensei Nursery teacher / Childcare worker Kids will love it Production #OuchiMonte Life with children
Original Song – [Childcare Creator] Satomi-sensei – [Childcare Creator] Satomi-sensei

Are you familiar with decalcomania? It’s a technique where you press together paint applied to paper and transfer the accidental patterns that form.

Let’s use this to make decorations for gloves.

First, fold a sheet of colored construction paper in half and apply paint however you like on one side.

Once you’ve applied the paint, press the other half down to transfer the pattern.

Then cut the paper you’ve made into the shape of a glove.

Decorating the glove opening with cotton or similar materials adds a cute, three-dimensional look.

You can also glue it onto a backing sheet and add yarn or other embellishments.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Cute bubble-patterned! How to make a daruma doll

http://www.lemon8-app.com

Here’s a craft idea using bubble wrap, which is handy as cushioning material.

First, paint the bubble wrap with red paint and transfer the pattern onto red construction paper.

Cut it into a daruma shape with scissors and paste it onto a base.

Add facial features made from construction paper and decorative patterns made from gold origami.

Fill the empty space on the base with flower pieces, and it’s done.

The bubble wrap pattern looks like polka dots and is cute, and the texture makes the daruma appear to pop out.

I think it would also look great in colorful variations.

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Just roll it up and stick it on! Easy-peasy kagami mochi

https://www.tiktok.com/@hoiku.labo/video/7314907471255047425

Let’s try making New Year’s kagami mochi out of tissue paper.

It’s just rolling and gluing, so it’s great for small children, too.

First, glue a paper sanpō (offering stand) that you cut from construction paper onto a backing sheet.

Next, tear the tissue paper into vertical strips.

Spread glue on top of the sanpō, then crumple the tissue paper into little balls and stick them on.

Finally, glue on a round “daidai” orange cut from construction paper to finish.

Drawing a little face on the orange is cute, too.

Display it in your entryway or living room to create a lovely New Year’s atmosphere.

Give it a try!

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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